Homeowners insurance typically covers losses resulting from a sudden malfunction, such as a pipe bursting unexpectedly. However, a homeowners policy won't cover slow, constant leaks or other plumbing problems resulting from neglect or improper maintenance.
In short, homeowners insurance typically covers sudden and accidental damage from plumbing issues, but it may not cover the cost of repairing or replacing the actual plumbing apparatus.
Accidental water damage that occurs as a result of a sudden, unexpected occurrence like a burst pipe is often covered by a homeowners insurance policy. In addition, cleaning, repair or replacement of wood flooring, drywall and even furniture due to water damage as a result of a burst pipe typically is covered.
It all depends. If you have $1500 damage and your deductible is $1000, probably not worth the claim. But, if it is a very expensive fix, absolutely use your insurance. That is what it is there for.
Earthquakes, Floods, Sinkholes and Landslides
Every home is at risk of burglary or fire, but not every region is likely to experience earthquakes, floods, sinkholes or landslides. These risks are typically limited to certain parts of the country, so they aren't covered by standard home insurance.
Avoid Misleading Phrases: Be cautious with your words. Phrases like “I think” or “It might have been” can introduce doubt and ambiguity into your claim. Instead, stick to clear, confident statements that are supported by your evidence and records.
If the damage is sudden, accidental, and comes from inside your home, you're typically protected with a standard homeowners insurance policy. However, you typically won't be covered if the water damage is caused by outside flooding or a neglected repair.
Reasons for denial can range from the nature of the damage itself—such as gradual damage that occurred over time—to issues with how the claim was filed, including missed deadlines or insufficient documentation. Furthermore, unreported property modifications can also lead to complications during the claims process.
As a general rule, water damage is covered by home insurance if it is sudden or accidental.
However, a homeowners policy won't cover slow, constant leaks or other plumbing problems resulting from neglect or improper maintenance. This also applies to backed-up sump pumps or sewage systems that have not been routinely inspected and maintained.
Simply put, if a waterline breaks outside of your property line, it's the utility company's responsibility to repair the damage. However, if a waterline breaks inside your home or within the boundaries of your property – even on your lawn – it becomes your responsibility.
After you file a home insurance claim, it's possible that your premium will increase when your policy renews. If you file one claim, your insurance company may see you as likely to file another in the future. To offset the cost of that potential claim, your insurance company may charge you more for your policy.
If the break or hole in pipe occurred within your home's foundation, it may be covered., however, it is not likely that your policy will cover pipe bursts or breaks that occur outside of your home's foundation “footprint”.
Average Flat Rate
Some plumbing jobs are billed at a flat rate. As of 2025, the average plumber rates for larger repairs are typically between $500 to $800, while smaller jobs like repairing toilets, sinks, faucets, or bathtubs typically range from $125 to $350.
If your home is damaged, your home insurance company sends out an adjuster to look at the damage. The company then determines your settlement amount or how much you'll be reimbursed to make repairs. A homeowner's insurance policy pays for losses or damage to your property if something unexpected happens.
Take clear photos and videos to capture the extent of the damage. This evidence will support your claim and help in assessing the repair costs. Additionally, identifying and stopping the source of the water damage, such as shutting off a burst pipe, can prevent further harm to your property.
So, does homeowners insurance go up after a claim? Absolutely, but now you know why and how. You've learned that the type of claim matters—water damage or theft could hike your rates more than others. You understand filing multiple claims might not only raise costs but also risk policy renewal.
Incorrect, Incomplete, or Unsupported Claim
Claims are often denied due to technicalities. Failure to file a timely claim, failure to notify the appropriate parties (such as employers), or failure to follow other rules may lead to an unnecessary claim denial.
Groundwater is naturally occurring water underground whose levels may increase after heavy rains or snow melts, which can be destructive to basements. However, your homeowners insurance policy won't cover damage from groundwater.
Keeping insurance money without using it for repairs can lead to several risks, including: Contract violations: If your policy or loan agreement requires repairs, failing to complete them could lead to legal or financial penalties.
Plumbers are typically required to file a plumber report. This report involves documenting details about the plumbing work that has been performed, such as repairs, installations, or inspections.
While some coverage is available, these five threats are considered mostly uninsurable: reputational risk, regulatory risk, trade secret risk, political risk and pandemic risk.
In general, an insurance company must not falsely advertise or misrepresent the nature of an insurance policy or its benefits, discriminate between similarly situated individuals in determining benefits eligibility, engage in unfair claim settlement practices, or fail to maintain a record of grievances.