A burst pipe claim holds up when the file shows what failed, when, how much water escaped and what it damaged. Photograph and film before cleaning, keep the failed pipe section, get the plumber's written cause, keep moisture logs from drying, save every receipt, list damaged contents with values, and return the proof of loss on time, which IBC says is typically within 30 days.
- Photos taken before clean-up are the strongest evidence you will ever have of a sudden loss.
- Keep the failed section of pipe or fitting; it shows how the break happened.
- A plumber's written cause and a restorer's daily moisture log answer most adjuster questions before they are asked.
- IBC advises keeping damaged items unless they are dangerous or a health hazard, and keeping every clean-up receipt.
- Write down every call: the date, who you spoke to and what was agreed.
01 /What does an adjuster need to see after a burst pipe?
Evidence of four things: what failed, when it failed, where the water went, and what it damaged. Everything in a good claim file answers one of those. The adjuster also looks for signs that the loss was sudden rather than gradual and, in winter, that the home was heated or checked, because those are the usual grounds for disputes.
| Question | Best evidence |
|---|---|
| What failed? | The failed pipe section or fitting, close-up photos, the plumber's written cause |
| When did it fail? | Time-stamped photos and video, the time you called the plumber and insurer, a water meter or bill spike |
| Where did the water go? | Wide photos of every affected room and the floor below, moisture maps, ceiling stains |
| What was damaged? | Room-by-room photos, a contents list with values, material samples, receipts |
In winter, add a fifth: was the house heated or checked? Keep thermostat settings, a photo of the thermostat, and notes of who checked the home while you were away. The insurance coverage guide explains why freezing conditions matter.
02 /What should you photograph, and when?
Everything, before you clean anything, and then again at each stage. Photos should tell the story to someone who was never in the house.
- The break: close-ups of the split, pinhole or fitting, with a coin or tape measure for scale, and wider shots showing where it sits.
- The water: standing water on floors, water lines on walls, drips from ceilings, water in light fixtures.
- Each affected room: wide shots from the doorway, then each wall, then close-ups of damage.
- The floor below: ceilings and walls under the break, even if damage looks minor.
- Contents: each damaged item, with brand labels and serial plates where visible.
- The shut-off: the valve closed, and the meter reading if you can see it.
- Each stage: after extraction, after removal of drywall and flooring, and after drying, before rebuild.
Video is useful for the first walk-through, because it shows scale and flow in a way photos do not. Keep the original files; they carry the date and time. Claim vocabulary such as proof of loss, additional living expenses and escape of water is defined in the glossary.
03 /Why keep the failed pipe section?
Because it is the single best piece of evidence about how the break happened. A freeze split, a corroded pinhole, a manufacturing defect and a fitting that was never properly made all look different, and the difference can decide whether the loss is sudden, whether a third party is responsible, and whether the insurer can recover costs from someone else.
- Ask the plumber to cut the damaged section out cleanly and give it to you, labelled with the date and location.
- Keep failed fittings, supply hoses and valves, not only pipe.
- Store them in a bag in a dry place until the claim is closed.
- If a product defect is suspected, tell the insurer before anything is discarded or returned to a store.
04 /Which documents belong in the claim file?
Anything that shows what failed, what was done to limit damage and what it cost. Build the file as you go; reconstructing it weeks later is harder and less convincing.
| Document | Who provides it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Photos and video from the day | You | Show the sudden event and its extent |
| Plumber's invoice with written cause | Plumber | Names what failed and how |
| Leak detection report | Plumber or specialist | For hidden, slab or yard leaks |
| Moisture map and daily drying log | Restoration company | Proves drying was done and when it finished |
| Water category assessment | Restoration company | Explains why materials were removed |
| Receipts for emergency and clean-up costs | You and contractors | Recover what you paid to limit damage |
| Contents list with values | You | The basis of the contents part of the claim |
| Electrician's report, if equipment got wet | Electrician | Supports replacing electrical items |
| Additional living expense receipts | You | Hotel, meals and other extra costs if you had to leave |
| Call log | You | Dates, names and what was agreed |
IBC notes that additional living expenses cover the extra cost of living elsewhere when the home cannot be occupied after a covered loss, and advises keeping all receipts and invoices for them.
05 /How do you build a contents list?
Room by room, item by item, with a description, age, approximate replacement cost and a photo reference. The list becomes the contents part of your proof of loss, so accuracy matters more than speed.
- Start with the photos
Work through them room by room and write down each damaged item.
- Describe each item
Brand, model, size, colour and approximate age. A receipt or order history helps but is not always required.
- Estimate replacement cost
Use a current price for a comparable item; note where you found it.
- Mark what was discarded
And why: sewage contact, mould, or the item could not be dried.
- Keep the originals where you can
IBC advises keeping damaged items unless they are dangerous or a health hazard.
06 /What is the proof of loss and when is it due?
It is the formal statement of your claim: what was damaged or lost, and its value, which you sign. IBC notes that a proof of loss typically has to be completed and returned within 30 days. Ask the insurer to confirm your deadline in writing when you open the claim, and ask for an extension in writing if the loss is still being dried or assessed.
Sign only what you have checked. If figures are still unknown, say so and ask how to note estimates. A proof of loss is a sworn statement in many policies, so accuracy is more important than completeness on day one.
07 /What mistakes weaken a burst pipe claim?
Delay, missing evidence and loose descriptions. Each one gives an adjuster a reason to treat a sudden loss as a gradual or avoidable one. Timing is the big one: Health Canada ties a lower mould risk to drying a house within 48 hours, so a file showing drying started on day one is far stronger than one that starts on day four.
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning before photographing | Removes proof of the event and its extent | Photograph first, then clean |
| Leaving materials wet for days | Mould and rot read as gradual or unmitigated damage | Start extraction and drying the same day |
| Throwing out the failed pipe | Loses the evidence of how it broke | Keep and label it |
| Guessing when the leak started | A wrong timeline conflicts with the physical evidence | Say what you saw and when |
| No record of heat or checks in winter | Invites a freezing exclusion | Keep thermostat photos and a record of checks |
| Leaving a temporary patch in place for weeks | A second failure can look like neglect | Book the permanent repair promptly |
| Verbal agreements only | Hard to prove later | Confirm by email after each call |
08 /Can you choose your own contractors?
Generally yes. IBC notes that you can use a contractor or supplier of your choice for repairs, while the insurer estimates the cost and you are responsible for any difference. Some insurers offer a preferred contractor, which can speed things up; either way, get the scope in writing before work starts and keep every invoice.
Choosing between trades is covered in plumber or water damage restoration company?, and the ranges to sanity-check an estimate are in burst pipe repair cost. If you rent or own a condo, read tenants, landlords and condos before signing anything, because more than one policy may be involved.
FAQQuestions people ask
What photos do I need for a burst pipe insurance claim?
Close-ups of the break with something for scale, wide shots of every affected room and the floor below, water lines on walls, each damaged item, the closed shut-off valve, and photos at each stage of cleanup.
Should I keep the broken pipe for my insurance claim?
Yes. The failed section shows how the break happened. Ask the plumber to cut it out cleanly, label it and keep it dry until the claim is closed.
How long do I have to file a proof of loss?
IBC notes a proof of loss typically must be returned within 30 days. Ask your insurer to confirm your deadline in writing.
Can I throw out water-damaged items before the adjuster comes?
Photograph and list them first. IBC advises keeping damaged items unless they are dangerous or a health hazard; ask your adjuster before disposing of anything else.
Do I need receipts for the contents in my claim?
Receipts help but are not always essential. Photos, descriptions, ages and current replacement prices can support the list; ask your adjuster what they accept.