Frozen Pipes and Denied Claims: Why Heating Your Home This Winter is Non-Negotiable

In the last few weeks, we’ve had dozens of homeowners reach out to us for help with burst pipe claims. Sadly, we had to turn down a number of these claims, not because the damage wasn’t substantial, but because they didn’t meet their insurance policy requirements. Here’s what happened and why it’s a cautionary tale for every homeowner heading into the winter months.

Real Stories from Homeowners with Burst Pipe Damage

Each homeowner’s situation was unique, but the outcome was the same: we knew their claim would not gather any traction due to the absence of heating in their property in the days/weeks leading up to the claim event.

Case #1: The Holiday Gone Wrong

One homeowner left for a two-week vacation during the winter season. Upon returning, they found their entire home waterlogged. A pipe on the second floor had frozen and burst, causing water to cascade through the walls and floors. The damage was extensive—impacting multiple rooms and their personal property.

During our consulation and site inspection, we found that the homeowner had turned off the heat before leaving, and the insurance policy specifically required that the home be kept at a minimum temperature during the winter to prevent frozen pipes.

Case #2: The Unoccupied Holiday Home

Another homeowner owned a holiday property that they visited occasionally. After a long stretch of not visiting, they discovered massive water damage caused by a burst pipe that had been frozen. The water had soaked into the floors, walls, and possibly all the way down to the foundation. We estimated the damage to be well over $500,000.

Unfortunately, the insurance policy required the homeowner to maintain heat in the property during the winter months. Because the home had been left unheated for months, we would not assist this homeowner.

Why Insurance Companies Deny Frozen Pipe Claims Without Heat

These real-life examples highlight a crucial policy condition that many homeowners overlook:

Home insurance policies often require that your property is maintained at a minimum temperature during the winter.

When pipes freeze, the water inside them expands, causing the pipe to crack or burst. Once the pipe thaws, water starts pouring out uncontrollably, leading to severe water damage in your home.

Insurance companies know that frozen pipes are preventable with proper heating. That’s why many policies include specific temperature requirements, typically around 55°F, to ensure that pipes don’t freeze.

What Every Homeowner Needs to Do Before Winter Hits

If you want to ensure that your burst pipe claim is covered in the event of damage, follow these critical steps:

✅ Keep the Heat On — Even When You’re Away

Whether you’re leaving for a weekend or a few weeks, never turn off your heating system in the winter. Ensure that the heat is set to at least the minimum temperature specified in your insurance policy. Typically, this is around 55°F, but you should double-check your policy to be sure.

✅ Winterize Holiday or Vacant Homes

If you have a second home or holiday property that you don’t visit regularly, it’s essential to winterize it before the temperature drops.

Keep the heat running at a minimum temperature.

Have someone check on the property regularly to ensure there are no issues.

Consider installing a smart thermostat to monitor the temperature remotely.

✅ Insulate Pipes

Pipes in unheated areas of your home, like basements, crawl spaces, or garages, are more vulnerable to freezing.

Insulate exposed pipes to help prevent freezing.

Install pipe sleeves or heat tape for additional protection.

Know Your Policy Conditions

Every homeowner should take the time to read their insurance policy to understand the specific conditions for frozen pipe coverage. Many policies clearly state that failure to maintain heat in the home will result in a denied claim.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming your claim will be covered just because you have insurance. If you don’t follow the policy conditions, your insurer may deny your claim—even for substantial damage.

We’re Here to Help — But You Need to Protect Your Home First

At JF Public Adjusters, we’re passionate about helping homeowners get the maximum settlement on their insurance claims. However, when policies require certain conditions to be met—like maintaining heat to prevent frozen pipes—there’s very little we can do if those conditions aren’t followed.

We want to help you, but you need to help yourself first.

👉 Keep the heat on this winter.

👉 Read your policy to understand the requirements.

👉 If you experience damage, reach out to us for a free claim review and consultation.

Remember: Preventive steps today can save you from a denied claim and thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses tomorrow.

Stay Protected This Winter

If you’ve already experienced water damage from a frozen pipe, don’t panic—give us a call. We’ll review your claim and fight to get you the best possible outcome.

📞 JF Public Adjusters – Your Trusted Partner for Property Claims.