Home Insurance & Plumbing: What Are You Covered For?

Whether inherited, bought, or rented, homes are a testament to one’s years of hard work and the greatest source of comfort. They are never just a physical structure. Rather, they are a place where almost everything and everyone we value come together. That said, we all need home insurance to secure this treasure. 

It’s common knowledge that home insurance covers the building itself, personal belongings, and even legal costs of injuries acquired on your property. But what about a blocked toilet, a broken sewer, and everything related to plumbing often deemed too minor for insurance coverage?

Clear your mind from doubts and home plumbing-related stress with this home insurance covered in plumbing guide! 

When does home insurance cover plumbing services?

Klank-klank-splash!

Have you been enduring broken pipes just because you’re unsure if your home insurance covers plumbing services? Please don’t wait until it’s too late! Here are a few instances where your home insurance can shoulder your plumbing expenses and pay for damages.

• Broken or burst pipes
• Accidental water leaks
• Roof leak
• Overflowing toilets, bathtubs and sinks (blockage must be within the property’s plumbing system)
• Damaged appliances and house systems due to plumbing issues
• Plumbing systems damaged by fire, flooding, or storms

Insurance coverage usually depends on the insurer’s policy. However, in most cases, homeowners’ insurance provides reimbursement for accidental and sudden home plumbing problems. These include the damages your house and property incurred from the plumbing issues and the cost of plumbing works. Just work with certified plumbers, like Link Plumbing, to assist with your claims.  

Conversely, plumbing issues caused by poor maintenance and other preventable situations are usually excluded from insurance coverage. 

Specifically, your plumbing troubles are secured by the following insurance coverage types:

Property Coverage

When pipes suddenly burst and water starts flooding the house, personal belongings like clothes, furniture, and appliances will likely be damaged or destroyed. Fortunately, the property coverage of your homeowner’s insurance can reimburse you for replacing or repairing your broken personal properties.

Dwelling Coverage

Has the leak damaged your walls? Compromised your ceiling and floors?

Fret not! Home insurance has a specific coverage for that—dwelling!

This is the core of a home insurance plan. It secures your home’s walls, roofing foundation, built-in appliances, and other essential structural components. Essentially, dwelling coverage guarantees that you can repair or reconstruct your home in case of damage or destruction caused by specified risks, including plumbing issues!

Additional Living Expenses (ALE) Coverage

What if your home becomes uninhabitable due to plumbing issues?

The Additional Living Expenses Coverage or ALE coverage got you covered! If your house has to be vacated for repairs and you have to temporarily live somewhere else, ALE will pay for the additional living expenses, such as rent, hotel stays, dining out, and laundry services, bridging the gap between your usual living costs and the new ones. 

Pipeline

One of the most common plumbing issues homeowners face is burst pipes. Whether due to aging pipes or accidental damage, burst pipes can cause extensive water damage to your home. Fortunately, most standard home insurance policies cover damage resulting from burst pipes. So, don’t hesitate to contact your local plumbers, like Link Plumbing, for help.

This coverage typically includes repairing and replacing damaged pipes and reimbursing for damages to personal property and home structures. However, coverage specifics may vary, so reviewing your policy and understanding any limitations or exclusions is crucial.

Water Damage

Although most home insurance covers water damages due to plumbing troubles, the extent of coverage may vary. Some policies limit the protection only to sudden and accidental plumbing issues, such as burst pipes and faulty hot water systems, excluding gradual water damage like slow leaks. So, carefully review your policy and discuss concerns with your insurer before you sign up for anything. 

Regardless of the policy, you can always strengthen your claims with proper documentation of the damages and repairs. 

Main Sewer 

Dealing with sewage systems can be tricky, as many entities, including utility companies, are involved if sewers bust. The responsibility and insurance coverage depend on where and how the issue happened. 

• Outside the Property 

If the problem with the sewer line occurs beyond the property boundaries, the utility company must address and resolve the issue.

• Within the Property

 Suppose the sewer issue is within the property. In that case, the repairs are the homeowners’ responsibility but may still be reimbursed by home insurance, given that it’s established to be sudden or accidental. 

• Due to Poor Maintenence 

If the sewer line problem is due to poor maintenance, blockages, or other neglectful practices by the homeowners, the insurance may not cover it.

What plumbing emergencies aren’t covered?

Apart from pipe and sewer issues due to poor maintenance, here are other plumbing emergencies that might not get a green light from your insurers:

• Plumbing issues due to neglect
• Blocked drains (mostly caused by things that should not have been flushed in the drain)
• Pipe leaks or mould damage that could have been prevented
• Frozen pipes in a home without heating
• Plumbing problems resulting from typical wear and tear
• Water damage caused by swimming pool leaks
• Sewer or sump pump backups (unless additional coverage has been bought)

As you might have noticed, most of these resulted from improper plumbing care, making these ineligible for insurance claims. To avoid these problems in the future, which can be expensive without insurance coverage, ensure your pipelines and sewers are regularly checked and maintained by certified plumbers. This is important, especially for first-time homeowners, as it can save you thousands of dollars if you are properly prepared.

Call a plumbing professional in Sydney

Whenever you’re unsure about plumbing work and insurance coverage, seek professional help from your local plumbers, like Link Plumbing! Apart from having the qualifications, skills, equipment, and “24/7 plumbing near me services,” they’re also familiar with home insurance coverage for plumbing.

So, don’t let your plumbing problems damage your treasured home further, and call Link Plumbing for your Sydney plumbing needs. We’ll fix your plumbing troubles and help you maximise your home insurance coverage!