Does Home Insurance Cover Poly B Pipes?

Home insurance rarely covers the cost to replace Poly B pipes. In Vancouver, some BC insurers may cover sudden water damage from a Poly B leak but coverage is often restricted by exclusions, higher deductibles or a requirement to replace the plumbing. Coverage depends on the insurer and policy wording.

Home insurance generally does not pay to replace Poly B piping because replacement is treated as maintenance or an upgrade. Policies commonly exclude damage caused by wear and tear, corrosion, deterioration, repeated leakage or defective materials.

A sudden pipe failure may be covered if the policy includes water escape coverage and does not exclude Poly B damage. For example, BCAA’s comprehensive home policy applies a $5,000 plumbing deductible to insured water damage caused by water escape from polybutylene, galvanized or cast iron plumbing systems and related fittings. A higher deductible shown on the policy applies instead.

Before buying or renewing a policy, ask your insurer or broker:

• Does the policy cover sudden water damage from Poly B pipe failure?
• Does the policy exclude Poly B pipes or Poly B fittings?
• What plumbing or water damage deductible applies?
• Does the insurer require an inspection?
• Does the insurer require full repiping with PEX or copper?
• Is there a deadline to complete the replacement?
  
  

A Vancouver plumber can identify accessible Poly B pipe and document its visible condition. An insurer or licensed insurance broker determines whether coverage is available and what the policy covers.

See How Do I Know If My Home Has Poly-B Pipes? to identify Poly B. See Should Poly-B Pipes Be Replaced? to understand when a repipe may be appropriate.