Frozen pipes and homeowners insurance in Houston

Houston isn’t known for hard freezes, and that’s exactly why they catch so many of us off guard. Our homes are built for heat, so pipes often run through attics, exterior walls and garages with little insulation. When a cold snap hits, a split pipe can turn into soaked drywall, ruined floors and a long repair job. Here’s how frozen pipes and homeowners insurance usually work in Houston, and what to do before the next freeze.

Why freezes hit Texas homes so hard

Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 is the reminder most Texans still carry. According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) (opens in a new tab), the storm caused more than $8 billion in insured losses, Texans filed more than 450,000 claims, and a lot of that damage came from water from broken pipes.

TDI also points to the attic as the number one place pipes froze that winter. That makes sense for Houston-area homes, where plumbing is often routed overhead and outside walls aren’t built with long freezes in mind.

Does homeowners insurance cover frozen pipes?

Often, yes, with some important conditions. Most homeowners and renters policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, and TDI lists frozen pipes and broken appliance hoses as common examples. A few points are worth knowing before you ever need to file a claim:

• Reasonable care matters. Many policies cover freeze damage only if you took reasonable steps to keep the heat on, or shut off the water and drained the pipes. TDI notes that home and renters policies might not pay for frozen-pipe damage if you didn’t take steps to protect your pipes.
• Gradual leaks are different. Damage from slow leaks or seepage over time is usually not covered, and that can include mold that grows from a long-running leak.
• Flood insurance is a separate thing. Flood policies don’t pay for burst-pipe damage, and home policies don’t pay for flooding from rising water. Many Houston homeowners need both kinds of protection for different reasons.
• Vacant homes need extra attention. If a house sits empty, such as a rental between tenants or a home you’re selling, check your policy’s vacancy language before a freeze. Shutting off and draining the water is often the safest move.
• Renters need their own policy. If you rent, the owner’s policy generally won’t cover your furniture, electronics or clothes. A renters policy is what protects your things.

Every policy is written differently, so the details of your own coverage, deductible and any limits are what count. If you’re not sure how yours reads, we’re glad to walk through it with you.

A freeze-prep checklist for the days before

These steps come from TDI’s winter storm tips (opens in a new tab) and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) (opens in a new tab). Most take less than an afternoon.

• Insulate exposed pipes. Start with the attic, then the garage, crawl spaces and any pipes along outside walls. Foam pipe insulation from a home improvement store is a do-it-yourself job.
• Handle the outdoor faucets. Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor spigots. If you don’t have a faucet cover, TDI suggests wrapping the faucet with a towel and tape. Don’t drip outdoor faucets.
• Drain and shut off the sprinkler system. Irrigation lines and backflow valves are easy to forget and expensive to replace.
• Protect the garage washer. If your clothes washer sits in an unheated garage, turn off its water supply before the freeze.
• Find your main water shutoff now. In many Houston homes it’s in a box in the ground near the street. Make sure you can open it and have the right tool on hand, because you don’t want to be searching for it with water running.
• Seal drafts. IBHS recommends caulking gaps on the outside of the house and weatherstripping doors and windows, since cold air leaking onto a pipe can freeze it even in a warm house.
• Take a quick home inventory. A walk-through video of your rooms and belongings, saved to the cloud, makes any claim easier to document.

What to do while it’s below freezing

• Keep the heat on. IBHS advises setting the thermostat to at least 55°F, even when no one is home.
• Open the cabinet doors under sinks, especially on outside walls, so warm air reaches the pipes.
• Drip or run your indoor faucets, hot and cold, before bed. Follow any local water-use instructions, since cities sometimes ask residents to limit use during a freeze.
• Leaving town? TDI suggests turning off the water at the main shutoff and leaving the heat on.

If a pipe bursts anyway

1. Shut off the water at the main valve right away.
2. Move valuables off the floor and out of the wet area.
3. Take photos and video of the damage before you clean up or repair anything.
4. Make temporary repairs to stop further damage, and keep your receipts. TDI advises holding off on permanent repairs until you’ve talked with your insurance company.
5. Report the claim promptly and call us so we can help you through it.

TDI’s homeowners claims FAQ (opens in a new tab) answers many common questions, and its Help Line is 800-252-3439.

A good time to look at your policy

The weeks before winter are a smart time to read the water damage section of your homeowners, renters or landlord policy. Check your deductible, any water damage limits, and what your policy expects from you if the home is vacant. If something doesn’t look right, or you’d like a second set of eyes, TexPro Insurance is an independent agency in Houston that compares options from multiple insurance companies for Texas homeowners, renters and landlords.

This article is general information, not coverage advice. Coverage depends on your policy, and the actual policy language controls. All coverage is subject to underwriting approval. Ask a licensed agent about your situation. TexPro Insurance is licensed in Texas only.

Sources: Texas Department of Insurance; Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. Last reviewed Oct 29, 2026.