If you live in an urban or a suburban environment in Broward County, Florida, your home is most likely connected to the municipal water supply. If this applies to you, there are likely many pipes, commonly known as ‘water mains’, that are running underground, throughout your neighborhood.

Unfortunately, whether due to bad weather or neglect, these municipal pipes sometimes fail. If a water main breaks, and quick action is not taken by the authorities, it could potentially cause considerable damage to your property.

Unfortunately, victims of water main breaks are often left in a very difficult position. Here, our top-rated Fort Lauderdale property insurance lawyers highlight some of the most important things that you need to know about water main bursts.

You Should Review Your Homeowners’ Insurance Policy 

Everyone’s homeowners’ insurance policy is different. In order to know what types of damage you are protected from, you will need to review your specific coverage. It is worth noting that as a general matter, most Florida homeowners’ insurance policies cover damage that was caused by a pipe bursting inside of the home. However, the vast majority of standard homeowners’ insurance policies attempt to exclude damage related to flooding. Your insurance company may try to argue that you are not covered in the event that a water main breaks. In many cases, that will prove to be true. Most insurance policies exclude that type of coverage unless the homeowner has obtained a special rider for water main burst protection. Of course, your insurance company does not get the final word on this issue. If you have any questions or concerns about your coverage, you should speak to a qualified Florida property insurance lawyer who can review the specific language of your policy. 

Can a Third Party Be Held Responsible for a Water Main Burst? 

In some cases, you may be able to hold a third party responsible for your property damage. Ultimately, your ability to do so will depend entirely on the specific facts of the case at hand. Sadly, government entities often have legal immunity, and thus, can frequently escape any liability for a water main break, even if their neglect caused the problem. However, if the water main burst happened because of the negligence of a private party, you may have a path to obtain compensation. The bottom line: You need to explore all of your available options. Be ready to speak to an attorney who can conduct a comprehensive investigation of the incident. 

Was Your Property Insurance Claim Denied? 

Let us help. At Geyer Fuxa Tyler, our top-rated Florida property insurance dispute lawyers can help. We have extensive experience handling complex water damage claims, including claims related to water main breaks. We can review your case and help you assess all of your available legal options. To get a free, no obligation case evaluation, please do not hesitate to contact our Sunrise office today at (954) 990-5251. We look forward to working with you.