Guide · Winter
Winter freezes and burst pipes
Texas freezes are infrequent but can be costly. A little preparation helps protect your home, and knowing your policy helps if water damage happens.
Before a freeze
Find your shutoff
Know where your main water shutoff valve is and make sure it turns. Show everyone in the household.
Protect exposed pipes
Insulate pipes in attics, garages, crawl spaces and exterior walls, and cover outdoor faucets. Disconnect garden hoses.
Keep heat on
Keep the thermostat set to a steady temperature, including when you travel. Opening cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls lets warm air reach the pipes.
Drip faucets
During a hard freeze, letting faucets on exterior walls drip slowly can help keep water moving.
If a pipe bursts
Shut off the main water supply right away, and turn off electricity to affected areas if it is safe to do so. Photograph the damage, start drying the area and move belongings out of harm’s way, keeping receipts for any emergency repairs or water mitigation services.
Report the claim to your insurance company as soon as you can, using the claims number on your policy or carrier app. We are happy to help you understand the process.
How homeowners policies typically handle water damage
Many homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, such as a pipe that bursts, but generally exclude damage from long-term leaks, seepage or neglect. Water backup from drains or sewers is usually an optional add-on, and flood from rising surface water is typically excluded and requires a separate flood policy.
Some policies have specific conditions about freeze damage in vacant homes or when heat is not maintained. Coverage varies by carrier and policy, so we recommend reviewing your declarations page and endorsements, or asking us to review them with you.
Review your home coverage
We can check water backup, dwelling and loss-of-use coverage and compare options from multiple carriers.
Related coverage and guides
Home insurance
Water backup, dwelling and loss-of-use coverage.
Landlord insurance
Freeze prep matters for vacant or rented homes too.
Hail season
Spring storm prep for Texas homeowners.
Why work with Prout Insurance Agency
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As an independent agency we are appointed with multiple insurance companies. That lets us compare coverage and price side by side instead of fitting you into one company’s products, and re-shop your policy if a renewal stops making sense.
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This page is general information, not a policy or a promise of coverage. Coverage, limits, exclusions and availability vary by carrier, policy and location; your policy documents govern.
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