If an unoccupied dwelling has maintained heat, is damage from frozen plumbing covered under an HO-3 policy?

Under an HO-3 policy, which is a type of homeowners insurance policy, coverage for damage caused by frozen plumbing typically includes situations where the home has maintained heat. In this context, if the dwelling has been kept heated to a sufficient temperature, it significantly reduces the likelihood of the plumbing freezing. Therefore, if damage occurs from frozen pipes despite the heating, it would generally be covered by the HO-3 policy.

Maintaining heat in an unoccupied dwelling demonstrates that the homeowner is taking necessary precautions to prevent such damage. This aligns with the coverage provisions of the HO-3 policy, which often covers sudden and accidental damage from plumbing issues.

Conversely, if there had been a failure to maintain heat, the policy may not cover resulting damages, as insurance policies often have stipulations requiring property owners to take reasonable steps to protect their homes from such risks. In this situation, maintaining heat serves as a safeguard against freezing, thus supporting the case for coverage.