Think your frozen pipes may have burst? Here’s what to do

Frozen pipes can burst and cause signficant water damage to your home.

Any time the temperature drops to freezing levels, your pipes are at risk of freezing. Frozen pipes tend to thaw as temperatures rise back above freezing level — which means they’re more likely to leak or burst.

There’s precautions you can take to prevent it, but water damage is the most common reason people file home insurance claims.

If you think your pipes have frozen and burst, get them inspected. The sooner the problem is professionally identified and you can file a claim, the better! If your pipes develop a leak because they’ve frozen, burst and flooded your home, you’re probably covered.

However, if your pipes have frozen, thawed, and developed a leak, your policy has a requirement that you report the damage as soon as reasonably possible so repairs can be covered.

If you fail to report these issues in a timely manner, you risk having the damaged denied. Your home policy excludes coverage for water seepage or leakage that occurs over time — usually more than 13 days after the inciting event. (Learn more about what’s covered and not covered in your homeowner policy.)

Our website has a Winter Weather Insurance Coverage FAQs page with additional information on damages due to deep freeze.

I’m concerned about the pipes to my home freezing during the cold winter months. Am I covered if they burst?

  • Your homeowner policy should cover you. However, to avoid this issue, be sure to keep your home above 60 degrees during the winter months. You should also make sure your outside faucets are drained, covered or insulated to keep them from freezing.

I plan to not be home during the winter months. If I turn off the heat to my home and my pipes break, will my insurance company cover the damage?

  • If your pipes burst because you did not keep your home warm enough, the loss may not be covered. Homeowner policies may exclude coverage for damage to a home when it isn’t properly heated.

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WA State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Commissioner’s Eye on Insurance

Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler regulates the insurance industry and protects insurance consumers.