Burst water pipes and insurance: Are you covered?

As we head into the heart of winter, the weather is getting colder every day. It is at this time of year that water pipes are most susceptible to freezing, which can lead to a leak. There are several reasons why water pipes might burst as the weather gets colder, but there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce your chances of suffering a burst water pipe. Click here to find out everything you need to know about protecting your pipes during the winter months.

Even if you’ve taken all the recommended steps, there’s no guarantee that you won’t find yourself dealing with a burst pipe. For this reason, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with your insurance policy so you know exactly what you would be covered for in the event of a burst water pipe or other water damage.

Check your insurance policy

If a pipe bursts in your home and you don’t have adequate insurance, you risk having to pay for the repairs and any damage caused by the leak. If you have an insurance policy, you should be covered for the damage. Cover can vary from insurer to insurer, but most home insurance policies will cover a sudden burst pipe.

There are three different costs you’ll want to make sure you’re covered for; costs associated with locating the burst pipe and accessing the leak, the cost of repairing the pipe and the cost of repairing any damage caused by a water leak. Your insurance policy may or may not cover all of these, so it’s important to check and see what would be covered in the event of a burst pipe.

Making a claim for a burst water pipe

If you suffer a burst water pipe this winter, you’ll most likely want to make a claim on your home insurance, your business insurance or your landlord insurance. This can be a stressful and long-winded process, and the decisions you make during this time can have a direct impact on whether your claim is accepted by your insurer and the settlement you receive.

Due to their complex nature, burst water pipe claims can be some of the most complicated claims to negotiate. You don’t have to do it alone, though. Morgan Clark’s independent Loss Assessors are experienced in handling burst water pipe claims on behalf of clients, taking over the entire insurance claim process to ease your stress. Our Loss Assessors will handle every part of the claim, including liaising with your insurer and the Loss Adjuster they assign to your claim. We’ll also use our experience to negotiate the settlement you should be entitled to and handle any repairs, so you can just focus on getting your life back on track. Get in touch to find out more about how we can help you with your burst water pipe claim.