Your homeowners insurance can help cover the cost of foundation issues — including slab cracks and leaks — if the cause of the damage is something covered by your policy like a pipe burst or an explosion. While homeowners insurance will likely cover the cost of removing the slab and replacing it, it generally won’t pay to fix the broken pipes.
If your slab is damaged because of age, normal wear and tear, or something gradual like a plumbing leak or tree root pressure, homeowners insurance likely won’t cover the cost of repairs to your slab or plumbing.
What is a slab leak?
A slab leak refers to a leak in the plumbing beneath your home’s slab, which is the concrete foundation on which the rest of your house is built. In houses where the water lines are embedded within concrete slab, plumbing leaks often go undetected. This can lead to unusually high water bills, musty odors throughout your home, low water pressure, and foundation cracks to your floors and walls — to name a few.
Does homeowners insurance cover slab leaks?
Your homeowners insurance will help pay for slab replacement or repairs if the leak was caused by a covered peril. In other words, if your slab cracks due to a burst pipe, explosion, or some other covered disaster, the dwelling coverage portion of your policy would cover the cost of slab or water damage repairs.
When are slab leaks covered by homeowners insurance?
Here are some of the most common causes of slab cracks and leaks that are covered by homeowners insurance.
Burst pipes
Explosions
Fire
Fallen trees
Collapse due to the weight of snow, ice, rain, or sleet
Frozen plumbing (only if you maintained heat in the home)
Sudden cracking of a hot water heating system (like a water heater)
Vandalism
When are slab leaks not covered by homeowners insurance?
Some of the most common causes of slab cracks and leaks happen gradually, like the natural shifting of the ground. Unfortunately, natural settling and wear and tear are not covered by homeowners insurance.
Here are some causes of slab cracks and leaks that are typically not covered by homeowners insurance.
Natural settling, shrinking, bulging, expansion, and cracking of the foundation
Wear and tear, marring, deterioration
Tree root pressure
Sinkholes
Rodents, insects, and vermin
Faulty design or construction
Does homeowners insurance cover plumbing breaks under slab?
Though homeowners insurance covers slab leaks and water damage caused by burst pipes, it typically won’t cover the cost to fix the broken pipes. If your pipes are broken but there isn’t any actual damage to your slab, you’ll likely have to pay the cost of any repairs out of pocket.
How to tell if you have a slab leak
Here are a few signs your home has a slab leak:
Cracks in the slab
Higher water bills than usual
Damp spots on the floor or carpet
The smell of mold or mildew
Warm areas of the floor
Low water pressure
The sound of water running
If you notice any of these signs or you have another reason to believe you might have a slab leak, reach out to a licensed plumber to diagnose any problems.
How much does it cost to repair a slab leak?
Detecting a slab leak costs around $280, with an average range of $150 to $600. The national average cost to repair a slab leak is $2,300, according to 2024 cost data from Home Advisor. [1]
Keep in mind that you’ll be expected to pay your deductible if you file a claim, so if the damage to your slab is only slightly more than your policy deductible, you may want to pay for the damages out of pocket. Claims related to water damage and foundation issues tend to result in higher rates, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons prior to going ahead with the claim.
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover broken water pipes under slab?
No, homeowners insurance typically doesn’t pay for the broken pipes under your foundation. The only exception would be if the broken pipes were damaged by a covered peril, but it is far more common for pipes to be damaged by tree roots, earthquakes, and other causes that are not included in a standard homeowners policy.
Does homeowners insurance cover a cracked slab?
Sometimes. If the damage was caused by a covered peril your insurance will pay for the repair, minus your deductible.
Can pipes burst under slab?
Yes, pipes can burst under your home’s slab. When a pipe bursts you likely won’t notice it right away, which means your home could be damaged by the leaking water, so it is important to watch for signs of a burst pipe under your foundation.
