Homeowner’s Insurance May Cover Damaged Pipes

2/20/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in Franklin, TN

The Following Are 3 Issues That Require Consideration

Water damage is a constant threat to your Franklin, TN, home. Insurance coverage usually makes a provision for the remediation of water damage if it occurs. In the case of a flood from a broken pipe, it may even cover some of the cost of the plumbing repairs. However, there are circumstances under which your insurer may refuse to help. The following are three issues that require consideration.

Was the problem preventable? It is a homeowner’s responsibility to ensure that the home water system is well-maintained. It is also essential to ensure that the plumbing is not susceptible to damage from external forces like cold weather. Periodic inspection of plumbing by a certified professional will help identify problems before they occur. Being a proactive homeowner keeps repair costs low and minimizes the chances of a plumbing emergency.
Was the problem reported promptly? It’s one thing to have an unknown plumbing problem in a hidden space. It is another to have one that you know about but choose to ignore. Even a small leak can cause extensive water damage and a mold problem. An insurance adjuster can quickly determine that there was a reporting delay. This negligence makes claim denial a real possibility.

Does the homeowner’s policy address this situation? Many homeowners don’t understand what their policies cover until they have a problem. That’s a bad time to discover that the coverage is inadequate. An important aspect of being proactive is knowing ahead of time what protections your policy provides. Will it help you respond to a flood from a plumbing failure? Will it pay to fix a broken pipe? The answer to these and other questions is there in the fine print of your policy.

There is no way to know when a plumbing problem will flood your home or how bad it will be. It is good to know that there are local water damage remediation experts ready to step in and eliminate your problem. They are Here to Help.