Burst Pipes: Can You File an Insurance Claim in Fort Lauderdale?

Whether you’re living in an apartment building, a townhouse, or a detached home, a burst pipe is a fairly common issue for homeowners in Florida. This issue typically leads to flooding, and the damage can be considerable. What should you do next? Does your property insurance policy cover this type of damage? These are questions you might want to raise with an experienced property insurance lawyer in Fort Lauderdale.

Burst Pipes Cause Major Damage at Fort Lauderdale Apartment Building 

In May of 2025, Local10 News reported a major incident at a Fort Lauderdale apartment building. A pipe in the building burst, causing significant flooding throughout. Since the burst pipe is located on the 15th floor, the resulting water seeped down multiple stories, finding its way into elevator shafts, staircases, and dwellings. The flooding was so intense that it caused a ceiling to completely collapse.

Nine floors suffered significant water damage, and many renters said that their apartments had been utterly destroyed. In the absence of this aftermath, property managers told the tenants to submit their claims with their renters’ insurance. This is an extreme case, but it illustrates just how destructive burst pipes can be.

Are Burst Pipes Covered Under Standard Homeowners’ Insurance Policies? 

A typical property insurance policy should cover damage caused by burst pipes. Although many assume that they must get additional flood insurance for this type of damage, additional coverage is only required for floods caused by external threats like hurricanes. If the flood originates from inside the building, then it is probably covered.

That said, it is not uncommon to experience significant pushback from insurance companies in this situation. After filing your claim, you might find out that the company has denied your claim for reasons you don’t really understand. In this situation, you might want to speak to a lawyer about your next steps.

It’s also worth noting that although your insurance policy might cover losses associated with flooding caused by a burst pipe, it might not cover the repair of the pipe itself. Standard policies may vary depending on each insurance company and your unique circumstances. A lawyer can help you go over the fine print and determine where you stand.

Why Might a Burst Pipe Claim Be Denied by My Insurer? 

Your insurer might try to argue that the flooding originated from a source outside of your building. They might also try to claim that you failed to properly maintain your home, and that this failure led directly to the burst pipe. This is one of the most important reasons to address leaks and other signs of disrepair as soon as possible.

 Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Property Insurance Lawyers Today

At Fuxa & Tyler, our legal team is made up of a diverse combination of attorneys who are well-positioned to protect the legal rights and financial interests of policyholders. If your property insurance claim was denied, we can help. For a free consultation, please call us today at (954) 990-5251. With an office in Sunrise, we represent policyholders in Broward County and throughout the state of Florida.

Sources:

 local10.com/news/local/2025/05/20/flood-of-trouble-burst-pipe-leads-to-major-damage-at-las-olas-apartment-building/

fox4now.com/fort-myers-beach/the-chairs-are-flying-pipe-burst-shoots-water-in-the-air-on-fort-myers-beach