Why Was My Texas Home Insurance Policy Cancelled?

Why Was My Texas Home Insurance Policy Cancelled?

Insurance policies are canceled for a variety of reasons (including non-payment), but in Texas, the most common causes usually relate to risks that insurers believe could lead to significant claims. These risks may include neglecting home maintenance, unaddressed repairs, or changes in the home's structure or systems that increase the likelihood of damage.

Here are some of the most common reasons Texas homeowners face policy cancellations:

• High-Risk Factors: If your home is deemed a high risk due to certain features, such as outdated plumbing, electrical systems, or roofs, your insurance policy may be canceled or not renewed. High-risk conditions can signal a higher likelihood of future claims, leading insurers to drop coverage.
• Frequent Claims: If you've made numerous claims, insurers may view you as a higher risk. Even if your claims are unrelated, frequent claims can increase your insurance premiums or lead to policy cancellation.
• Inadequate Maintenance: Failing to maintain your home or plumbing systems can result in damage. If your insurance company finds neglected maintenance that could lead to leaks or accidents, your coverage might be canceled. For example, Allstate Insurance states that they will not cover "damage resulting from poor maintenance".

Understanding the specific cause of your policy's cancellation can help you address the underlying issue and prevent future cancellations. Be sure to check your insurance policy for any clauses or exclusions that might relate to home maintenance or specific risks like plumbing.

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What Plumbing Issues Can Lead to Home Insurance Cancellation in Texas?

Plumbing problems are often one of the most overlooked factors in home insurance cancellations.

In Texas, as in other states like Chicago and Florida, insurers assess the overall risk of your home, and plumbing issues can significantly impact that assessment. If your plumbing system is old or at risk of failure, your insurance company may decide to cancel your policy or at least impose exclusions that limit coverage for water damage.

Three common plumbing-related issues that can lead to home insurance cancellations include:

1. Old or Outdated Plumbing: Aging plumbing systems, especially those made of materials like polybutylene pipes or galvanized steel, are prone to leaks and bursts. If your plumbing system is known to fail or is outdated, your insurer might cancel your policy, as they consider it a high-risk feature.



2. Frequent Leaks: If you've had multiple plumbing leaks, whether they are from old pipes or a poorly maintained system, your insurer may cancel your policy. Frequent leaks signal to insurers that your plumbing is a liability, and the cost of future claims could outweigh the premiums they collect.
3. Water Damage History: If your home has a history of significant water damage caused by plumbing failures, your insurance provider may be wary of continuing your coverage. Water damage can lead to mold growth, structural issues, and other expensive repairs, prompting insurers to drop coverage.

To avoid these issues, ensure that your plumbing is regularly inspected and maintained, and address any problems promptly. Replacing old pipes or upgrading to more reliable materials can also improve your chances of keeping your policy intact.

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Can Texas Insurers Cancel a Policy Because of Polybutylene Plumbing?

Polybutylene pipes, commonly used in homes built between the 1970s and 1990s, are notorious for their susceptibility to failure, as made clear by previous litigation against poly-b pipes.

These pipes can become brittle over time, leading to leaks, ruptures, and water damage. As a result, many insurers in Texas consider polybutylene plumbing a significant risk, which can lead to policy cancellations.

Insurers are aware of the high likelihood of failures in polybutylene plumbing systems and may explicitly exclude coverage for damage caused by these pipes. For example, Progressive Insurance explicitly mentions the known faults of polybutylene pipes and how replacement can reduce the risk of plumbing issues. In many cases, insurance companies will not cover any water damage caused by polybutylene plumbing, especially if the pipes are already showing signs of deterioration.

If you have polybutylene plumbing, it's important to check with your insurance company to see if it is listed as an excluded peril. Some insurers may also increase your premiums or limit your coverage due to the presence of polybutylene pipes.

If your insurer cancels your policy or refuses to cover water damage caused by polybutylene plumbing, it's crucial to act quickly to mitigate risks by replacing the plumbing system.

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What to Do If Your Texas Home Insurance Is Cancelled Due to Polybutylene Pipes

If your Texas home insurance has been canceled due to the presence of polybutylene plumbing, you're not alone. Many homeowners with polybutylene pipes face difficulties with their insurance providers.

First, read through your policy to understand the reason for the cancellation. If it's due to polybutylene plumbing, check whether the insurer offers a rider or endorsement to cover the pipes, or whether you can find a new insurer that will provide coverage.

Consider Polybutylene Replacement

One of the most effective ways to secure your home and regain insurance coverage is to replace polybutylene plumbing with more durable materials like Uponor PEX-A tubing or American made type L copper pipe. This not only removes a major liability but also enhances the overall integrity of your home's plumbing system.

We may be biased, but we believe we're one of the experts in polybutylene pipe replacement. Our team will assess your home's plumbing and provide a detailed, cost-effective plan for replacing your old pipes with modern, durable materials.

We'll guide you through the process and help ensure your home meets insurance company standards, making it easier to secure coverage and avoid future cancellations.

Replacing your polybutylene pipes may seem like a significant investment, but it's a necessary step to protect your home and avoid ongoing insurance issues. Once your pipes are replaced, you'll likely find it easier to secure comprehensive homeowners insurance coverage—with the help of Repipe Specialists.

Contact us to have one of our local repipe consultants explain your repipe options and provide you with a consultation and quote, either in-home or remotely.

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Receive a Free Quote for Polybutylene Pipe Replacement in Texas

Here at Repipe Specialists, we've fully replaced polybutylene plumbing in thousands of homes since 1991, using both copper piping and PEX tubing. We continually receive positive feedback from customers about their overall home repipe experiences and 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 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, and one of our local repipe consultants will explain all your repipe options and provide you with a written, fixed-price quote. Fix polybutylene plumbing issues at the source, repipe now.

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