# NYC Water Main Break: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> NYC's Water Damage Claim Form covers main-break flooding, but you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days regardless of outcome.

**Who pays:** depends

NYC has a dedicated Water Damage Claim Form for water-main-break flooding; the Comptroller investigates City negligence, but the Notice of Claim must still be filed within 90 days regardless of outcome.

**Boundary:** NYC has a dedicated Water Damage Claim Form for water-main-break flooding; the Comptroller investigates whether the City was negligent, and a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the incident regardless of the outcome.

**Exceptions:** Filing after 90 days bars the claim even if the City was clearly at fault; The Comptroller may still deny the claim if no negligence is found

## Sources
- [Property Damage Claim FAQs](https://comptroller.nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/claims/faqs/property-damage-claim-faqs/) — "Please use the Water Damage Claim Form if your claim involves a sewer back up or water main break." (accessed 2026-09-13)
- [Property Damage Claim FAQs](https://comptroller.nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/claims/faqs/property-damage-claim-faqs/) — "Notices of claim must be filed within 90 days of the date of incident." (accessed 2026-09-13)

_Last verified 2026-09-26. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/nyc-water-main-break-who-pays/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._