Texas is known for having hellishly hot summers; the residents are used to it but for visitors it can be brutal. This week's weather in Texas is in the single digits, with below 0 wind chills in many areas. So it seems to some extent that hell has actually frozen over. Texas is not the only state suffering; other southern states that generally don't get cold are experiencing frigid temperatures as well as ice and snow.
We've already had questions from colleagues about frozen pipes and what is and isn't covered. In light of the fact that much of the country is frozen over as well as having sleet, freezing rain and snow, we have put together a collection of previous questions and answers and articles surrounding such topics.
One of the first things to come up has been frozen pipes due to rolling brown or blackouts by the power company. The standard homeowners policy requires the insured to maintain heat in the dwelling in order for frozen pipes to be covered. What happens when the insured cannot keep the pipe warm because of the power company? The homeowners policy will provide coverage. A rolling brownout is not the fault of the insured; it is not the insured turning the thermostat too low when going to Florida for the winter or otherwise not winterizing the house in some way.
Remember, heat should never be set below 55 in order to prevent pipes from freezing. Having said that, in areas where homes may not be well insulated, even keeping the heat running, opening the cupboards and keeping the water running in severely cold temperatures may not be enough to prevent frozen pipes. As long as the insured is responsible and does his best to keep things warm, there should be coverage.
However pipes are behind walls. The cost to tear out the walls to get to the pipes is covered; the cost to repair the pipes however, is not. Personal property is covered also, as accidental discharge is a named peril under Coverage C.
The commercial property causes of loss special form, CP 10 30, has similar wording to the homeowners form; freezing is excluded unless the insured did her best to maintain heat in the building, or drained the pipes and shut off the water supply.
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU, is Executive Editor of FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation, a division of National Underwriter Company and ALM. Christine has over thirty years’ experience in the insurance industry, beginning as a claims adjuster then working as an underwriter and underwriting supervisor handling personal lines. Christine regularly presents and moderates webinars on a variety of topics and is an experienced presenter.