Leaking plumbing and home insurance

[db]

My parent's house has water damage from a leaking pipe. Not sure if it "just happened" or as a result of the cement slab heaving from previous rains in SoCal. Nevertheless, Dad is convinced that home insurance will *not* pay b/c house is over 30 years old.

I know insurance adjusters never want to pay, or pay as little as possible.
Has anybody had any experience with this kind of thing?

(pipes are copper)

 

[imported_Phil]

What did they say when you asked them?

 

[dartworth]

well this a perfect example of why people have homeowners insurance...

My house house is 75 years old, should I drop my insurance...?😕

I know insurance adjusters never want to pay, or pay as little as possible.

Why would you think that?

 

[iamwiz82]

My ins. expert said perhaps. If it's sudden and accidental/act of god it'll be covered. But if it exposes poor workmanship/quality you probably won't win.

 

[CrimsonChaos]

Homeowner's insurance generally won't pay for maintenance costs. Unless you can prove it "just happened" due to some extraneous circumstance not related to wear and tear, they won't pay for it.

 

[JEDI]

how much does it cost to repair?

homeowners ins should be used to cover major thing (ie: >$5k). thats why you should have tghe deductible at $1k.

multiple small nickel and dime stuff will get your policy canceled.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: dartworth

I know insurance adjusters never want to pay, or pay as little as possible.

Why would you think that?

Because it is true.

1 state is already suing ALL the major insurance carriers after the hurricane. I am also in the middle of a fight after my motorcycle accidnet and THEY have drug it out almost 2 1/2 years know doing the "well I don;t have that page, send it again..." mind you I have sent it twice now. etc...

Insurance companys are getting worse everyday. They are a big the reason medical cost have gone up. They are the reason people have to go to court over little things as they don;t want to do the right thing, etc...

 

[jadinolf]

I have State Farm. They will pay for damage done by the water but they won't pay to fix the plumbing. And... chances are your next premium will be higher.

edit: if you have a deductible, figure that in.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

if it's less than a couple of grand, you;d be better to pay it out of pocket, but chances are, they would consider it normal maintenance and deny it.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
if it's less than a couple of grand, you;d be better to pay it out of pocket, but chances are, they would consider it normal maintenance and deny it.

True. I get a discount on my homeowners insurance because I have never had a claim (28 years). If I file a claim, good-bye discount.