By ClaimsMate Public Adjusters

08/19/2019 Burst pipe insurance claims are frustrating and messy.

Some of the signs you have a burst pipe in your home include:

• Strange odors when you run the sink, toilet, or washing machine
  
• A bubbling, whistling, banging, or clanking sound when turning on the water
  
• Pipes making a funny noise when flushing the toilet or turning on the sink
  
• Water damage or discoloration on your ceilings and walls, including smaller marks that turn into larger marks
  
• Bugling in your walls or ceilings
  
• A higher water bill
  
• Low water pressure when showing or running other water throughout the home
  

Homes are also more prone to burst pipes at certain times of the year. Pipes can freeze in the winter when temperatures plummet, for example, causing cracks and leaks. Be particularly aware of burst pipe issues after a stretch of cold weather or a long winter.

Some burst pipes cause immediate and significant damage. Most burst pipes, however, are small cracks that cause significant damage over a long period of time.

Fortunately, most homeowner’s insurance policies cover water damage from burst pipes – as long as the burst pipe issue was sudden and accidental. If your burst pipe was left undetected over a long period of time, then your insurance company is less likely to cover it.

Once you have verified you have a burst pipe, here’s how a typical claim will work:

Step 1) Call your insurance company


Step 2) Control the situation by turning off your water, laying down towels or buckets, and performing other basic work if safe to do so

Step 3) Wait for the restoration company to arrive; they should begin setting up fans and drying equipment to control the situation and reduce the chance of mold

Step 4) Let the restoration company remediate your property to its pre-loss condition

Step 5) Finalize your insurance claim

Step 6) Maximize your insurance claim by rejecting the initial offer or hiring a public adjuster; an insurance company might initially lowball you in the hopes of a fast settlement, but you may be able to increase payout by rejecting that settlement and negotiating a better off – say, with the help of a professional public adjuster

Burst pipe insurance claims are tricky and messy. With the help of qualified professionals, however, you can ensure your burst pipe insurance claim goes as smoothly as possible.