skip to main content
Travelers Logo
  • About
  • Careers
  • Agents
  • Investors
  • Sustainability
  • Contact Us
  • For Individuals
    • Overview
    • Products
      • Car
      • Home
      • Renters
      • Condo
      • Landlord
      • Boat & Yacht
      • Flood
      • Motorcycle
      • Travel
      • Pet
      • Weddings
      • Umbrella
      • All Products
    • Prepare & Prevent
      • Insurance 101
      • Home Central
      • Travelers Garage
      • Managing Through COVID-19
    • Affinity Group Discount
    • Online Service
    • Pay Your Bill
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • For Business
    • Overview
    • Products & Solutions
      • Overview
      • Boiler & Machinery
      • Commercial Auto & Trucking
      • Cyber
      • Environmental Liability
      • Excess Casualty & Umbrella
      • General Liability
      • Global Insurance
      • Inland Marine
      • Management & Professional Liability
      • Ocean Marine
      • Property
      • Business Owner's Policy
      • Surety Bonds
      • Workers Compensation
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Industries
      • Overview
      • Agribusiness
      • Architects, Engineers & Surveyors
      • Auto & Truck Dealers
      • Business & Professional Services
      • Construction
      • Education
      • Energy & Renewable
      • Equipment Dealers
      • Financial Institutions
      • Food Services
      • Health & Related Services
      • Hospitality & Recreation
      • Manufacturing
      • Marine Industries
      • Museums & Fine Art
      • Non-Profit
      • Oil & Gas
      • Public Entities
      • Real Estate
      • Retail
      • Technology
      • Transportation
      • Wholesale & Distribution
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Services
      • Overview
      • Risk Control
      • Claim
      • Premium Audit
      • Online Customer Tools
      • Risk Management Information Services
      • Travelers Client Advantage
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Small Business
      • Overview
      • Automobile Insurance
      • Business Owner's Policy
      • Data Breach
      • Employment Practices Liability
      • Professional Insurance
      • Umbrella Insurance
      • Workers Compensation Inurance
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Large Business
      • Overview
      • Casualty
      • Cyber
      • Management & Professional Liability
      • Property
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Multinational Business
    • Prepare & Prevent
      • By Topic
      • By Industry
      • Navigating Your Business Through COVID-19
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • Claim Center
    • Claim Center
    • Should I File a Claim?
    • File a Claim
    • Roadside Assistance
    • Find a Service Provider
    • Check Your Claim Status
    • Manage Your Claim Experience
      • Understanding the Claim Process
      • Claim Guide Library
      • Workers Compensation Resources
    • Claim Capabilities
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • Prepare & Prevent
    • For Individuals
    • Home Central
      • Buying & Selling
      • Home Maintenance
      • Home Renovation
      • Home Safety
      • Moving
      • Smart Home
    • Travelers Garage
      • Buying & Selling
      • Car Maintenance
      • Distracted Driving
      • Safe Driving
      • Teen Driving
      • Boating
    • Insurance 101
    • Weather
    • For Business
    • Industries
      • Construction
      • Manufacturing
      • Nonprofit
      • Small Business
      • Technology
    • Topics
      • Business Continuity
      • Cyber
      • Driver and Fleet Safety
      • Facilities Management
      • Internet of Things
      • Product and Services Liability
      • Supply Chain Management
      • Workplace Safety
    • Travelers Risk Index
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • About Travelers
    • Overview
      • Awards & Recognition
      • Careers
      • Community
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Sustainability
      • History
      • Investors
      • Media Resources
      • News
      • Travelers Championship
      • Travelers Institute
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
    • Get a Quote
    • Find an Agent
    • File a Claim
    • Pay Your Bill
Main Navigation
  • For Individuals
      • Insurance for Individuals
      • Products
        • Car
        • Home
        • Renters
        • Condo
        • Landlord
        • Boat & Yacht
        • Flood
        • Motorcycle
        • Travel
        • Pet
        • Weddings & Events
        • Umbrella
        • More
      • Prepare & Prevent
        • Insurance 101
        • Home Central
        • Travelers Garage
      • Affinity Group Discount
      • Online Service
      • Pay Your Bill
    • Get a home quote now

      It's easy to get a free quote for home insurance from Travelers in just a few minutes.

       

      Get a home quote now
  • For Business
      • Products & Solutions
        • Commercial Auto & Trucking
        • Cyber
        • General Liability
        • Management & Professional Liability
        • Property
        • Business Owner's Policy
        • Surety Bonds
        • Workers Compensation
        • More
      • Industries
        • Construction
        • Energy & Renewable
        • Financial Institutions
        • Healthcare
        • Manufacturing
        • Real Estate
        • Technology
        • Transportation
        • More
      • Prepare & Prevent
      • Services
        • Risk Control
        • Claim
        • Premium Audit
        • More
      • Pay Your Bill
      • Small Business
      • Large Business
      • Multinational Business
      • For Business Overview
    • Tips for Managing Risks Related to a Remote Workforce

      Tips for Managing Risks Related to a Remote Workforce

      With the current reality of more employees working from home through the pandemic, is your business ready for all the implications?

      Learn more
  • Claim Center
      • Claim Center
      • Should I File a Claim?
      • File a Claim
      • Roadside Assistance
      • Find a Service Provider
      • Check Your Claim Status
      • Manage Your Claim Experience
        • Understanding the Claim Process
        • Claim Guide Library
        • Workers Compensation Resources
      • Claim Capabilities
    • Send us your receipts, photos, invoices and more with just a push of a button.

      Securely share information with your Claim team.

      Send us your receipts, photos, invoices and more with just a push of a button.

      Upload a File
  • Prepare & Prevent
      • For Individuals
      • Home Central
        • Buying & Selling
        • Home Maintenance
        • Home Renovation
        • Home Safety
        • Moving
        • Smart Home
      • Travelers Garage
        • Buying & Selling
        • Car Maintenance
        • Distracted Driving
        • Safe Driving
        • Teen Driving
        • Boating
      • Insurance 101
      • Weather
      • For Business
      • Industries
        • Construction
        • Energy
        • Manufacturing
        • Nonprofit
        • Small Business
        • Technology
      • Topics
        • Business Continuity
        • Cyber
        • Driver and Fleet Safety
        • Facilities Management
        • Internet of Things
        • Product and Services Liability
        • Supply Chain Management
        • Workplace Safety
      • Travelers Risk Index
    • Managing Through COVID-19

      Managing Through COVID-19

      Resources to help you adapt to the realities of COVID-19.

      Learn more
  • Home
  • Prepare & Prevent
  • Home Central
  • Insuring
  • Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Burst Pipes?
Get a Quote*
Homeowners

INDIVIDUAL

COMBINE & SAVE

Or Call 1.888.695.4625 1.555.555.5555 1.777.777.7777 1.888.342.5977 1.844.754.0044 1.855.656.3103 1.844.403.1464 1.844.719.2120 to get a quote.* Retrieve a saved quote
Find an Agent Log in to MyTravelers®

Travelers is proud to work with the finest Independent Agents

Travelers customer? Log in to MyTravelers®

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Burst Pipes?

Water flood on basement floor Water flood on basement floor

Accidental water damage that occurs as a result of a sudden, unexpected occurrence like a burst pipe, is often covered by a homeowners insurance policy. In addition, cleaning, repair or replacement of wood flooring, drywall and even furniture due to water damage as a result of a burst pipe typically are covered. However, if you ignore a known leak or other long-standing problem, there may not be coverage for your claim.

Does Home Insurance Cover Frozen Pipes?

Typically, your homeowners insurance covers cleaning and required repairs due to water damage that is a result of a frozen pipe that has burst. If you turned off your heat when leaving your house for a few days, causing the pipes to freeze when outdoor temperatures dropped, your claim may not be covered.

Taking smart steps to maintain and protect your pipes can help you prevent a freeze-related disaster. Replace the thermostat’s battery and set your thermostat to a minimum of 55° when you’ll be away from home. If you’ll be gone for an extended period, consider asking a relative or friend to check on your house and make sure the heat is running as needed. If you’re planning to leave your home for the entire winter, winterize your home. This includes fully draining your home’s plumbing system and shutting off your water.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Line Breaks?

Most homeowners insurance policies will not cover water line breaks unless a line has undergone sudden, significant damage. For example, if you dig in your yard and accidentally damage the water line running from your meter, repairs and cleanup may be covered. However, if a water line breaks on your property due to age, regular wear and tear, poor initial installation, frequent ground temperature changes, shifting soil, or damage from pests or encroaching tree roots, the break and resulting water damage isn’t likely to fall under your regular coverage. 

If a water main breaks, your city or town is responsible for fixing the break, but you often will be responsible for repair or replacement of the water main supply line connected to your house. If your home is damaged from a public water main break, contact your municipality as well as your insurance company.

What Coverage Do You Need for Broken Pipes?

Accidental water damage is often part of dwelling coverage, personal property coverage and/or loss of use coverage. Speak to your insurance representative to make sure water damage is a covered loss in each of these home insurance policy components.

Dwelling Coverage

Dwelling coverage is a main component of a home insurance policy. It can help pay to rebuild or repair the physical structure of your home in the event of accidental water damage, fire, severe weather, vandalism or another covered cause of loss.

Your dwelling coverage limits are based on the estimated cost of rebuilding your home. It’s a good idea to check in with your insurance agent about your home’s replacement cost yearly, especially after making improvements. Even small improvements can affect the cost to rebuild your home.

Property Coverage

Personal property coverage helps cover your belongings, such as furniture, clothing, sporting goods or electronics, in the event of a covered loss – whether they get damaged at your home, apartment or anywhere in the world.

In the case of accidental water damage from a burst pipe, this means payment for professional cleaning or replacement of furniture and personal belongings, as long as accidental water damage is a covered cause of loss in your policy.

Many policies provide for personal property to be covered at actual cash value rather than replacement cost. You may be able to enhance your policy with full replacement cost coverage.

Loss of Use Coverage

Loss of use coverage, also known as additional living expenses insurance, can help pay for the additional costs you incur for reasonable housing and living expenses if a covered event makes your house temporarily uninhabitable while it’s being repaired or rebuilt. So, if a burst pipe has caused covered damage to your home making it unlivable, this coverage could offset things like hotel expenses and boarding for your pet while your home is repaired or rebuilt.

What Water Damage Isn’t Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Your base homeowners insurance policy may not cover water damage from:

  • Sewage backup
  • Sump pump failure
  • Flooding

To help protect yourself against flooding, backup or sump pump failure, you would need to purchase separate insurance policies or add-ons to your homeowners coverage. Pipe and appliance maintenance falls under the homeowner’s responsibility.

Learn More about Homeowners Coverage

Learn more about homeowners coverage options from Travelers.

Learn More About Home Insurance

More Prepare & Prevent

Common Signs of Plumbing Problems [Video]

Water damage due to a plumbing problem in your home can be life-changing. But there are some common signs that homeowners can look for, and steps they can take, to help avoid a major water issue at home.

Looking at water sensor app

Using Smart Sensors to Help Prevent Water Damage at Home

Every surface in your home is exposed to potential water damage. The smart technology in water-sensor systems can help quickly alert homeowners of potential leaks to help prevent an unhappy homecoming.

woman tending to pipes under a sink

Basic Home Maintenance Tips to Help Protect Against Water Damage

Do you want to reduce the chances of water damage in your house? Here are some home maintenance tips that Travelers risk control specialists recommend.

Top Stories
a dishwasher filled with dishes

Best Practices to Protect Your Home While You're Away

Most water damage that homeowners experience is the result of leaks in pipes and connections frequently due to maintenance issues. Here are some tips to consider, to help you avoid damage to or loss of your property.

  • Learn more

Related Content

  • How to Help Prevent Water Damage in Your Home [Video]
  • Home Maintenance Checklist: 10 Easy Things to Do Monthly
  • Protecting Your Home from Storm Water Damage

Home Insurance

Protect your home the way it protects you by choosing the property insurance coverage that meets your needs.


Personal Property Coverage

Personal property insurance can cover your belongings if they’re damaged in a covered loss.


See All Home Insuring Content


Travelers logo

Travelers and The Travelers Umbrella are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries.
© 2023 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved.

  • Travelers on Facebook
  • Travelers on YouTube
  • Travelers on Twitter
  • Travelers on LinkedIn
  • Travelers on Instagram

Products & Services

  • For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • Claim Services
  • Prepare & Prevent

Our Company

  • About Travelers
  • Careers
  • Investors
  • Sustainability
  • Travelers Institute

Connect

  • Customer Support
  • MyTravelers®
  • For Agents
  • Find an Agent

Legal & Compliance

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy & Security
  • Cookie Settings
  • Accessibility
  • Producer Compensation Disclosure

*Quotes may not be available in all states or for all products. In CA, quotes for all products must be obtained through a local independent agent.