Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage in Florida?

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage in Florida?

Homeowners insurance in Florida typically covers sudden and accidental water damage, such as a burst pipe or a plumbing failure that causes immediate flooding. However, coverage is rarely guaranteed and often comes with significant exclusions:

• Gradual leaks or long-term pipe corrosion: These are usually not covered. Insurance providers expect homeowners to maintain their plumbing and prevent predictable failures.
• Certain types of plumbing, such as polybutylene pipes: These may be excluded entirely due to their high risk of failure. Many insurers, including Citizens Property Insurance and Allstate, either deny coverage for polybutylene or only cover damage from "sudden and accidental" leaks. We discuss this in more detail in the next section of this article.

It's essential to review your policy carefully. Some insurers may offer endorsements or riders that expand coverage for older or high-risk pipes, but these often come with higher premiums. In some cases, annual premiums for homes with aging plumbing can far exceed the cost of repiping the outdated pipes themselves.

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What Water Damage Does Insurance Cover in Florida?

Understanding the nuances of water damage coverage is crucial for Florida homeowners. Insurance policies vary, and coverage often depends on the cause and nature of the water damage. Here's a breakdown of what is typically covered by major Florida insurers:

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation

Citizens provides coverage for water damage resulting from sudden and accidental incidents, such as a burst pipe. However, there are limitations:

• Managed Repair Program: If you opt into Citizens' Managed Repair Program, you may receive emergency water removal and drying services. The coverage for water mitigation is limited to $3,000 after any applicable deductible. This amount reduces the total $10,000 limit for water damage claims. Policyholders must notify Citizens of the loss and allow an adjuster to inspect the property before repairs begin. This information was sourced from the Florida Insurance Agency.
• Exclusions: Citizens does not cover water damage caused by weather-related events unless the policy includes specific endorsements. Similarly, properties with signs of active leaks, unrepaired water damage, plumbing systems not in good working order, or polybutylene plumbing are not eligible for coverage with Citizens.

Allstate Insurance

Allstate's homeowners insurance policies generally cover water damage if the cause is sudden and accidental. Examples include:

• Burst Pipes: If a pipe bursts unexpectedly, leading to water damage, Allstate typically provides coverage for repairs and associated damages.
• Appliance Malfunctions: Damage from appliance failures, such as a washing machine leak, is usually covered under Allstate's standard policy.

However, it's essential to review your specific policy, as coverage details can vary. For instance, Allstate may not cover water damage resulting from gradual leaks or poor maintenance.

For homeowners with polybutylene or other high-risk pipes, standard policies almost never cover the replacement of failing plumbing. The Guadiana v. State Farm ruling in 2012 reinforced that insurance providers are not responsible for replacing outdated or defective plumbing systems.

Florida homeowners should also note that standard policies usually do not cover flood damage, and separate flood insurance is recommended. Damage caused by poor maintenance or gradual leaks is typically excluded, and mold coverage is limited, often applying only if it results from a covered water damage event.

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How Much Does Water Damage Restoration Cost in Florida?

The cost of water damage restoration can vary widely depending on the severity of the damage and the affected areas of your home. Some factors that influence restoration costs include:

1. Extent of the damage: Minor leaks may require simple cleanup, while catastrophic floods can necessitate structural repairs.
2. Mold remediation: Water damage often leads to mold growth, which adds to restoration costs if not addressed quickly.



3. Home size and construction type: Larger homes or homes with multiple floors are often more expensive to restore.

On average, restoration costs can range from a few thousand dollars for minor leaks to tens of thousands for extensive damage, especially if mold remediation and structural repairs are required.

Preventing damage before it happens, through timely repiping or proactive plumbing maintenance, can save you thousands of dollars in restoration costs.

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Will Repiping Prevent Water Damage in My Florida Home?

A full-home repipe is one of the most effective ways to protect your Florida home from water damage. Aging or high-risk plumbing is often the root cause of leaks, burst pipes, and insurance exclusions. Replacing outdated pipes with modern materials like PEX or copper reduces the risk of leaks and ensures your plumbing meets current durability and safety standards—helping you maintain your homeowners insurance.

Polybutylene pipes, common in Florida homes built from the 1970s to the mid-1990s, are particularly prone to failure. Even if your insurance covers sudden leaks, it rarely covers pipe replacement. A full repipe can:

• Prevent catastrophic water damage: Modern piping lowers the risk of sudden pipe bursts that could flood your home.
• Reduce long-term maintenance costs: PEX and copper resist corrosion, scaling, and cracking—common causes of leaks over time.
• Maintain insurance eligibility: Homes with high-risk pipes may face exclusions, higher premiums, or denied claims. A repipe helps avoid these risks.

Repiping also improves water pressure and flow, enhancing daily convenience. Hidden slow leaks behind walls or under cabinets often go unnoticed until they cause significant damage, costing thousands in restoration. A full-home repipe addresses these risks, protecting both your home and finances.

In short, a full-home repipe is a long-term investment in water damage prevention and insurance security. By addressing plumbing risks at their source, Florida homeowners can avoid unexpected restoration costs and enjoy a reliable, worry-free water system.

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Get a Free Quote to Repipe Your Florida Home

At Repipe Specialists, we've helped thousands of Florida homeowners protect their properties from costly water damage. One of the leading causes of water damage claims is old or failing plumbing. By replacing outdated pipes with a full-home repipe, you can reduce the risk of water damage, avoid potential insurance headaches, and enjoy peace of mind knowing your plumbing is built to last. We consistently deliver results in:

• Speed: Our repipe crews typically complete a repipe in a day, returning on another day for wall patching.
• Convenience: Through ou 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 vs generalist plumbers. We have an article that covers repipe cost factors in detail. Our quotes typically range from $4,500 to $15,000 depending on the size and complexity of your project.

Schedule a free in-home consult to review your options and get a fixed-price quote. With durable new piping, you'll worry less about restoration costs and enjoy a safer, more reliable home.

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