Does Home Insurance Cover a Leaking Shower?

Under very specific circumstances, you may be able to claim on home insurance for bathroom leaks and leaking showers, especially if you use certain clauses. Here's what you need to know.
Written by Elan Mcafee
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
Homeowners insurance might, maybe, sometimes, cover your leaking shower.
A leaking shower can mean far more problems than the annoyance of a persistent drip. The water damage from leaky pipes could rot hardwood floors or even gradually cause structural damage.
As neither plumbing bills nor remodeling is cheap, it's natural to wonder if you can make a home insurance claim to repair your leaking shower and similar bathroom leaks. So read on, here is
insurance
broker
Jerry's
guide to whether insurance covers a leaking shower.
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Leaky showers and homeowners insurance

Homeowners insurance is intended to cover unexpected damages and losses. Leaking showers and other plumbing issues don’t always merit this coverage, despite being
common household disasters
.
Under most circumstances, if a leaking shower is caused by a sudden burst in pipes or other disaster with a quick onset, you can claim it on your home insurance. If, however, the leaky shower is a result of a gradual issue in your plumbing, you'll probably pay for the repairs out of your pocket.
Sometimes home insurance coverage for plumbing leaks falls into a gray area between preventable-yet-neglected and completely unexpected. So, it's worth examining your home insurance policy before forking over significant cash to plumbers and contractors.
As you go over your policy’s wording with a fine-toothed comb, here are three clauses that may be your saving grace.
Key Takeaway: Check your homeowners insurance policy to see if the damage would be considered unexpected or preventable.

Dwelling coverage

While the
dwelling coverage clause
does not pay for plumbing repairs, it does pay for structural damage to your home. If water damage from your leaking shower or other bathroom leaks has compromised the integrity of your walls, floors, or roof, for instance, your policy might pick up the bill to fix these major issues.
This can be a game changer, releasing you from personal responsibility for ultra-costly repairs that threaten the very foundation of your home.
MORE: Be sure to review your insurance policies before a hurricane strikes

Property coverage

If water damage left your furniture irrevocably soggy or destroyed your favorite electronic gadgetry, then you can claim on home insurance for leaking shower casualties under the property coverage clause.
This extra protection can reimburse you for any property lost or damaged by your leaking shower. Property can mean anything from basic toiletries to anything of value in your bathroom.
Be aware that there are often limits to how much the property coverage clause will cover, especially for items like jewelry. Read all of the fine print before becoming too celebratory over the replacement of your bathroom’s sound system that you enjoy while singing in the shower.
MORE: How much personal property coverage do you need?

Additional living expenses (ALE) coverage

If the aftermath from your leaking shower or other bathroom leaks displaces you from your home, additional living expenses coverage will reimburse you for hotel stays, eating out, and other travel expenses.
ALE coverage cushions the blow of having to be away from home while damage is repaired. It is not, however, an excuse to claim on home insurance for leaking shower issues and have an
extravagant family vacation
. Expenses are often investigated, and it's not worth the risk of being found guilty of insurance fraud.
If you do not currently have any of these three clauses in your homeowner’s insurance policy, you might consider adding them. While these additions may increase your monthly homeowner’s insurance premium, they could help you save
considerable costs from plumbing issues
that arise in the future.
Don't expect your homeowner’s insurance agent to alert you to the presence of clauses that can help cover damages caused by your leaking shower. Be proactive, and
examine your policy’s language
closely. Then, you can contact your agent to claim on home insurance for leaking shower expenses and make an informed case to be reimbursed for part, if not all, of the expenses.
Key Takeaway: Carefully look over each clause to determine what parts of the damage to your home can be covered by insurance.

FAQs

Does home insurance cover water leaks?

Your home insurance policy may cover water damage from leaks, but this depends on whether the damage is gradual or sudden. Gradual damage is often considered preventable, so insurance won't cover you in those cases.

How much does insurance pay for water damage?

The average claim for water damage expenses is around $7,000. The actual amount your carrier will pay for is highly dependent on your particular issue though, and they certainly won't want to pay for more than you need.
If you're looking to save on your insurance, try bundling your car and home insurance with
Jerry
: a personal insurance broker that lives in your pocket. Once you download the Jerry app, just answer a handful of questions and you’ll get to compare quotes from top companies, paperwork free, hassle free!
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