During cold weather, a lot of water damage from burst pipes can be devastating. This leaves billions of dollars of property damage. Fortunately, most homeowners insurance policies frequently cover the ensuing damage from burst pipes.
They cover the cleaning and replacement of properties (such as furniture, electronics, walls, ceilings, etc) caused by water damage. They also cover additional living expenses such as hotel bills in cases where you have to vacate your home for repairs to be made.
However, there are situations where burst pipe claims may not be covered. For example, ignoring a corroded pipe for a long time, the pipe freezing while away on holiday, not turning off the water supply in the face of extremely cold weather, etc.
According to data from State Farm, the average property damage claim for a burst pipe in Texas cost $15,500 in 2020, which is not surprising, especially when you begin to consider the severity of the current freezing weather and how quickly it destroys properties.
Unfortunately, even in trying times, not all claims are approved by insurance companies as they continually look for ways to delay or deny claims even when they are valid. This is why you shouldn't trust your carrier to do you right, and also why we offer free confidential consultations on all frozen pipe burst claims.
So if you feel your claim is being unfairly delayed or denied, don't hesitate to reach out to our Texas attorney at the Voss Law Firm today. We remove every burden from your shoulders and fight for you till you get all the compensation you deserve.
The Three Types of Homeowners Insurance for Water Damage
As a policyholder, to have your burst pipe claim approved, you need to have the correct type of home insurance.
If you live in Texas, and you simply want to protect your property during this winter season, you should consider the following types of home insurance as they offer diverse levels of coverage.
1. All-Risk Home Insurance
This coverage does not only apply to water damage that occurs during cold weather alone. As the name implies, it also protects your home and personal property from a long list of risks and perils that may happen beyond your control.
In the case of water damage resulting from a burst pipe, your insurance company will only pay your claim if the cause of the burst pipe was "sudden and accidental".
In a nutshell, you should invest in this type of insurance if you're worried about various types of risks destroying your home and property.
2. Sewer Backup Coverage
This is important coverage that is usually purchased as an add-on to a standard homeowners insurance policy. One of the reasons why policyholders add this coverage to their home insurance is because sometimes, clean water and sewage could mix in the leak, which makes it difficult to determine which came first.
3. Overland Water Coverage
Although this coverage is not related to burst pipe problems, I must state it here as well.
Towards the end of the winter season, the water levels in streams and ponds always tend to rise, which could lead to flooding. And when such water finds its way to your home, it could cause significant damage to your property. This is why overland water coverage is important as it protects you, your family, and your property from such damage.
What To Do Before Filing A Burst Pipe Insurance Claim
If you wake up to a home damaged by a burst pipe, it is important you file a claim with your insurance company. It is also crucial you do this correctly so you don't give your insurer any reason to deny your claim. But before filing a burst pipe insurance claim…
Ensure you turn off every electrical switch that is in contact with the flooded area. You also want to shut off the water supply to prevent further water damage. Then open a faucet to relieve pressure in the pipes.
Next, go ahead and assess the damage by taking pictures of everything that needs to be repaired. Even though your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect the damages themselves, it is also important you seek the help of a public adjuster as well.
You see, when you fix the public adjuster's visit for the same time as that of your insurance company adjuster, he will be able to point out the various damages and how much it will cost to repair them.
Additionally, before filing a claim, it is expedient to know what your homeowners insurance policy covers. This will help you to know the benefits you are entitled to, the right procedure for filing a claim, and the document needed to show the damage that happened.
Remember that the faster you submit a claim, the less likely you'll have to pay for damages resulting from "waiting to repair". For instance, water damage such as mold growth left for a long time after a burst pipe may not be approved by your insurance company.
And if you must repair and buy materials to fix the damage as soon as possible, make sure you make a proper record of everything that was repaired. This will be useful when your insurance company is about to pay back all the money you spent fixing your property.
When To Get Help With An Insurance Claim For Burst Pipe
Every single day, we receive complaints from policyholders whose claims have been denied. This is not surprising to us because, just like every other business, insurance companies continually seek ways to improve their bottom line, and the best way for them to do that is to either delay or deny claims.
This can be frustrating, especially when you have spent years paying for a policy only to be disappointed when you needed it the most.
However, there are situations where the reason for denial may be legitimate. For example, if the burst pipe was due to lack of proper maintenance. Another reason could be a disagreement about the cause of water damage, or a devaluation of your claim when they value the damage at less than it actually cost. This is why having your own adjuster is a great idea. It gives you insight into how much it will cost to fix the damage.
However, if you feel your claim is being unfairly delayed or denied, know that you are not alone. With the help of our Texas attorneys, you'll be able to fight off the oppression of your insurance company till you get all compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Team Of Insurance Claim Attorneys Here In Texas Today
At the Voss Law Firm, our insurance claim attorneys have many years of experience fighting denied burst pipe claims on behalf of policyholders across Texas, and we are proud of our history of success. If you need help or if you feel your insurer is treating you badly, we offer free confidential consultations on all frozen pipe burst claims. Reach out to us today at 1-888-614-7730!