Imagine waking up to a seemingly innocent puddle in your home only to discover it’s a symptom of a much larger problem lurking beneath your feet.
Slab leaks are often invisible problems in your home and they can be incredibly destructive. Undetected slab leaks can leave homeowners grappling with substantial repair bills and a huge mess.
If you’ve discovered you have a slab leak—or are wondering what is a slab leak—your next question is probably going to be: “Is a slab leak covered by insurance?”
And you hope the answer is “Yes!” But it’s not a simple yes or no answer. This is why we have put together this informative blog.
Join us on a journey through the maze of insurance coverage as we uncover the truth behind the important question: is a slab leak covered by insurance?
Understanding Your Insurance Policy: Is That Slab Leak Repair Covered?
Typically, insurance companies look at slab leaks similarly to how they look at a leak in your roof.
For example, when you have a roof leak ordinarily, many home insurance companies will cover damage from the water that leaked in your home. They often do not pay for the roof repair as they consider this a normal homeowner responsibility.
The most common exception is if you have a special rider on your policy that covers your roof repairs.
Similarly, with a slab leak, home insurance policies typically pay for the water damage that a slab leak may cause, but most times they do not pay for the actual repair as they consider this a normal homeowner responsibility.
So damaged flooring, drywall, cabinetry, and carpets may be covered under your home insurance policy following a slab leak.
In other instances, insurance policies will pay for the leak detection and the drywall restorations as part of a slab leak damage repair service.
Additionally, look at your “dwelling coverage,” which might help pay for the slab removal and replacement. However, unfortunately, when it comes to a damaged pipe or other plumbing repair, the homeowner is typically responsible for these costs.
No matter what the specific issues are, you will need a professional to come out and assess the cause and determine the necessary slab leak repairs.
Is a Slab Leak Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
We find that each insurance company has different processes and procedures when it comes to slab leak coverage.
Usually, slab leak damage is covered when it comes to water damage, but it must be sudden and accidental. If the damage is determined to be caused by neglect, insurance likely won’t cover your losses.
In rare instances, we have seen an insurance company cover the entire repair and damage. We are giving a shout-out to USAA for the extraordinary treatment of one of our veterans serviced a number of years ago.
Additionally, your home insurance agent may also have an influence on payments or non-payments.
It’s important to weigh all the unique factors of your slab leak damage, insurance coverage, and repair costs before making an insurance claim as every situation has different circumstances.
Be sure to carefully read over your policy and talk with your agent for clarification on any points you’re not sure of.
Watch this video that emphasizes how insurance is primarily in place to cover things that happen “suddenly and accidentally,” but not items related to wear-and-tear or maintenance.
Should I File a Claim For My Slab Leak Insurance Coverage?
Before filing a claim, be sure to document the damage to your home. Take photos, itemize every aspect of your home that has suffered damage, and consider even making a video of the damage.
Then, take a close look at what your homeowners’ insurance policy covers and what it leaves out. Look for the “dwelling coverage” in the policy. This will lay out the coverage provided for any needed repairs to your building structure.
California law can make it very difficult to understand your rights and whether California homeowners can recover from their insurer subsidence damages. It is important to look closely at the “losses not insured” portion of your policy.
Remember, every individual situation varies. If you have a very low deductible, making a claim may be worthwhile. If you have a higher deductible, a claim that has minimal or no damage is likely not worth the time and expense of filing.
And if you make a slab leak insurance claim, you may see rates increase beyond the dollars that you received from the claim, or be dropped completely.
Recap: Does Insurance Cover My Slab Leak Repair?
Because coverage for slab leaks varies widely among insurance policies, it’s essential to review your specific plan and consult with your provider.
Being proactive and understanding your coverage can help you navigate potential issues and protect your home from unexpected expenses.
And there are a few critical first steps to take when you discover that slab leak. For example, you’ll want to turn your main water supply to prevent further water damage.
Of course, you will need to call your local slab leak repair company right away. The sooner you get this problem resolved, the better.
Slab leaks don’t improve over time, they only get worse, causing more damage and greater costs to you.
Give us a call today! 949-855-1032
FAQs Regarding Does Insurance Cover My Slab Leak Repair?
How much does it cost to fix a leak under a concrete slab?
A slab leak repair cost covers a wide range, as so many different factors are involved and the type of fix made. Foundation damage, broken pipe(s), and other plumbing leak damage will increase the cost.
Should I call home insurance for a water leak?
You should call your insurance agent as soon as possible. But document the damage with photos, video, written descriptions, etc. which will help you to make your claim. A plumbing repair will not be as serious as a foundation repair, so it’s important to find out exactly what the underlying problem is. If it’s a slab leak, you will need a slab leak repair specialist.
Should I trust an insurance adjuster?
An adjuster works for the insurance company. They are there to protect the interests of the home insurance provider. While your homeowners’ insurance policy offers you some protection, resolving the plumbing problem is ultimately your responsibility. Make sure you read your policy, and call your agent with any questions.