re: Need advice on dealing with my homeowners insurance claim.

Ok? Intended to deny claims?

If an insurance company covers wear and tear on your pipes, then they cover wear and tear on your roof. and on your electrical system. and on your hvac.

If an insurance company covers wear and tear, then they are basically a warranty program that rebuilds everyone's homes every 30 years and charges more than a 2nd mortgage to do so.

Insurance is there to cover if something happens to your home (i.e. your kitchen after the water incident). Insurance is not there to cover if nothing happens to your home (i.e.your pipe is old and cracks/leaks). That's what homeownership and home maintenance is for.

Believe what you want to believe regarding why insurance companies exist. If they exist to deny claims, then buy as little as you can get away with.