Is My Water Line Covered by Home Insurance?

You have a water line break, gallons of water are spilling out of the ground on your property and your lawn is quickly becoming a swamp. It may not be the most pressing question on your mind, but you need to know if the water line’s breakdown is covered by your home insurance. If the water line damage occurs inside the home, such as a burst pipe under your bathroom sink, it will typically be covered, but outside water lines are not covered by home insurance. 

However, don’t fret — additional coverage options are available to you so that outside water line damage won’t be a financial concern in the future. Some insurance carriers have riders to add to your home insurance that will protect your wallet from any future water line issues. Adding water line coverage to your homeowners insurance can save you from stress when accidents or wear and tear damage your water line. 

The Importance of Water Lines

Water lines are vital to your home’s proper functioning. The freshwater that enters your home comes from pipes in your house that connect to your water line. That water line travels underground and connects to the main water supply, typically found under the roadway. Your water line has its own tap from the main supply line, with a meter to track the water being supplied to your home. 

Water travels through this network to run your faucets, toilets, showers and washing machines. Damage to this outside water line can cost you thousands of dollars and disrupt your use of typical home amenities needing water. 

How Damage to Water Lines Occurs

Even though outside water lines are not easily accessible and are typically buried in the ground, damage can still occur, resulting in stress and financial burden. Water lines can become damaged for various reasons, including:

• Natural disasters such as earthquakes or tornados.
• Freezing temperatures or other weather-related issues.
• Fallen or uprooted trees near the water line.
• Damage from yard work or digging.
• Corrosion or deterioration from outside factors.
• Typical wear and tear.

Some other scenarios that can facilitate water line damage include the following:

• A saltwater pool water leak deteriorating the water line connection.
• Animals digging, burrowing or nesting in the yard near the water line and causing damage.
• Heavy trucks or machinery in your yard crushing water line equipment from their weight.
• A tree’s roots penetrating the water line and beginning to grow inside the pipe, causing obstructions and clogs. 

Water line damage can be caused by you, or it may be outside of your control. Either way, it can be a frustrating and costly issue to resolve. 

How to Recognize Water Line Damage

Water line damage does not always mean fountains of water shooting out of the ground in a grand display, though this is an obvious indicator of a water line malfunction. Other ways to recognize potential issues with your water line are:

• Noisy pipes caused by air in the water line.
• Water leaks occurring inside or outside your home.
• Low water pressure caused by a leak, clog or an obstruction to the water line from sediment buildup or mineral deposits. 
• Frozen pipes causing water line blockages or burst pipes. 

If you notice any of these signs, your water line may be damaged. It is important to address these issues before larger problems occur. 

Why Should You Get Insurance Coverage for Your Water Line?

Water line issues can lead to significant damage to the water line itself, your yard and your home. Plumbing services for these kinds of home problems are pricey. If the issue is coming from the water line outside, you’ll have to spend hundreds of dollars just digging up your yard to access the line. Then, you’ll need to pay to repair or replace the damaged section of the water line. 

One linear foot can cost anywhere from $50 to $250, which increases depending on how many feet you must replace. Replacing the entire line can be upward of triple that cost. On top of this, you will have to pay to repair any damage caused by the water line issue. This could include replacing walkways, driveways, landscaping or any other surrounding areas that have become overly saturated with water. 

All of this is just a baseline cost. If the water line malfunction is under a patio, deck or other structure, the price will be far greater. Replacement parts may also have to be upgraded to temperature-resistant materials to avoid freezing again in the future. These components are typically more expensive than their standard counterparts. 

By adding water line insurance coverage to your home policy, you can help alleviate the financial stress caused by water line damage outside of your home.

Benefits of Bundling Water Line Insurance With Homeowners Insurance 

There are many advantages to bundling water line insurance with your homeowners policy. The most obvious benefit is avoiding the unexpected costs of expensive water line repairs. After paying your deductible, the cost of equipment, digging, replacement parts and labor will be covered up to your policy’s coverage limit. This could save you thousands of dollars in repairs. 

Depending on the carrier and policy you select for water line insurance, your coverage may also encompass fixing any damage to your property caused by the water line break. This could include: 

• Damage to your home’s foundation or other structures on your property.
• Damage to decks or patios from digging to access the water line.
• Any other damage to landscaping, walkways, driveways or other property that was saturated with water. 

You can save yourself from the stress of an unexpected water line malfunction with an added policy. You may or may not be responsible for what caused the water line damage outside of your house, but you can alleviate yourself of the worry by adding water line insurance to your homeowners coverage.

Bundling water line insurance with homeowners insurance is a great option for individuals looking to protect themselves from the effects of water line damage. You also only have to work with one company, easing communication and adding convenience. Talk to your homeowners insurance agent to see if you can save money by bundling your water line insurance. 

Add Water Line Insurance to Your Home Insurance Coverage

Whether you have lived at your home for 50 years or just moved in yesterday, a water line break could always be a possibility. Traditional homeowners insurance policies won’t cover the damage or repairs associated with the water line malfunction if it occurs outside your home, leaving you with the stress and financial burden. You can protect yourself by adding water line insurance coverage to your home coverage.

If you are interested in updating your home insurance policy by adding additional water line coverage or would like to further discuss your home insurance options, contact Lewis Insurance and Financial today.