Does Water Main Repair Get Covered By Home Insurance?

Broken water mains can cause underground flooding if not repaired immediately. Homeowner’s insurance typically does not cover water pipes outside the house, and local water utilities may not come out to fix them for free. The average cost to replace a broken water main is around $800.

Water damage is generally covered by homeowners insurance if it is sudden and accidental. However, water damage that occurs gradually due to leaky or rusty pipes is not covered. Standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage from sudden plumbing malfunctions or broken pipes. Most policies exclude damage to your home that occurred gradually.

Homeowners insurance does cover damage caused by pipe leakages, but with specific conditions. Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover water damage that springs from within the home, including faulty plumbing. Homeowner’s insurance typically covers sudden and accidental water damage caused by plumbing issues, such as a burst pipe or an overflow.

In cases where water damage originated from external sources, homeowners insurance may cover damage from a sudden burst pipe inside a building or roof and water damage from a storm. However, it is unlikely that the insurance will cover the replacement of the water main that connects to the municipal water supply.