Hot tub motor caught on fire, hot tub completely ruined.

[EstimateMe]

Long time lurker, figured I'd join up to ask this question. I see lots of people ask questions about stuff like this on here, so here goes nothing...

So, I was out of town yesterday, and when I got back, my neighbor came over to tell me that while I was gone, the hot tub on our back patio caught on fire. He said at first they just noticed an awful smell, and when they came over didn't see any flames. The lifted up the door covering the motor and pump, and flames were shooting out. They tried putting the fire out with a fire extinguisher, but they had to pull the power to the hot tub from the breaker on the back of the house in order to get the motor to shut off long enough to put the fire out. They called the fire department to come out on a non-emergency call to file a report and make sure the 220v line was dead.

The hot tub has been sitting there plugged up since we moved in, I've NEVER heard the motor turn on. The only thing we can think of is that it just shorted out and started running itself into the ground.

The hot tub is completely ruined. Here's the deal. We bought the house in June, and the hot tub was sold as is with the house. It is documented on our survey and on the MLS listing for the house. The hot tub needed a new cover, and it needed a new filter and new fittings, but the shell was in good condition and we had planned on either giving it away, or fixing it up to use it ourselves.

So, can I file a claim through the homeowner's insurance? In a perfect world, after our $500 deductible, we would see enough money to have the ruined hot tub removed, then we would get a check to buy a basic entry level hot tub since we had planned on fixing up the one we had to a working condition. I have plenty of pictures of the hot tub before the fire that show a hot tub that needs TLC, albeit a hot tub that at least was going to be usable.

Also, if we file this claim (first one), do you think our monthly premiums would increase?

Thanks.

P.S. My homeowner's insurance policy covers "other property" on our lot up to $14k.

 

[Harvey]

The long answer is, your insurer assumes they will have to pay out on a certain amount or losses, and they hope those losses will be less than they received from all policy holders. If the loss was not due to your own negligence, your claim shouldn't will be a reason to raise your premiums.

Your insurance agent is the one who can tell you if the insurance company actually follows that logic. If that's not the case, find another insurer.

The question you have to ask yourself is, why would you bother to buy the insurance if you don't intend to use it?

 

[EstimateMe]

Originally posted by: Harvey
The long answer is, your insurer assumes they will have to pay out on a certain amount or losses, and they hope those losses will be less than they received from all policy holders. If the loss was not due to your own negligence, your claim shouldn't will be a reason to raise your premiums.

Your insurance agent is the one who can tell you if the insurance company actually follows that logic. If that's not the case, find another insurer.

The question you have to ask yourself is, why would you bother to buy the insurance if you don't intend to use it?

I didn't know if homeowners insurance premiums went up if anything was claimed. I see the logic of why they shouldn't now. Kind of like if you cause an auto wreck, your premiums would go up, but if you were the victim, they wouldn't go up.

I didn't even think about filing this as a claim until my neighbor suggested it. The reason why I hadn't thought of it was because it wasn't in the best shape. I didn't want it to seem like I was out for a $10k Cadillac hot tub, I just was wondering if State Farm might agree to pay to have it removed and replaced with a new basic unit.

Also, since I was thinking about giving it away, am I ethically bound to tell them that I had considered that? And if they wrote a check to cover the loss of the hot tub, would I be bound (ethically or legally) to replace it with another hot tub, or could I spend the money on a fence? Just wondering if once this piece of property was lost and paid for if I could use the money on something else.

So, I guess Monday I'll have to give the agent a call or visit, then they might set up an adjuster to come out to look at it?

 

[everman]

Probably, just call them. They can't raise your rates just for asking, and I doubt they would if you filed a claim.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Harvey
The long answer is, your insurer assumes they will have to pay out on a certain amount or losses, and they hope those losses will be less than they received from all policy holders. If the loss was not due to your own negligence, your claim shouldn't will be a reason to raise your premiums.

Your insurance agent is the one who can tell you if the insurance company actually follows that logic. If that's not the case, find another insurer.

The question you have to ask yourself is, why would you bother to buy the insurance if you don't intend to use it?

Actually, it doesn't matter in the slightest if it was not your fault. Insurance companies will raise your rates after x number of losses or x dollars in claims. Every single insurance company will work this way. Also note, when you call your insurance company just to find out if it is worth filing a claim, they MAY flag it as a claim even if you don't file one (thus adding to your total).

 

[BoomerD]

The only thing I see that MIGHT hurt your claim, is if the previous owner didn't have the wiring done legally and inspected. Depending on your state laws, it may not be something a homeowner can do on his/her own. (certainly 220 is not something the average homeowner SHOULD be messin with!)
If it was properly installed, then a claim for this shouldn't hurt you much...MOST home (fire) insurance companies give you a claim or 2 before they hammer you with higher rates...
If n ot, just consider yourself lucky you have a good neighbor who was willing to get involved, and your house didn't burn down.

 

[Harvey]

You have a contractual agreement with your insurer, and you're about to find out how honorable they are in dealing with their clients. If they're a good company, they'll live up to their end of the deal and pay you according to the terms of your contract with them. If they try to weasel out of the their written obligations, or the give you any hassle, you'll know you need to find a better company for your future insurance needs.

You already know you won't get the full cost of a new unit so you'll have to decide whether you want to invest in a new one or just remove the ruined old unit.

In any case, your insurance agent will have more answers than anyone on these forums could give you.

Good luck.

 

[dmcowen674]

It's sad the OP even has to ask this question, he had a fire for God's sake.

Shows you the sham and scam of Corporate America we are allowing.

Fix the Insurance Industry or banish it altogether.

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
It's sad the OP even has to ask this question, he had a fire for God's sake.

Shows you the sham and scam of Corporate America we are allowing.

Fix the Insurance Industry or banish it altogether.

Hear, hear!!!

 

[doze]

Originally posted by: EstimateMe

Originally posted by: Harvey
The long answer is, your insurer assumes they will have to pay out on a certain amount or losses, and they hope those losses will be less than they received from all policy holders. If the loss was not due to your own negligence, your claim shouldn't will be a reason to raise your premiums.

Your insurance agent is the one who can tell you if the insurance company actually follows that logic. If that's not the case, find another insurer.

The question you have to ask yourself is, why would you bother to buy the insurance if you don't intend to use it?

I didn't know if homeowners insurance premiums went up if anything was claimed. I see the logic of why they shouldn't now. Kind of like if you cause an auto wreck, your premiums would go up, but if you were the victim, they wouldn't go up.

I didn't even think about filing this as a claim until my neighbor suggested it. The reason why I hadn't thought of it was because it wasn't in the best shape. I didn't want it to seem like I was out for a $10k Cadillac hot tub, I just was wondering if State Farm might agree to pay to have it removed and replaced with a new basic unit.

Also, since I was thinking about giving it away, am I ethically bound to tell them that I had considered that? And if they wrote a check to cover the loss of the hot tub, would I be bound (ethically or legally) to replace it with another hot tub, or could I spend the money on a fence? Just wondering if once this piece of property was lost and paid for if I could use the money on something else.

So, I guess Monday I'll have to give the agent a call or visit, then they might set up an adjuster to come out to look at it?

It doesn't matter what you were planning to do with the hot tob, it is yours so you can do what you want. Unless your insurance only covers replacement of the defective item then you can use the money on whatever you want.

Make sure you have a copy of the fire dept. report in case they try to screw around with you.

 

[T9D]

This is the whole reason we pay insurance. File a claim and get it taken care of.

 

[bctbct]

wake up people, sorry to say but home owners has come tot he point where filing a claim is like playing russian roulette.

right wrong or otherwise the only good time to file a claim is when you have to. trying to recover enough money to have the hot tub hauled off does not justify the chance that you would be cancelled or premiums increasing.

and all those thinking you should just call their agent and see what they think, you may as well file a claim. any damage goes on the record and will count against you whether the insurance companies pay out or not.

if you want a new hot tub and have actual replacement cost by all means file a claim, but know this, they will not pay replacement cost unless you buy a new hot tub. and even if you go this route expect the insurance comapny to screw you on this deal somehow.

water damage claims should be repaired out of pocket when ever possible, there are homes that cant be insured because of a pipe break, mold lawsuits are huge losses for the insurance industry and they will reject you.

IMO, high deductibles, lower premiums, less hassles.