Burst pipes and home insurance: getting the paperwork right

After a burst pipe: what to photograph, what a plumber's report should include, who owns which pipe, and how Hunter Water's leak rebate works.

A plumber answers 24/7.

Key takeaways

Stop the water at the path tap on the meter frame, make the area safe, then photograph everything before anything is moved or thrown out.
Ask the plumber for a written report: where the failure was, what failed, the likely cause, photos, and what was repaired.
In Hunter Water's area every water pipe inside the property is the owner's, and the owner is responsible for damage caused by its failure.
A hidden leak repaired by a licensed plumber may qualify for Hunter Water's undetected leak rebate if you apply within 30 days of the bill's due date.