Blocked drains aren’t just a nuisance – they can be an absolute nightmare for any homeowner. Sure, the dishes won’t go down or the toilet won’t flush your you-know-what, but it’s actually a situation that can lead to immense damage and even more immensely-costly repairs. And then it all gets even more stressful when you start wondering if your home insurance will cover these sorts of unexpected but potentially devastating-on-your-bank-balance expenses. Let’s take a deep dive into whether blocked drains are covered by home insurance – and try to explore everything you need to know on the topic and even more:
Plumbing and insurance: Everything you need to know
1. The basics of home insurance cover
As we all know, home insurance is designed to protect homeowners from a wide range of various and unexpected incidents that can cause damage to your property. So, does your cover include blocked drain repairs? It actually depends on the specifics of your particular policy – and those specifics can vary quite a lot!
Generally, home insurance covers sudden and accidental damage – but not necessarily issues arising from poor maintenance or gradual wear and tear.
2. Are blocked drains covered by home insurance?
So, let’s get into that critical question: Are blocked drains covered by home insurance? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always straightforward. It really depends on what caused that blockage, and what the fine print on your insurance policy says. If the blockage is due to a sudden and unforeseen event, such as a pipe burst, you might have a huge mess on your hands, but it also might just be covered. But if we’re talking about a normal, gradual build-up of debris that perhaps wasn’t maintained properly, you’re almost certainly going to be out of luck.
3. Tree roots in sewer line covered by insurance
Did you know one of the most common causes of blocked drains is tree roots infiltrating the sewer line? Those roots love the wet, stinky, nutrient-rich contents – but does home insurance cover tree roots in the sewer line?
Well, many policies specifically exclude this sort of damage – unless it can be proved that the damage was, as we outlined above, sudden and unexpected. But even then it can be a grey area, so take some time to look over your policy and possibly talk to your insurer to understand what it covers. When you call, get straight to the point and ask: Does home insurance cover tree root damage?
4. Does home insurance cover plumbing problems?
What about other plumbing problems? Will your insurance policy be any help for those?
As we’ve already outlined, home insurance policies are there to protect you in the event of sudden, unpreventable, and/or accidental issues – and plumbing disasters can be among those! However, if the problem is primarily due to the fact that you didn’t maintain your systems properly or professionally, or simply due to normal wear and tear, it is unlikely to be covered.
The solution before disaster strikes? Regular maintenance and inspections that prevent issues before they happen.
5. Broken sewer line covered by insurance
Something else we’re asked about a lot is whether a broken sewer line is covered by insurance. Well, let’s introduce you to the specific insurance-industry term known as ‘covered peril’. They’ll be laid out in your policy documents, including things like fire, theft, vandalism, and certain types of water damage.
So: if your sewer line breaks due to a ‘covered peril’, your policy might come to your rescue. But if we’re just talking about gradual deterioration or age, your claim will probably be denied.
6. Claiming plumbing repairs on insurance
You’d be surprised how often we’re asked by a homeowner: “Can you claim plumbing repairs on insurance?” As we hope we’ve explained above, the answer is not black and white. But here’s what we suggest:
- Document the damage meticulously
- Document the repairs just as thoroughly
- Cross your fingers!
7. Water line breaks and insurance coverage
Another one we hear a lot is: Does home insurance cover water line breaks? It can be seriously-soggy and damaging and expensive when it happens, but the answer is very similar to those sewer line issues we’ve already covered. Namely, if the water line break is because of a covered peril, you could be in luck for the repairs and damage expenses. And if your maintenance routine has simply slipped, you could be in deep, soggy trouble.
8. Structural problems and home insurance
In some cases, deep, fundamental structural problems to your precious home and investment can be caused by blocked drains. We’re talking about things like:
- Foundation cracks
- Wall damage
- Internal flooding
- Structural weakening
- Mould & mildew growth
- Soil erosion
- Sagging floors
So: Does home insurance cover structural problems resulting from such issues? Well, if the structural damage is sudden and caused by an event covered in your policy, you may be protected. If not, you’re dealing with a major, money-sucking headache.
Does building insurance cover plumbing?
Getting your head around the ins and outs of home insurance coverage for plumbing issues is something every prudent homeowner should do. Remember, to mitigate your risks, it’s all about:
- What your particular policy outlines
- What may be possible to discuss with your current or an alternative insurer
- And whether you’re keeping up with regular professional maintenance and prompt attention to plumbing issues.
Facing problems right now, or needing some personalised professional advice from the people in the know? Get in touch with the friendly, experienced, and fully-licensed experts right here at Drain Masters Plumbing. As you can tell from our name, we specialise in all things drain-related – but also so much more! We’re looking forward to helping out.
