Shouldn’t Our Home Insurance Cover Water Damage Resulting From Pipes That Burst Or Crack?
December 18th, 2009 - ByPosted in Home Insurance
Our insurance company claims we have damage to the roof or garage. What we had was an interior gutter pipe that cracked in the wall on the 1st floor of a 3 story home. They seem to be redlining us.
5 Responses to “Shouldn’t Our Home Insurance Cover Water Damage Resulting From Pipes That Burst Or Crack?”
December 18th, 2009 at 8:01 am
What, they don’t know if the damage is to the roof, or to the garage??
Redlining means, they refuse to write insurance policies in a particular neighborhood. So if you have a policy, they aren’t redlining you.
What is covered, depends on the kind of policy you have. On the standard HO3, damage to the pipe itself is not covered. Damage to the walls of the house to get to the pipe, is covered.
Water damage that has been going on for a long time – evidenced by lots of wood rot, and you can tell by looking at the drywall/plaster – sometimes is excluded. You can’t neglect maintaining your house and then expect the insurance company to pay for it.
December 18th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
You have a rain water gutter pipe inside the wall? I never heard of that one before. Usually water damage is not covered if there is a “sweepage and leakage” issue or a maintenance issue.
You need to get a letter from the insurance company stating why they are denying your claim. More info is needed to see if what they are doing is correct. You might also contact the Department of Insurance in your state for help. A link is below. Just click on your state.
If you have a claim that is covered under your policy they should cover you. Your claim might be something that is not covered under your policy. But more details are needed to figure that out. So, please post more details or contact the department of insurance in your state for help.
December 18th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
If you said anything about “flood” when you reported it, then it is likely they think it was from an outside source. Flood in Insurance speak means water damage from outside the home. Cracks in pipes etc. from inside the home should be covered (unless you have some really weird plan).
Are you claiming damage to the roof? I don’t understand why they are talking about that …
Did you take pictures of the pipe? Have witnesses? If you look at your contract and it really is covered, threaten to take them to court and try to find a lawyer friend.
December 18th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Water damaged is mainly caused by weather abuses. So, it really depends on your contract if this is included in its clauses. I advise you to read your contract well and see if you can run after them because of these damages.
Good luck!
December 19th, 2009 at 1:51 am
the answer is clearly stated in your contract…read it…
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