Are Slab Leaks Covered By Insurance?

Are Slab Leaks Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Whether a slab leak is covered by homeowners insurance largely depends on the cause of the leak and the specifics of your policy.

Insurance companies typically distinguish between "sudden and accidental" damage and damage caused by long-term neglect or normal wear and tear.

For example, sudden pipe bursts under the slab caused by unexpected incidents like freezing, accidental impact, or abrupt pressure changes are often covered.

Gradual deterioration, such as corrosion from old pipes or slow soil movement, usually isn't covered, as insurance providers consider it a maintenance issue. For example:

• Allstate will cover the cost of removing and replacing the slab to access the broken pipe, but typically won't pay for the plumbing repair itself.
• Liberty Mutual covers damage caused by sudden leaks but excludes damage due to maintenance issues.

It's important to review your individual policy carefully and speak with your insurance representative to fully understand what is (and isn't) covered in the event of a slab leak.

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What Types of Slab Leak Damage Will Insurance Cover?

Insurance tends to cover the resulting damage, rather than the plumbing repair itself. Here's a quick breakdown:

1. Tearing out and replacing the slab: If a covered peril causes the leak, your policy may pay for the demolition and replacement of the slab sections necessary to access the leak.
2. Water damage to the structure: Waterlogged floors, walls, or foundations damaged by the slab leak are often covered under the dwelling portion of your policy.
3. Damage to personal belongings: If furniture, electronics, or other possessions are damaged by water from the leak, your personal property coverage might apply.

However, repairs to the actual broken pipe are typically considered the homeowner's responsibility.

Some policies offer endorsements (add-on coverages) for broader protection, such as service line coverage or additional water backup coverage. Always check for these options if you're concerned about slab leak risks.

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What Should I Do if I Discover a Slab Leak?

If you suspect you have a slab leak, quick action is key to protecting your home and preserving your chance of having insurance cover the damage:

• Turn off your water supply: Do this immediately to prevent further flooding or damage.
• Document everything: Take photos or videos of visible water damage, wet floors, water stains, mold, or foundation cracks.
• Notify your insurance company: File a claim as soon as possible. Provide all documentation and cooperate with their inspection process.
• Review your repair options: In many cases, simply fixing the leak isn't enough. You might consider a more permanent solution to avoid future issues.

Consider Repiping Outdated Materials

If your home still has aging or vulnerable piping materials, such as galvanized steel, you could be at higher risk for future leaks that may not be covered under insurance.

At Repipe Specialists, we often recommend rerouting new water lines through walls, ceilings, and attics to avoid the risk of slab leaks altogether. This not only helps eliminate the immediate slab leak problem, but also gives you peace of mind knowing there are no pipes located in or under your slab foundation.

A full home repipe is faster and easier than you might think. We have an article that breaks down everything you need to know about how long our full home repipes take.

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Get a Quote for Permanently Fixing Slab Leaks.

Here at Repipe Specialists, we've completed thousands of slab leak repipes across the country, rerouting the home's plumbing through walls and ceilings to eliminate the possibility of slab leaks occurring. We also consistently receive positive feedback from customers about their overall home repipe experiences. We often exceed their expectations in the following areas:

• Speed: Our repipe crews typically complete a repipe in a day, returning on another day for wall patching.
• Convenience: Through our One-Stop Repipe™ Process, we handle everything from permits, to wall patching, to inspections.
• Cleanliness: Our crews are trained to protect your home while working (we cover all surfaces with protective sheeting), and to clean up fully at the end of each day.
• Peace of Mind: Repipe Specialists is a fully licensed plumber in every state we operate in, and we back all of our repipes with a lifetime warranty.
• Financing programs: To help take the sting out of unplanned repipe expenses, we offer several financing programs.
• Price: As a specialist that performs hundreds of repipes a week, we can deliver high-quality repipes at a lower cost compared to generalist plumbers. A complete repipe typically ranges from $4,500 to $15,000, depending on the size of your home. We have an article that covers repipe cost factors in detail.

Schedule a free in-home consult, and one of our local repipe consultants will explain all your repipe options and provide you with a written, fixed-price quote. Repipe and avoid slab leaks forever.

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