"Well, if your pipes burst, that's bad news."
That is why Karl Newman, executive director of the Northwest Insurance Council, recommends homeowners do all they can to prevent their water pipes from bursting. Wrapping exposed pipes, keeping the thermostat set at a minimum of 65 degrees. Because once a pipe freezes, some damage is almost inevitable.
It happened Tuesday afternoon at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, displacing several students who live in this dormitory. It happened also at this condominium complex in Renton. Making repairs is expensive but, says Newman, homeowners do not have to go it alone.
"The good news is if you have homeowners insurance it is a covered loss because insurance is designed to cover sudden and accidental things," said Newman. "Not lack of home maintenance or water coming in from the surface which would be flooding. If your home is flooded from a burst pipe you're covered.
But, says Newman, if you move out your house while you still own it, you will need additional insurance.
Traditional homeowners insurance covers damage in an empty house for just 30 days.
KIRO
