Does homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?
Yes, says the Insurance Information Institute. If a pipe bursts and water flows over your floors, the HO-3 covers you for accidental discharge of water from a plumbing system. Flood damage is different. The III says the HO-3 does not cover it, and that flood insurance is provided by the federal government.
On this page
A burst pipe and a flooded yard are two different insurance products.
What an HO-3 usually covers
The Insurance Information Institute's Am I Covered? page asks what happens when a pipe bursts and water flows all over your floors. Its answer is yes: the HO-3 covers you for accidental discharge of water from a plumbing system.
What it usually leaves out
Outdoor flood water is the usual gap. The III page asks, "Am I covered for flood damage?" Its answer is no. It says flood insurance is provided by the federal government, and that if you live in a flood-prone area it may be wise to purchase flood insurance. FEMA runs it as the National Flood Insurance Program, and its NFIP pricing page explains how premiums are set. If you are buying or changing a flood policy, the December 2026 NFIP manual change is the dated update we have.
Check your policy for what it says about sewer or drain backup.
What to do with the claim
Photograph the room, then call the number on your declarations page. What to do when water is in the house is the order for the water itself. If outdoor water came in too, ask the insurer which policy they want the indoor leak on, and whether a flood policy applies to the outdoor water. If you live in Grand Forks, the Grand Forks page has the city's permit rule.
Sources
Who wrote and checked this page
- Written by
- Soaked SOS editorial staff. Who runs this site
- Facts checked
- , by the Soaked SOS editorial staff, against the sources listed on this page.
- Licensed professional
- None. No licensed restoration contractor or industrial hygienist has checked this page.
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