When it comes to emergency plumbing problems, there’s a lot to think about. First, you need to call a plumber. Then, you need to assess damage and make sure none of your possessions are in danger. Once you’ve recovered from the initial shock, however, a new concern arises: how you’ll pay for it.
Nobody wants to pay for something they shouldn’t have to pay for, like a disaster or unavoidable accident. That’s where homeowners insurance comes in. Understandably, there’s a lot of confusion around homeowner’s insurance and plumbing. We wanted to clear at least some of that misunderstanding up as clearly as possible. Here are straightforward answers to your questions about plumbing and insurance:
What exactly is homeowners insurance?
A standard homeowners insurance policy insures your home’s structure and the catalogued belongings within. A typical policy covers damages incurred by specific types of disaster or accidents. They may also cover bills incurred when if someone else is injured while visiting your home.
There are three main subsets of homeowner insurance coverage: dwelling coverage, property coverage, and ALE coverage. In case of an emergency, dwelling coverage insures the structure of your home and its built-in appliances. Property coverage protects your personal properties. ALE coverage, or Additional Living Expense coverage, helps account for costs of being displaced from your residence after damage. Every policy is different. Most insurance companies offer packages that include one or all of these clauses, depending on what you’re looking for.
Does homeowners insurance cover plumbing problems?
Yes. That said, all policies are different. The main thing to know is that NO homeowners insurance policy will cover problems that resulted from negligence. The whole purpose of homeowner’s insurance is to cover individuals in case of unforeseeable accidents. Negligence does not count as an accident.
This policy is just as applicable, even if you don’t know that there are problems with your home’s plumbing. Basically, that means it’s very important to get regular maintenance visits from your local plumber. You should also practice proactive plumbing protection. Keep your drains clean, get your water heater checked on a consistent schedule, etc. The more preventative maintenance you practice, the better the chance that your insurance covers your plumbing problems.
How do adjusters determine if my plumbing problem is covered?
When you submit a claim for water damage due to a plumbing emergency, the adjuster will assess a few different things:
First, they’ll evaluate the location of the damaged pipes or other alternate sources of damage. They’ll examine whether the damage listed in the claim was from a new leak or an old one. They’ll look for signs that this could have been avoided, such as rust or mineral damage. Finally, they’ll evaluate whether or not the damage occurred due to simple wear-and-tear, or because of an accident or emergency. Their job is to determine if you, as the homeowner, could have reasonably prevented the problem. If not, then you’ll receive financial compensation.
When it comes to plumbing and water damage, homeowners insurance is fairly simple. As long as you take care of your plumbing, your insurance should cover you for any emergencies that occur.
When plumbing emergencies do happen, the pros here at Ben Franklin Plumbing has you covered. Call us as soon as you have a problem, and we’ll do everything we can to limit the damage.