WATER DAMAGE & SLAB LEAK CLAIMSfor Houston homeowners.
A burst supply line, a leak under the slab, a water heater that let go overnight. Water claims are among the most common homeowners claims in Texas, and among the most often denied or underpaid. We know the reasons insurers give because we used to write them.
WATER CLAIMS we see every week.
SLAB LEAKS
Leaks in plumbing under a slab foundation, and the cost to tear out and replace the floor and slab to reach the pipe.
BURST & FROZEN PIPES
Sudden pipe failures, including freeze damage like Houston saw in the February 2021 winter storm.
APPLIANCE FAILURES
Water heaters, washing machine hoses, dishwashers, ice-maker lines and AC condensate overflows.
STORM-DRIVEN WATER
Rain that enters through a roof or window opening created by wind or hail. See our storm damage guide.
MOLD FROM A COVERED LEAK
Mold remediation tied to a covered water loss, often subject to a separate, lower limit.
Flood is different. Rising water from outside is usually excluded from homeowners policies and covered, if at all, by a separate flood policy.
THE FIVE DENIALS we see most.
Each one turns on facts: when the leak started, where the water came from, and what the policy actually says. Facts can be tested.
- 01"Continuous or repeated leakage"Many policies exclude water that leaked over weeks rather than all at once. Whether the leak was sudden is often a battle of experts, and the insurer's expert isn't the last word.
- 02"Wear and tear" or "deterioration"An old pipe can still fail suddenly. Many policies exclude the worn-out part itself but still cover the water damage it causes.
- 03"Foundation movement" or "settling"In slab leak claims, insurers often blame cracks on soil movement. Plumbing leak tests, engineering reports and the policy's tear-out language all matter here.
- 04"Late notice"Hidden leaks are hard to spot. In Texas, an insurer generally has to show it was actually harmed by late notice before it can deny for that reason.
- 05"Mold is excluded"Mold coverage varies by policy and endorsement. Even where it is limited, the underlying water damage may still be owed.
WHAT TO DO after you find a leak.
In a water claim, the first plumber's invoice often decides the case. If it says "long-term leak," get a second opinion before the insurer reads it.
WATER DAMAGE CLAIM FAQ
Does homeowners insurance cover slab leaks in Texas?
Often, at least in part. Many Texas policies cover sudden water damage from a plumbing leak and the cost to tear out and replace part of the house to reach the leak. Whether the pipe repair itself and any foundation damage are covered depends on your policy form and endorsements.
My insurer says the leak was going on for weeks. Is that the end of it?
No. That conclusion usually comes from one inspector's opinion. Moisture mapping, plumbing records and an independent expert can tell a different story about when the leak began.
Is mold covered?
It depends on your policy. Many Texas policies exclude mold or cap remediation at a lower limit, but cover mold that results from a covered water loss. Read the mold endorsement closely.
Who pays for the mitigation company?
Reasonable emergency mitigation after a covered loss is typically part of the claim. Get an itemized invoice and send it to your adjuster in writing.