Is water damage from a broken pipe covered under a standard homeowners policy?

Standard homeowners policies cover water damage from sudden and accidental discharge of water from plumbing, heating, air conditioning, or appliances — for example, a burst pipe, a washing machine hose that fails, or a water heater that bursts. These are named perils. What is generally NOT covered: (1) Flood — natural surface water (covered only by separate flood insurance); (2) Continuous or repeated seepage — slow leaks over time that the homeowner should have noticed and addressed; (3) Sewer or drain backup unless an endorsement is added (common endorsement, often at modest premium); (4) Sump pump failure (typically requires endorsement); (5) Damage from water that enters through the roof unless wind or hail first damaged the roof. Understanding the distinction between sudden/accidental vs. gradual is important for both producers and policyholders.