Are Frozen Pipes Covered by Insurance?
- Morgan Williams
- Aug 22, 2025
- 4 min read
Frozen pipes cause thousands of insurance claims each winter, with damages often exceeding $10,000 per incident. In this post, we break down what insurance typically covers related to frozen pipes, what’s excluded, and how Adiabat helps insurers, utilities, and asset managers anticipate freeze risk before it turns into costly claims.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Frozen Pipes?
Typically, yes, but with conditions. Most homeowner's policies cover sudden and accidental water damage from burst frozen pipes. However, insurers usually require that the homeowner provide evidence that they took reasonable steps to prevent the freeze.
What’s usually covered:
Damage to walls, ceilings, floor, and furnishings caused by water release.
Costs to repair or replace the section of the burst plumbing
Temporary living expenses if the home becomes uninhabitable
What’s often excluded:
Preventable damage caused by neglect (e.g., not maintaining heat)
Outdoor plumbing systems, irrigation lines, or sprinkler lines
Long-term wear-and-tear unrelated to freezing
For insurers, this distinction matters; frozen pipe claims are one of the most disputed types of winter claims, often hinging on whether prevention steps were taken.
What Steps can Prevent Denied Frozen Pipe Insurance Claims?
Homeowners need to show that they took preventive action. For insurers and utilities, widespread frozen pipe events can quickly translate into thousands of claims and service disruptions.
Prevention actions homeowners should take:
Keep thermostats consistent. Maintain at least 55°F or above indoors, even when away
Insulate exposed pipes. Especially in attics, crawl spaces, and garages
Shut off and drain outdoor faucets. Disconnect hoses and blow out irrigation lines before the first freeze
Circulate warm air indoors. Open cabinet doors under sinks in kitchens and bathrooms
Why it matters for insurers and utilities: Encouraging these preventive steps can help reduce claims, avoid disputes, and lower the repair cost. For utilities, widespread adoption also reduces frozen service lines and emergency response strain during extreme cold.
Responding to Frozen Pipe Damage: Insurance and Next Steps
Even with preparation, extreme cold can still cause frozen pipes. Acting quickly limits damage and helps with insurance approval.
If pipes freeze, burst, and cause damage:
Turn off the main water supply immediately to prevent further flooding
Thaw pipes carefully with warm air (hair dryer, heating pad, or space heater)
Your insurance company may require you to take reasonable steps to mitigate the damage before or immediately after reporting your claim.
Call a licensed plumber and/or water damage clean-up company to assess and repair the damage
Document the damage with photos and notes before cleanup, and list any damaged items
File your claim promptly to ensure faster processing
Quick action can mean the difference between a minor $300 pipe repair and a $30,000 water damage restoration project. For insurers, homeowners’ response also determines how much of the damage is deemed “accidental” versus “preventable.”
What About Insurance Providers, Utilities, and Asset Managers?
Frozen pipe insurance isn’t just a homeowner's issue. Widespread freeze events can generate tens of thousands of claims, strain utility services, and threaten high-value facilities across a region.
Insurance providers must balance risk exposure with claim payouts, especially when cold-weather events hit multiple states. Frozen pipe insurance claims are one of the most frequent winter losses, and one of the most contested when prevention is questioned.
Utilities face service interruptions and costly emergency repairs when water mains, service lines, or meter pits freeze. Coordinated pipe freeze forecasts can help utilities allocate crews and prevent outages.
Asset managers overseeing hospitals, universities, or commercial buildings need early warnings to protect critical infrastructure. A single burst pipe in a data center or manufacturing facility can cause millions in losses beyond insurance coverage.
The common thread, everyone benefits when frozen pipe risks are anticipated early rather than responded to late.
That’s where Adiabat comes in.
Adiabat helps organizations translate complex weather data into actionable insights that reduce liability and protect assets. Our advanced pipe freeze prediction model identifies where and when pipes are at highest risk, giving decision-makers valuable lead time to act.
Our support includes:
Custom geospatial forecasts and spatial analysis to pinpoint vulnerable areas.
Scenario planning for extreme cold events so organizations know what to expect.
Communication-ready graphics that insurers, utilities, and managers can use to alert policyholders, tenants, or customers.
Fewer burst pipes, fewer insurance disputes, and better protection for property and infrastructure. With better forecasts and proactive planning, frozen pipe insurance losses can be significantly reduced.
Read more about preventing frozen pipes and protecting your property during winter using the following sources:
Red Cross - Preventing & Thawing Frozen Pipes: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes.html
NAIC - Will My Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Water Damage From a Burst Pipe?: https://content.naic.org/article/will-my-homeowners-insurance-policy-cover-water-damage-burst-pipe
The Zebra - Top winter home insurance claims and tips to reduce homeowner costs: https://www.thezebra.com/resources/home/top-winter-home-insurance-claims/
Flume - Water Damage Costs: Restoration vs. Prevention: https://flumewater.com/the-financial-impact-of-water-damage-restoration-vs-prevention-cost/
Disclaimer: This blog post is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or insurance advice. Coverage for pipe freeze events can vary by policy and provider. We strongly recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to understand your specific coverage, exclusions, and responsibilities when it comes to winter weather preparation and pipe-related damage. Always consult a licensed insurance professional for guidance tailored to your situation.
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