Water damage is one of the most intrusive types of damage that can occur in a home. It seeps into porous surfaces, damages precious hardwood floors, and affects nearly everything it touches. When water damage from a leak happens in your home, it can take many hours and much heartache to clean up all up.
What happens if the leak is caused by aging or deteriorated plumbing in your home? Will insurance cover corroded or deteriorated pipes?
Insurance broker Jerry
has you covered with this guide on cast iron pipe coverage. Sources of water intrusion
For comprehensive homeowners insurance claims, coverage depends on the source of the water and the circumstances that led to the leak.
Sudden losses originating inside your home are often covered. Roof leaks, for example, are frequently covered by homeowners insurance, but floodwaters that enter your home aren’t typically covered, nor are sewer backup and sump overflow
. There are riders or endorsements available from insurers to cover these situations at an extra cost, but they are usually rather inexpensive. Water leaks from plumbing are a different story. The source of the leak is a significant factor, as is the nature of the leak.
Comprehensive insurance covers burst pipes and accidents
A home insurance policy covers repairs when an accidental or sudden leak occurs.
For example, if the water supply hose to your kitchen taps unexpectedly blows apart and soaks everything from your cabinets through your floor to the basement ceiling, it’s likely a situation where insurance will cover it.
Or if your laundry machines begin dumping sudsy water all over your floors and flooding your family room, it’s the type of concern that insurance tends to cover.
Does insurance cover corroded cast iron pipes?
But when the leak originates from items specifically listed as ineligible, or it was due to lack of maintenance or wear and tear
, don’t get your hopes up for insurance coverage. Whether the issue is minor or major, you’ll find yourself footing the bill. That’s the case for corroded pipes. Cast iron drain lines eventually corrode and rust, leaking septic fluids into your home if they are not taken care of. Supply and drain lines that deteriorate and develop a leak are a gap in coverage since the issue is due to age, lack of maintenance, or wear and tear. No matter how severe the leak becomes, insurance does not apply.
Not only is the leaky pipe not covered for repairs, but any associated damage
due to the leak is the homeowner’s responsibility as well. Key Takeaway: Cast iron pipes are prone to corrode, so they won't be covered by insurance. You'll have to pay for any damages they cause too.
Tips to avoid major water catastrophes from corroded cast iron pipes
To escape the clutches of a wallet-busting repair bill for water damage, here are a few tips.
Set a day on your calendar annually to check plumbing fixtures and lines for leaks.
Repair even the most minor problems with water lines and drains.
Use a water softener to prevent calcified buildup from corroding plumbing.
Shut off water supply to unused fixtures.
FAQ
Does homeowners insurance cover leaky pipes?
If your cast iron pipes aren't corroded but just leaky (or if you're worried about other leaky pipes), they might be covered by homeowner's insurance. This goes back to the concept of sudden damage. If the leaky pipes damage your home as a result of a sudden, unpreventable situation, your policy should cover the damages.
However, if the leaky pipes are a result of your negligence, you will be held accountable and homeowner's insurance won't cover a penny.
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