Inside This Article:
- A rare cold snap in Florida caused extensive plumbing damage, with many homeowners facing costly repairs due to frozen pipes and burst water lines.
- Each year, around 250,000 homes in the U.S. experience damage from frozen pipes, and a single burst pipe can lead to over $5,000 in repair costs.
- Due to Florida’s challenging insurance market, many Homeowners Insurance policies may limit or exclude coverage for water damage from frozen pipes.
- Preventative measures like insulating pipes, maintaining indoor heat, and installing automatic water shutoff devices can help reduce the risk of costly damage.
- Homeowners should review their insurance policies and consult an experienced broker to understand coverage limitations and avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.
A recent cold front in the Sunshine State left some homeowners with costly plumbing damage after subfreezing temperatures caused burst pipes and frozen water lines. The Big Bend, Florida, region saw a surge in plumbing issues for homeowners, with plumbers telling news outlet WTXL that they were “inundated” with calls.
The cold snap brought unusually low temperatures to parts of Florida — the coldest weather the state had seen since 2018. In Milton, Florida, a winter storm dropped a record-breaking 8.8 inches of snow.
“That kind of cold is not something that Floridians often experience. Usually by the time snowflakes hit the ground, they have already melted,” said Marc Linton, Senior Underwriter, Personal Insurance, Burns & Wilcox, Orlando, Florida. “Most Florida homeowners are not prepared for freezing pipes. They are not expecting it to stay that cold that long.”
Usually by the time snowflakes hit the ground (in Florida), they have already melted. Most Florida homeowners are not prepared for freezing pipes. They are not expecting it to stay that cold that long.
Although damage from frozen pipes that burst would usually be covered under a standard Homeowners Insurance policy, this is not always the case, particularly in Florida, said Kate Wright, Associate Vice President, Senior Regional Practice Group Leader, Personal Insurance, Burns & Wilcox, Indianapolis, Indiana.
“Due to the challenging insurance market in Florida over the last couple of years, it is not uncommon for carriers to limit the amount of water damage coverage provided under their Homeowners Insurance policies in the state of Florida or perhaps require higher water damage deductibles in the event of a loss,” Wright said. “It is really important for homeowners to know and understand their insurance coverages and limitations.”
The cost of frozen pipes
In Northeast Tallahassee, one plumber told WTXL that many homeowners were facing “significant” damages to their plumbing systems after the recent freeze, while others experienced caved-in roofs and damage to pool enclosures due to the snow and ice, according to WCTV in Tallahassee.
Although the sight of snow on beaches and palm trees “had to have been incredibly surreal” for residents and visitors to the area, Wright said, the unusual weather also brought a harsh reminder for residents about the risk of plumbing leaks.
“Water damage is one of the leading causes of residential property losses in terms of frequency and cost,” she said. “Busted pipes, whether it is a slow leak or it is sudden and abrupt, can cause significant damage and require costly repairs and remediation.”
According to the Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness, an estimated 250,000 homes in the U.S. are damaged each winter due to frozen water pipes, and a small eighth-inch crack in a pipe could cause a leak of up to 250 gallons of water per day. One burst pipe can cause more than $5,000 in damage, according to Milwaukee Water Works, especially when a leak is not identified right away, or mold develops.
“Residents may also need to temporarily vacate the home while the damages are being repaired,” Wright said, noting that these additional living expenses could be covered by insurance.
Water damage is one of the leading causes of residential property losses in terms of frequency and cost. Busted pipes, whether it is a slow leak or it is sudden and abrupt, can cause significant damage and require really costly repairs and remediation.
According to Linton, water damage from these incidents “could be immense.”
Water damage is Canada’s leading cause of home insurance claims, accounting for about half of all claims. In British Columbia, Canada, in January 2024, emergency services and restoration companies were “overwhelmed” with calls from residents facing burst pipes after the region was hit with extreme cold temperatures, Global News reported at the time.
“In Canada, we’re generally more accustomed to freezing temperatures, so homeowners here are often more mindful of the risks of frozen pipes. However, it’s still crucial to ensure that all homes are properly prepared,” said Michelle Allemang, Manager, British Columbia National Product Leader, Personal Insurance, Burns & Wilcox, Vancouver, British Columbia. “We also advise owners of seasonal properties on appropriate winterization. While winterization may not have been a priority in Florida, given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, we can no longer rely solely on historical patterns to predict future conditions.”
Some insurance policies may limit water damage coverage
According to Linton, in addition to the limitations on water damage that are more common on Homeowners Insurance policies in Florida, residents may also find that their policies come with stipulations – such as maintaining heat to a certain temperature. In other cases, homeowners may not have water damage coverage at all.
“If they have had prior water losses, or have certain types of plumbing, more than likely they are going to have a water damage exclusion,” Linton said. “There would be no coverage for freezing pipes, regardless of precautionary steps taken.”
It's essential to have a conversation with your insurance broker to fully understand your coverage, particularly when it comes to water damage.
Insurance carriers “are looking for ways to mitigate their water exposure, so that is why you are seeing a lot of limitations around Florida,” Wright said. “Homeowners may think they have coverage for frozen pipes because it is an accident but if they have a water damage limitation, they may not have full policy limits available.”
“In Canada, comprehensive and broad form Homeowners Insurance policies typically cover water damage caused by frozen pipes, though some markets may impose limits or specify requirements for how a home must be winterized,” Allemang explained. “It’s essential to have a conversation with your insurance broker to fully understand your coverage, particularly when it comes to water damage,” she added.
Preventing plumbing disasters
Even in locations that rarely see freezing temperatures, homeowners should know how to reduce their risk of frozen pipes. Common strategies include insulated pipes, heat tape, and disconnecting and draining outdoor faucets. When homeowners are away from the property, heat should be set to at least 55 degrees and the water system may need to be shut off.
Automatic water shutoff devices may help property owners obtain lower rates or broader coverage, Wright said. “They can detect leaks or excessive water flow and then automatically shut off your water,” she said. “This can save a homeowner thousands of dollars and extensive damage to their home and personal property, not to mention the stress of having to live through repairs and possibly relocating.”
The recent Florida freeze is a reminder to “take the warnings seriously,” Linton said. “As Floridians, we might think it is not going to be that bad — and then it is that bad,” he said. “If you are a homeowner and get those warnings, take it seriously.”
