by RebeccaPratt » Tue Jan 12, 2010 05:14 am
Debating whether to file an insurance claim with State Farm, as my policy has the usual exclusion with regard to not covering recurring or continuous water seepage blah blah blah.
Had a leak in a wall which started about 2 1/2 years ago and did slight water damage to ceiling and wall. Have repeatedly called a plumber-- each time there was any hint of leak (now on plumber #6). Each time plumber said it was fixed, but obviously it wasn't, since part of the ceiling collapsed several nights ago, damaging newly refinished floor, furniture, etc. (Was worse than the usual collapse of plaster, since it's an 1887 house, and the 'plaster' had the consistency and weight of cement.)
From looking at the lathe boards now visible in the ceiling it's obvious to even the most uninitiated old-house novice (me) that this leak has been going on for a long time. However, because it was hidden, I had no way of knowing that it was recurring-- I had to take the word of an expert (the plumber) that it was fixed, especially since I saw no evidence to the contrary. (I have receipts from each plumber.)
Furthermore, I even regrouted/reset tile in my shower to make sure there was nothing leaking, which meant showering for several weeks with a garden hose last summer.
So-- do I pretend that I belive the leak is 'sudden,' which strains credibility-- or do I chronicle the fact that I did everything a reasonable, prudent person would do to solve the problem-- and that I had no way of knowing the problem was continuing?
Had a leak in a wall which started about 2 1/2 years ago and did slight water damage to ceiling and wall. Have repeatedly called a plumber-- each time there was any hint of leak (now on plumber #6). Each time plumber said it was fixed, but obviously it wasn't, since part of the ceiling collapsed several nights ago, damaging newly refinished floor, furniture, etc. (Was worse than the usual collapse of plaster, since it's an 1887 house, and the 'plaster' had the consistency and weight of cement.)
From looking at the lathe boards now visible in the ceiling it's obvious to even the most uninitiated old-house novice (me) that this leak has been going on for a long time. However, because it was hidden, I had no way of knowing that it was recurring-- I had to take the word of an expert (the plumber) that it was fixed, especially since I saw no evidence to the contrary. (I have receipts from each plumber.)
Furthermore, I even regrouted/reset tile in my shower to make sure there was nothing leaking, which meant showering for several weeks with a garden hose last summer.
So-- do I pretend that I belive the leak is 'sudden,' which strains credibility-- or do I chronicle the fact that I did everything a reasonable, prudent person would do to solve the problem-- and that I had no way of knowing the problem was continuing?
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:27 am Post Subject:
I don't think 'pretending' your leak to be sudden would help you in any way. Today insurers are well equipped with modern technology to distinguish between a new leak with an old one. So, I'd firmly believe that whatever little help you could achieve would depend on your telling the truth.
On the other hand, you could try and be sure if there was a chance that any of the plumbers would have known about the leakage. You could probably seek compensation from a plumber if it had been caused due to his negligence.
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:02 pm Post Subject:
Take a look at your policy and see if it states anything about leaks inside of walls. The policies that I've seen specifically mention this.
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 05:54 am Post Subject:
You may want to leave out the parts about knowing there was a problem that had been on and off going through 6 plumbers.
I'd get water claims all of the time where I would go out and find major water damage. The first words out of the policyholders mouth would be.....Well it wasn't that bad 2 months ago but I thought I would file a claim since it is now this bad.
Call your insurance company and a plumber to find out where the leak happened. I had companies pay for hidden damage all of the time...hidden damages that you did not know about nor did your new plumber prior to the ceiling falling on your head".
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