Avoiding frozen pipes in cold temps

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - In bitter temps, know your insurance coverage

Frozen pipes are an issue that, all too often, people think about when it's too late, and if you're not careful, your insurance may not cover the damage.

With temperatures dipping into the single digits, State Farm Insurance Agent Andy Oleson is hoping he doesn't get another call about frozen pipes.

"Last year we had pipes burst and it was a $30,000 claim," said Oleson.

Fortunately that customer was covered with home insurance, but it isn't always the case. Real devastation isn't a flooded house, it's realizing your insurance won't cover the damage.

"A lot of times we'll find customers don't really know what's in their policy." said Oleson.

If you're headed out of town and turn off your heat, will your insurance cover a burst pipe? If you don't know, you need to ask.

"It helps for them to come in and sit down and do a review with their agent and make sure they know what's covered and what's not covered," said Oleson.

It only takes a one-eighth inch crack in a pipe to spew out 250 gallons of water a day, enough to nearly destroy your house. So, make sure to get the best insurance you can afford.

"Don't skimp. It's worth it to make sure that you have a good understanding of what’s covered and what's not and how much coverage that you need," said Oleson.

Here are some precautions you can take so you never even have to deal with insurance:

If you're heading out of town, or have a house that's vacant, drain all the water from your pipes.

Insulate your pipes, especially the ones nearest to the outside.

Keep the heat on. It doesn't have be on full blast, but keep it around 60 degrees.

Open the cupboards. That's where the pipes are and they need to be exposed to the warmer air