Your water pipes burst due to the cold weather. Here’s what you need to know for insurance claims.

So your water pipes burst during the arctic frost. What are you supposed to do

Insurance Council of Texas expects hundreds of thousands of insurance claims – including auto, home, renters, and businesses – thanks to winter weather.

With a few days left before the warm temperatures return to Houston, experts can say it may take a while for the pipes to thaw and leak.

Here’s what to expect when filing an insurance claim to cover the cost of repairing your plumbing and replacing your property.

Homeowner

Most homeowner insurance policies cover the resulting damage from a burst pipe. If there is a flood in the living room and water seeps through the floor, baseboards, and drywall it will be covered to some extent by your policy. Your insurance can also cover temporary relocation costs if the house is uninhabitable.

According to State Farm, the average frozen pipe damage claim in Texas was $ 15,500 in 2020.

“If you’ve already had damage, document it,” said Camille Garcia, spokeswoman for the Insurance Council of Texas. “Make a list of spoiled or damaged items. So when you contact the agent, this information is available to you.”

Even if you haven’t had any damage yet, take photos now in case you need a before and after comparison.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to find out how much your policy covers and what other documentation is required. Your policies likely include personal property damaged in the following floods, such as furniture, clothing, and groceries.

If the pipes cracked because you didn’t drain the water or kept warm when you could, your insurance may not cover the damage. Most guidelines expect you to take reasonable steps to protect your home. Thanks to the power outages that left more than 4 million people without heat this week, people have only been able to take so many steps to keep their pipes from bursting. Sudden and accidental leaks are usually covered.

Before coverage begins, you may have to pay the cost of your deductible.

Given the high demand It will take a while for a claims adjuster to be on the line. Kelly Hyde, who owns a townhouse in Shady Acres and was in the process of selling her house when the winter storm swept Texas, rang for an hour and a half Tuesday afternoon to reach her insurer, Allied Trust.

Hyde, who now lives in Denver, found that the ceiling of her master bathroom collapsed after asking a neighbor to check the property. The water heater pipes in the attic were cracked and frozen during the power outages.

Her insurer gave her a claim number but did not give her an estimate of when an appraiser would help her.

“We’ve been waiting for the Clear to close and now I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Hyde.

You’ll also have to wait a long time for plumbers and other contractors – many expect them to be booked for the next two to three months.

Tenant

If you rent your house or apartment and are faced with a burst pipe, your tenant insurance should cover the cost of personal property. Similar to homeowner insurance, the cost of furniture, clothing, and groceries can be covered.

Take photos and keep a written list of your belongings in case you need to file documents with your insurer. Homeowners are allowed to require tenants to purchase insurance, but Houston does not require all tenants to do so. Homeowner insurance does not cover the cost of your belongings as a tenant.

“As a tenant, you would not have any coverage for the structure,” said Garcia. “Your policy advocates damage to your personal property.”

Your landlord is responsible for repairing and covering the cost of structural damage if the storm and blackouts were to blame.

“First notify the manager immediately if there is a burst pipe or water leak in your device,” said Alpa Patel, a spokesman for the Houston Apartment Association. “Many leases require this in writing, but if you don’t, it’s always a good idea. This will keep a record of what you reported and when you reported it. “

The owner should also let you know where the water cut-off is in case you need to turn off the flow.

Water damage can be so great that the house or apartment is no longer habitable. In this case, tenants can terminate their rental agreements in writing before the repairs are completed. You are also eligible for a rent reduction based on the extent of the damage under the Texas Property Code. Most tenants and landlords can reach an agreement without judicial interference.

Insurance premiums will not change significantly as a result of the winter storm. Texas is a disaster prone state, and companies take this into account when submitting a bid.

Mayor Sylvester Turner’s office will also be working on a fund to help people who have lost property in a ruptured pipe and do not have homeowner or renter insurance. The city of Galveston says people should take photos of damage and keep receipts from plumbers, hotel stays, and other replacements in case a disaster fund becomes available.

While FEMA has not yet committed to individual assistance, tenants can call 211 or 311 (the city’s hotline) during the freeze for assistance with social services.

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