Updated: August 27, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Homeowners insurance typically covers sudden and accidental plumbing damages, such as burst pipes and accidental overflow.
Homeowners insurance doesn't cover plumbing issues related to wear and tear or neglect, such as gradual leaks and corrosion.
Regular maintenance and timely repairs will help prevent plumbing issues and ensure they remain covered by insurance.
Homeowner insurance does not usually cover plumbing repairs unless under specific conditions, such as sudden and unforeseen water damage due to covered perils. Check your policy details and consult your provider to know what type of water damage your home insurance covers.
Homeowners insurance covers plumbing issues caused by sudden and accidental damage, such as burst pipes caused by freezing temperatures or fire. This includes scenarios where the plumbing system is damaged by a covered peril outlined in the insurance policy, such as a natural disaster or unexpected malfunction.
Coverage applies if pipes burst suddenly due to freezing temperatures or unexpected blockages, leading to immediate water damage. For instance, if a pipe freezes despite proper insulation and subsequently bursts, your policy will typically cover the resulting water damage to floors and walls.
If an appliance or fixture suddenly malfunctions and causes an overflow, such as a washing machine flooding a laundry room, this type of water damage is covered. However, this doesn't include overflows from lack of maintenance.
Plumbing damage resulting from fire, hail or another type of natural disaster is typically covered. For example, if a fire warps piping and causes leaks, your policy's dwelling cover will cover the repairs to the plumbing system.
This includes situations where a water heater suddenly splits or a main water line unexpectedly bursts under pressure. Such incidents are covered because they occur without warning and aren't due to predictable wear and tear.
Homeowners insurance doesn't cover plumbing issues related to gradual wear and tear or lack of maintenance.
Policies exclude coverage for problems you could have prevented through regular inspections and timely repairs. This includes water damage that accumulates over time, as well as issues that result from homeowner negligence or failure to maintain the property.
If a plumbing leak develops slowly and causes damage over time, such as a slowly dripping connection under a sink, your insurer won't cover the repairs.
Over time, pipes and plumbing systems degrade due to corrosion or rust. Damage from such deterioration is considered a maintenance issue and isn't covered by homeowners insurance.
Unless specifically added as a rider or endorsement, standard policies don't cover damage from sewer backups. This can include situations where sewage water backs up into the home, causing damage to floors and walls. Taking steps to prevent a costly sewage backup in your home is important because repairs can be expensive without coverage.
Mold resulting from a slow leak or persistent humidity in areas like bathrooms or under sinks isn't covered. Insurance companies view this as a preventable issue that develops due to inadequate ventilation or delayed leak repairs.
If damage occurs because the homeowner attempted to repair the plumbing themselves and did so improperly, the resulting issues aren't covered. This includes scenarios where a DIY repair on a pipe joint fails, leading to water damage.
Standard homeowners insurance won’t cover every plumbing-related problem. To fill in the gaps, insurers offer optional endorsements, sometimes called add-ons or riders, that provide extra protection. These can be worth considering if your home has older plumbing, sits in a flood-prone area, or you simply want more peace of mind.
Below are a few endorsements to consider:
Homeowners insurance can be a valuable safety net when plumbing issues cause unexpected damage. But not every situation calls for filing a claim. Sometimes it makes sense to involve your insurer, while other times handling the repair out of pocket is the smarter choice. Understanding when to file a claim helps you protect your home without paying more than you need to.
If you ever need to start filing a claim for plumbing damage, preparation can make the process smoother and improve your chances of approval. Begin by taking clear photos and videos of the affected area immediately, capturing the problem's source and any resulting damage. Keep copies of plumber reports, repair estimates and receipts, since insurers often request detailed documentation before processing a claim.
It’s also smart to maintain a record of your home’s plumbing upkeep. Notes from past inspections, proof of timely repairs and even receipts for replacement parts show your insurer that you’ve taken steps to prevent problems. This history strengthens your claim and can help you avoid disputes about whether the damage was due to sudden events or long-term neglect.
Regular maintenance prevents plumbing problems and protects your home's infrastructure from unexpected repair costs. Inspections and routine maintenance identify potential problems before they escalate. Addressing minor issues promptly extends your plumbing system's life and ensures efficiency.
Conduct a thorough inspection of all visible plumbing, including pipes, faucets and fixtures, at least once or twice a year. Look for signs of wear and tear, leaks or corrosion.
Avoid pouring fats, oils and food scraps down the drain. Use drain guards to catch hair in showers and bathtubs and clean them regularly.
Wrap exposed pipes with insulation to prevent freezing and bursting in colder temperatures. This is particularly important in attics, basements and other unheated areas.
Even a minor leak can lead to significant water damage over time. Repair dripping faucets and running toilets as soon as you notice them to prevent larger issues.
Use leak detectors near water heaters, washing machines and under sinks to alert you to moisture that could indicate a leak.
Familiarize yourself with the location of your home's main water shut-off valve. Turning off the water quickly in an emergency can minimize damage.
If you have hard water, consider installing a water softener to reduce mineral buildup in your pipes, which can cause blockages and increased wear.
Early detection of plumbing problems prevents costly repairs and extensive damage. Watch for these warning signs:
Taking immediate action after noticing warning signs prevents catastrophic failures that your home insurance won't cover.
Homeowners insurance covers plumbing repairs if the damage results from sudden or accidental occurrences, such as fire or burst pipes. But your insurance won't pay for repairs from wear and tear or lack of maintenance. Proactive maintenance and regular inspections are important to preventing issues your insurer won't cover under standard homeowner insurance policies.
Many homeowners have questions about what their policies will and will not cover, especially when it comes to plumbing. We provide some answers to common concerns below.
Home insurance covers plumbing in specific scenarios where damage is sudden and accidental, such as burst pipes due to freezing. But it doesn't cover issues from neglect or gradual deterioration, like slow leaks or corrosion. Each policy has its own terms that outline covered perils, so check with your insurance provider for details.
Homeowners insurance covers broken drain pipes under a slab if the damage results from covered perils. However, it won't cover repairs if the damage results from normal wear and tear or foundation settling and shifting. Review your policy specifics or speak with your insurance agent for detailed coverage information.
Homeowners insurance doesn't cover water main replacement if it's the main water supply managed by your municipality. Since it's not part of your property, it doesn't fall under your policy's coverage. However, if you caused damage to the main water supply line, your liability coverage protects you from charges. You can add specialized service line coverage to your existing policy to protect water service lines, but it won't extend to the water main.
Homeowners insurance may cover the plumber’s work if it’s part of repairing damage from a covered event, but it won’t cover routine maintenance or minor repairs.
Some policies cover water damage caused by tree roots intruding into pipes, but they usually won’t cover repairing or replacing the damaged sewer line itself without an add-on.
It’s possible. Insurers may increase your rate after any claim, so it’s worth weighing the repair costs against your deductible before filing.
Why Trust MoneyGeek?
MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from multiple insurance providers across the U.S. using a profile that reflects the average homeowner. By considering different locations and companies, we aim to give a reliable estimate of what homeowners can expect to pay. This shows it’s important to compare rates.
Methodology
MoneyGeek evaluated homeowners insurance carriers incorporating insights and premiums from the official databases of Quadrant Information Services.
Homeowner Profile
For our analysis, we created a sample homeowner profile with the following characteristics:
Homeowners Insurance Coverage Details
Unless otherwise specified, we used the following coverage limits to collect quotes for our comparison:
We also compiled data for policies with broader coverage to determine the best companies for insuring expensive homes, upping limits to $1 million in dwelling coverage, $500,000 in personal property coverage and $1 million in liability coverage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
