Gas Line Leaks: Unveiling Home Insurance Claims & Coverage 

About 60% of American homes use natural gas for heating, cooking, and other tasks.[1] If your home is one of them, performing routine maintenance and inspections of your gas lines and gas-powered appliances are critical. 

If something goes wrong, despite your best efforts, explosions from gas leaks are covered by most homeowners insurance policies.[2] 

Homeowners policies typically won’t cover damage caused by a lack of maintenance. If your adjuster discovers that the leak stemmed from something you did (or did not) do, the claims process could get complicated. It could even be denied. It’s well worth your effort to ensure you take necessary steps to prevent issues.

Gas Line Leaks & Homeowners Insurance 

While gas might be the same from home to home, leaks can be very different. This table of hypothetical scenarios can help you understand what types of issues are typically covered and which are not. 

	Covered	Not Covered
Explosion from a leak	X
Explosion from a leak due to a terrorist attack		X
Explosions caused by leaks from earthquakes		X (most of the time)
Explosions caused by leaks from DIY repairs		X

Let’s dig a little deeper into how gas line leaks are typically covered by homeowners insurance policies. 

When Is It Covered?

Almost all homeowners insurance policies cover one consequence of a gas leak. That consequence is an explosion. 

If your home fills with gas and an ignition source appears, the explosion can be strong enough to take your entire home to the ground. Most policies will cover this type of damage, especially if it seems like it was completely unexpected and not your fault in any way.[2]

When Isn’t It Covered?

Some types of gas leak explosions come with complicated claims that can turn into denials. Examples of these types of issues include the following:

• Terrorism. If an act of terrorism disrupts the space around your home and causes a leak, that’s not typically covered.[3] 
• Earthquake. If the adjuster determines that an earthquake caused your pipes to shift and leak, the damage wouldn’t be covered under some standard policy.[3] 
• Homeowner mistakes or negligence. If you tried to repair a leak yourself, or you installed an appliance without outside help, the insurance company could suggest that the leak is your fault.[4] Failing to properly maintain gas-powered appliances can also negate coverage.
• Vacancy. If a home is vacant for a period of time specified in the policy’s terms, damage (regardless of the cause) may not be covered.

What About Coverage Limits? 

Most insurance agents recommend an amount to cover your home’s structure. If you have a mortgage, your lender may also require certain coverage limits and deductibles. This amount is designed to help you recover from a serious incident, including an explosion from a gas leak. But know that these limits rarely cover everything.[5] 

If your home is in pieces on the ground, you will rarely get enough to rebuild the entire thing. Understanding your coverage before an event occurs is critical. 

How to Identify a Gas Leak 

Gas leaks are serious, and if you don’t take action, they can lead to explosions. Use the following chart to help you spot a leak before it causes serious problems:[6] 

What does it smell like?	Rotten eggs
What does it look like?	A white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in water, or blowing dust
What does it sound like?	Roaring, hissing, or whistling
What physical symptoms does it cause?	Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and nausea

What to Do During a Gas Leak 

Never underestimate how serious a gas leak can be. For example, one Florida home was described as “obliterated” after a blast attributed to a gas leak.[7] 

Your quick action when you identify a gas leak could save your home — and potentially your neighborhood.

If you suspect a gas leak, take the following steps:[6]

1. Ventilate the room. Open all of your windows and doors to let the gas out and fresh air in. 
2. Leave immediately. Don’t turn off appliances, grab valuables, or take any other time-consuming step. Leave your home as soon as you can. 
3. Notify first responders. Call 911 and tell the operator what has happened. Explain that you think there’s a gas leak in progress, and follow any instructions you’re given. 
4. Contact your utility company. Call the gas company and tell the operator what is happening. The operator could facilitate cutting off the gas and stopping the problem. 

Don’t enter your house again until the authorities say it’s safe to do so. You could be putting your life at risk. No belongings are worth that.

How to File a Gas Leak Claim 

If your home is damaged (or ruined) due to a gas leak explosion, a claim could help you repair and replace what has been lost. Read through your homeowners insurance policy carefully and ensure your damage is covered. If it is, get started right away.

Take the following steps to prepare for a gas leak claim:[8]

• Don’t enter the home immediately. If the explosion covered a large geographic area, your local authorities might tell you when you can go back. If it’s small, first responders on the scene might notify you instead. 
• Gather evidence. Take photos of everything that has been damaged. If the scene is large, you may need to use video damage instead. Get multiple angles to ensure the damage is clear.
• Check for more damage. Walk the perimeter of your home and look for more evidence of gas leaks. Use your eyes, nose, and ears to investigate. 

Notify your insurance company and file a claim. Prepare for an insurance adjuster to visit your home and inspect the damage firsthand. Know that these experts won’t take the word of the fire marshal without checking. In Charlotte, for example, fire experts said an explosion was caused by a gas leak, but the insurance company wanted to perform an independent investigation.[9] 

If your claim is approved, the adjuster may offer a settlement amount or cut you a check.  If you believe your claim has been wrongfully denied, look into your company’s appeals process or contact your state’s department of insurance. If all else fails, you may need to seek legal counsel.

If you’re not satisfied with the proposal, don’t cash the check. Doing so could be considered an acceptance of the offer.[10] Lisa Koosis, a former claims specialist, says, “If you think you should have received a higher settlement, contact your agent or a representative from the insurance company and express your desire to negotiate. These professionals can guide you through the process, and you might end up with a larger payout.”

How to Prevent Gas Leaks 

Insurance companies expect homeowners to maintain and protect their properties. Skipping these steps can mean rejected insurance claims and significant losses. 

The following steps can help you prevent some of the most common causes of gas leaks:

• Remove snow from pipes and air vents. California residents discovered this issue when several gas leaks happened after a major snowstorm. One homeowner said the issue was caused by snow blocking air vents on gas meters.[11] After a storm, keep the snow away from all exhaust pipes, vents, and meters. 
• Watch over construction. In Las Vegas, homeowners had a fire after a gas leak when their home was being remodeled.[12] If your home is being changed in any way, ensure that your contractor knows how to protect your gas lines and carries adequate insurance. 
• Don’t do things yourself. Experts say it’s critical to get gas appliances professionally installed and repaired, as fires and explosions from DIY processes can result in denied claims.[4] 

Remember that gas is dangerous, and always keep your eyes, ears, and nose open for a leak. You may not be able to prevent every problem, but you could keep it from ruining everything you love. 

Understanding Gas Claims 

Homeowners have plenty of responsibilities when gas lines are involved. Know what a gas leak looks, feels, and smells like. Take quick action when it appears. Your fast response can be the difference between losing everything due to gas or losing nothing. 

Examine your homeowners insurance policy carefully, and know what is and is not covered. Ensure that your limits aren’t so restrictive that you can’t recover from something tragic (like an explosion). If your policy is too restrictive, talk with your agent about an upgrade.