Winter has arrived, and with it comes one of the most common (and most expensive) seasonal disasters: burst pipes. The temperature drops sharply, and the frozen liquid splits metal or plastic from the inside.
The consequences aren’t encouraging: water everywhere, damaged structures, risk of mold growth, and thousands of dollars in losses. The success of recovery depends on how quickly you start acting.
What should you do when a pipe bursts? What does insurance cover in this situation? Does a public adjuster for insurance claim guarantee that you will receive a check for the full amount? You will find the answers below.
Why Pipes Burst in Winter (and How to Spot Early Warning Signs)
When freezing, water expands, creating massive pressure inside the closed space of the pipe. When the pressure exceeds the strength limit of the material, a rupture occurs. Most often, this happens in exterior walls where plumbing runs, unheated basements, and crawl spaces.
Can you prevent the disaster? Absolutely — if you notice the early warning signs in time, such as:
- weak water pressure from the faucet (a sign of an ice blockage);
- frost on exposed pipe sections;
- strange sounds in the system;
- visible swelling on pipes.
If you suspect frozen pipes in slab foundation, you must act quickly. Yes, such breaks are hard to detect visually, but they can undermine the concrete foundation of your home, causing major structural damage.
Feeling stuck with your claim? You don’t have to fight alone.
Reach out to us — we will review your claim for free and help you understand your options
What To Do Immediately When a Pipe Bursts
When water is already flowing, every minute of delay increases repair costs. So what is the correct action plan to minimize damage?
- Shut off the water. Find the main water shutoff valve and turn it off. If you can’t do this, the On-Site Adjusting team can help, bringing equipment for emergency water extraction.
- Turn off electricity in affected areas. If water has reached outlets or appliances, disconnect power to the damaged zones at the breaker panel.
- Document everything. Before mopping up, take photos and videos of flooded areas, damaged walls, and wet furniture.
- Remove standing water (if safe). The less water that absorbs into floors and walls, the better.
- Start air circulation. Open windows or use fans to prevent mold from spreading.
- Call your insurance company, BUT… Report the incident, but do not give detailed descriptions or emotional assessments of the damage. Every incorrect word may be used against you.
- Contact an independent property adjuster. Bringing in an expert early is always beneficial. They will help you avoid mistakes insurers commonly use to deny claims.
Your burst pipe insurance claim greatly depends on when mitigation began. In our practice, we’ve seen cases where an insurance company denied mold coverage because the policyholder waited too long.
What Insurance Typically Covers for Burst Pipes
Most policies cover the sudden and accidental discharge of water from pipes. However, the details written in the policy are crucial. In 99% of cases, you can expect compensation for:
- structural repairs (drywall, flooring replacement, ceilings, and insulation);
- damaged contents (furniture, appliances, carpets, personal items);
- walls and floors that were demolished to access the point of failure;
- mold prevention steps (if they were started on time).
At the same time, insurance companies look for reasons to deny or reduce payments. Here are several common arguments.
| Insurance Company Argument | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Neglect of maintenance | The adjuster claims you didn’t properly maintain the pipes or ignored old leaks. |
| Improper temperature control | If you left for vacation and turned off the heating in winter, coverage will likely be denied. |
| Delay in water damage mitigation | If you waited too long to call a water extraction service, additional damage will not be covered. |
| Lack of pipe insulation | If a causal link is proven between the pipe burst and non-insulated plumbing, responsibility is placed on the homeowner. |
Your policy typically covers water damage, but not the repair of the old pipe that burst. That’s why the insurance company’s water damage claims adjuster will certainly try to use this against you.
How Insurance Companies Lowball or Delay Burst Pipe Claims
One way or another, an insurance company as an organization is a business, so its goal is to preserve its profit. Therefore, when you file a burst water pipe insurance claim, you may face resistance.
They will try to reduce your payout by using one (or several) of these methods:
- They claim that the disaster could have been prevented. This is an attempt to shift the blame to you in order to issue a partial denial.
- They underestimate the extent of water damage. For example, they ignore moisture that has seeped behind walls or under the floor.
- They delay approvals. A delay in authorizing professional drying leads to secondary damage that the adjuster then refuses to cover.
- They lowball the budget for water damage clean up. The insurance company offers a restoration amount that does not correspond to real market rates.
Such things happen especially often with a commercial insurance claim. Business downtime is expensive, and the insurance company tries to minimize payments for business interruption, thereby protecting its own budget.
How a Public Adjuster Protects Your Claim
It is difficult to counter the tactics of insurers on your own. You can make the task easier if you decide to delegate it to our team of adjusters on demand.
What actions do we take to protect your interests in the case?
- We determine the cause of loss and maintenance history so that we have leverage in case the insurance adjuster issues a denial.
- We perform full moisture mapping to minimize risks related to a broken pipe under basement floor.
- We document both structural (visible and hidden) damage and personal property losses.
- We achieve full-cycle payment from the insurance company (drying, demolition, reconstruction).
- We provide access to options such as Additional Living Expenses (ALE), Ordinance & Law, Debris Removal, and Extended replacement for contents.
We don’t leave you one step away from victory, as we handle claim escalation in California, Wisconsin, and Illinois. By the way, in the state of Illinois, we also have a right to perform restoration work.
In any case, our experience in the construction industry becomes a powerful argument when negotiating with an insurance adjuster.
How to Prevent Frozen and Burst Pipes This Winter
The best insurance claim is the one you didn’t need to file. And often, following the simplest tips helps with that:
- Maintain heating around areas where pipes run.
- In severe frost, allow faucets to drip slightly.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks.
- Insulate exposed pipes with special foam.
- Install heat tape for vulnerable areas.
- Make sure all family members know where the water shutoff is.
If you are dealing with a frozen sewage pipe, do not try to thaw it with an open flame. This is dangerous and can cause a fire.
Final Thoughts
With fast action and the support of public adjusters, you can fully restore your property after a burst pipe — and do so at the expense of the insurance company. Therefore, don’t panic and don’t agree to the first offer from the insurance adjuster.
Do you have doubts about the payout? Need expert assistance with documenting the damage? Call On-Site Adjusting at (866) 861-4992 or (866) 933-0404, or fill out our contact form.
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