Homeowners insurance experts...

[notoriousD_O_G]

Excuse my ignorance if this is a dumb question

I just happened to be outside working in the flower bed this afternoon while my wife was bathing the kids. I heard water running so I crawled up under the house and the train for their tub was unhooked from my sewer line and running under the house. I live in a very old house (1910s) in the delta and the house sinking/settling is just a part of it. However, the wall right next to the kids bathroom has sunk way more than any other part of the house. There is no telling how long it has been leaking so I am guessing that is why that part of my house is so sunken. Can that actually be claimed as damage from the leak? I dont want to file a claim with no chance of it being accepted. Thanks

 

[topbulldawg]

Why was the drain not attached to the sewer? It would depend on your exact policy, but based on your description, I wouldn't be optimistic.

 

[patdog]

File the claim. Worst they can do is deny it. And if they do, you might want to check with a good lawyer.

 

[notoriousD_O_G]

Why was the drain not attached to the sewer? It would depend on your exact policy, but based on your description, I wouldn't be optimistic.

It looked like it had broken off at the elbow. It was pretty dark and very muddy so I didnt get a great look at it

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

It is policy dependant, but foundations usually are not covered... However. Plumbing is... Including sewage leaks. We have a lot major foundation problems in TX and I know some people who have had repairs covered by insurance due to plumbing leaks.

An example, tub overflows on the 2nd floor and floods to the first, insurance fixes the tub and damages. On the first floor the policy should do the same thing, but the catch is they may argue that the foundation moved, thus causing the plumbing failure. So it's a chicken or egg sorta deal.

The solution. Hire an independent PE to conduct a level B foundation inspection $500 or less. He will create a detailed report on the cause of the damages and the appropriate solution. Don't rely on foundation contractor... Call the engineer first. It's your best shot at getting insurance to cover it from my experience.

 

[Dick Whaefer]

Not the exact same situation it sounds like you are in, but I got a crash course in slab leaks and homeowners claims last year. My advice is to find a real good plumber. Obviously one who can do good work but also one who knows how to talk to your ins company if you do end up filing a claim. I know for a fact the guy ended up using saved me a bunch of money and headaches just from a couple conversations with the adjuster. Nothing shady or anything just knew what words to avoid, most notably anything foundation related.

I would only file a claim if paying out of pocket is not an option at all.

 

[WrapItDog]

There is no telling how long it has been leaking

Definitely don't say that when talking to the insurance company.

Insurance covers sudden and accidental damage. Gradual leakage or long term leakage will get your claim denied. You say "There was a discharge of water from the plumbing system underneath the house in the area of the bathtub"

Do you have any water damage to the house?

 

[garddog]

Sometimes they pay, cancel your policy, and give you a black mark. Went through this on rental property two years ago. Farm Bureau. State Farm wouldn't insure because of the mark on my file.

The plumbing work can be done pretty cheap. The mold and mildew is what is a disaster on those old wood frame houses. You will have it and that is where the cost comes in. The foundation issue on those isn't bad either. Find an older bricklayer that knows that type repair. Jack the sunken portion and have them repair or replace the faulty column. The mortor from back then is totally different than today.

 

[GloryDawg]

I have been an license agent for 24 years. Just call your agent and talk to him before you file a claim. If it is just foundation issue I would not get my hopes up. Most home owners work the same. Now if you have water damage inside the house you might get help. Any ways sounds like your house is on blocks with the house being that old. fix the leak and let the ground dry. I bet you can get the house level for less then 2K. Right now the way things are you can probably get a good deal. Heck your deductible might be half that anyways. Your house is on blocks and it is not that big of a job to level. All they are going to do is jack the house up like a car until it is balance and put more blocks under it. I had a house on blocks done and I watched them do it. If you have a big enough jack you could do. You could end up having wall cracks that will have to be fix but chances are you already have them.

I want to add one more thing. Don't ever worry about filing a claim. That's why you are paying 1000.00's every year. Use it. If they drop you there is someone who will insure you or you can go into the state wind pool. Don't worry about all this black mark bull ****. If you are going to pay the premium, if you have a claim make the insurance company pay the claim.

 

[rcdawg08]

Excuse my ignorance if this is a dumb question

I just happened to be outside working in the flower bed this afternoon while my wife was bathing the kids. I heard water running so I crawled up under the house and the train for their tub was unhooked from my sewer line and running under the house. I live in a very old house (1910s) in the delta and the house sinking/settling is just a part of it. However, the wall right next to the kids bathroom has sunk way more than any other part of the house. There is no telling how long it has been leaking so I am guessing that is why that part of my house is so sunken. Can that actually be claimed as damage from the leak? I dont want to file a claim with no chance of it being accepted. Thanks

Must be sudden and accidental anything that occurs over time is considered maintenance related and normal wear and tear. If a water line burst and suddenly floods your home you got coverage. If a drain slowly leaks for weeks months or years not covered.

 

[dawgman.sixpack]

Your loss must be sudden and accidental. As the plumbing appears to be from normal wear and tear, the plumbing repair would not be covered. There must also be direct physical damage to covered property. Absent any direct physical damage to covered property there is no coverage for the resulting damage. Earth movement is specifically excluded. As the foundation appears to be a result of earth movement and the ground is also not covered property, unfortunately there does not appear to be any coverage. This evaluation is worth what you have paid for it. It is also based on the most liberal homeowners policy available in Mississippi.

 

[ezsoil]

Your loss must be sudden and accidental. As the plumbing appears to be from normal wear and tear, the plumbing repair would not be covered. There must also be direct physical damage to covered property. Absent any direct physical damage to covered property there is no coverage for the resulting damage. Earth movement is specifically excluded. As the foundation appears to be a result of earth movement and the ground is also not covered property, unfortunately there does not appear to be any coverage. This evaluation is worth what you have paid for it. It is also based on the most liberal homeowners policy available in Mississippi.

As a CIC and retired insurance company officer, this is about as good of an honest explanation as you will get.

 

[notoriousD_O_G]

Thanks everyone for your advice

 

[TNT.sixpack]

It’s not covered. Every standard H01 policy and above excludes damage caused by Soil movement. It’s the same reason they don’t cover damage resulting from Yazoo Clay contracting and expanding. Doesnt matter whether The soil movement was caused by water or not.

 

[dawgman.sixpack]

HO 1 policy is a named peril policy. Only 11 specific things are covered. HO 3 is all risk except those things specifically excluded. HO 1 is for lower value and sometimes older homes.

 

[TNT.sixpack]

HO 1 policy is a named peril policy. Only 11 specific things are covered. HO 3 is all risk except those things specifically excluded. HO 1 is for lower value and sometimes older homes.

Correct. And not a one of them covers this loss if it’s shown the house shifted due to soil whether water is involved or not. This loss will not being covered. And turn in a claim, and you could lose any claim free discountS. Don’t bother reporting this claim.