I was cleaning my ring at the sink. It slipped and went down the drain. I panicked and ran the water. It’s gone deep into the pipes. I hired a plumber who had to rip open the wall and cut the pipes to find it. The plumbing bill was $2,000. The ring was recovered intact. Does insurance pay the plumber?
Key Takeaways
- Property Coverage vs. Expense: Insurance covers the loss of the ring. If the ring is recovered, there is no loss of the item.
- “Reasonable Expenses” Clause: Some policies cover “expenses incurred to protect property from further damage” or to recover covered property. This is your angle.
- The Math: If the ring is worth $10,000, paying a plumber $2,000 to save it is a good deal for the insurer. They should cover it to avoid the total loss payout.
- Homeowners Policy (Dwelling): The hole in the wall/pipe repair might be covered under your Home coverage (Dwelling), not the Jewelry rider, if you frame it as “Accidental damage to plumbing.”
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “No Direct Physical Loss.”
The adjuster might say: “The ring isn’t damaged. We don’t cover plumbing bills.”
You have to argue: “This was a mitigation expense to prevent a $10,000 Total Loss claim.”
Smart adjusters will approve the plumber because it saves them $8,000.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Recovery Costs)
I asked adjusters about the “Plumber Bill.”
Jewelers Mutual
- The Stance: They are reasonable. If the ring is lost, they pay $10k. If you spend $2k to find it, they usually reimburse that as “Loss Mitigation.”
Homeowners (State Farm)
- The Stance: Tearing out a wall to find a ring? This is tricky. They might deny the plumbing bill under “Access” exclusions unless there was water damage.
- The Better Claim: Claim the ring as “Lost down drain.” Let them decide if they want to pay a plumber to find it or just pay you for the ring.
[IMAGE: Photo of a cut PVC drain pipe with a diamond ring sitting in the sludge trap]
Comparison Table
| Scenario | Ring Not Found | Ring Found (Plumber hired) |
| Claim Type | Mysterious Disappearance | Mitigation Expense |
| Payout | Full Value ($10k) | Plumber Cost ($2k) |
| Outcome | You get new ring | You keep original ring |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Stop Water: Don’t flush. Don’t run sinks. The ring is in the P-Trap or the main line.
- Check P-Trap: DIY first. Put a bucket under the sink. Unscrew the J-bend. It’s usually there.
- Call Insurer Before Plumber: “My ring is in the pipes. I can hire a plumber for $2,000 or file a claim for $10,000. What do you prefer?” Get approval.
- Save the Receipt: Invoice must say “Retrieval of valuable property.”
FAQ
What if the ring is damaged in the pipe?
Insurance covers the repair + the retrieval.
Is this a “Water Damage” claim?
No. It is a property retrieval claim.
What if I dropped it in a public toilet?
…It’s gone. File a “Lost” claim. Do not hire a plumber for a public sewer.