When it comes to insuring your home, you might be surprised to learn that the type of plumbing running through your walls can have a major impact on your homeowners insurance quote. In Florida, where water damage claims are a significant concern for home insurance companies, your home’s plumbing system, and more specifically, what the pipes are made of, is a key factor in securing the best insurance quotes.
What type of plumbing does your home have?
This is a major question that homeowners tend not to have an immediate answer for, but it’s important to know, especially if you live in an older home.
Copper: For many decades, copper pipes were the industry standard. Valued for their durability and resistance to corrosion, copper systems can last 50 years or more. From an insurance standpoint, homes with well-maintained copper plumbing are generally viewed favorably, as they present a lower risk of leaks and water damage. However, even copper can develop pinhole leaks over time, especially in areas with hard water (a common concern in some parts of Florida).
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC pipes are lightweight, cost-effective, and corrosion-resistant. They’re primarily used for drain, waste, and vent (DWV) systems and cold water lines. While highly durable for these applications, PVC is typically not used for hot water supply due to temperature limitations. When assessing your home, insurers generally consider PVC for drainage systems to be low-risk, provided it’s installed correctly and shows no signs of damage.
PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene): PEX piping is a flexible plastic tubing that has gained immense popularity in recent decades, particularly in new construction and re-piping projects. PEX is resistant to corrosion, freezing, and scale buildup, with its flexibility reducing the number of joints, making installation quicker and less prone to leaks. That said, some insurance companies won’t accept this type of piping if it’s older than 2010.
Galvanized steel: Common in homes built before the 1960s, galvanized steel pipes are steel pipes coated with zinc. While initially durable, this zinc coating degrades over time, leading to internal corrosion, rust buildup, reduced water pressure, and ultimately, leaks. Florida home insurance quotes for homes with original galvanized plumbing can be difficult to get. The new business guidelines that insurers use mean they’ll often decline coverage or mandate complete re-piping due to the high risk of major failure and subsequent water damage claims.
Polybutylene (PB): This plastic resin piping was widely used from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. Despite its initial popularity, polybutylene was found to degrade when exposed to chlorine and other common water disinfectants, leading to brittleness, cracking, and sudden, severe leaks. If your Florida home has polybutylene plumbing, securing standard home insurance quotes can be difficult. Most home insurance companies consider polybutylene a red flag and will almost always require complete replacement before offering coverage, or impose water damage limitations on the policy.
If you’ve purchased your home recently, you’ll most likely have a detailed report that specifies the type and condition of your plumbing. If not, a four-point inspection, often required by home insurance companies for older homes (typically those 20 years or older), will give you a clear idea of the plumbing materials used. If you haven’t had a recent inspection or are unsure about your plumbing, it’s a good idea to schedule an inspection with a licensed professional.
Find the best Florida home insurance quotes
There are a lot of factors home insurance companies need to consider when binding a policy, and plumbing pipe types are a key variable. At Home Insurance Florida, we may not be able to tell you what kind of pipes you have running through your home, but we can find you the best home insurance quotes available once you know what your plumbing is made of. Get in touch with the Home Insurance Florida team and find the best insurance quotes for your home.
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About Home Insurance Florida
At Home Insurance Florida, we specialize in helping Floridians protect their homes cost-effectively all year round. With the right insurance safeguarding you against unforeseen risks, we offer personalized advice and tailored coverage options. Contact Home Insurance Florida, and let our experienced agents find the best insurance quotes that Florida has to offer.
