How to get coverage for water damage caused by frozen pipe

by mtates » Fri May 27, 2011 01:14 am
Posts: 3
Joined: 27 May 2011

There was a significant drop in weather temperature causing the water in the pipes to freeze and expand. As a result, the waterline in the attic burst at a T- junction. My mother was away visiting, so her house was vacant at the time that this occurred. The home is well maintained and has a new roof. There are no other issues noted with this waterline.

My adult nephew checks on the home regularly and had gone by there on February 3rd. All appeared to be fine. This flood incident occurred sometime during the Superbowl weekend, February 3-6, 2011. During this time there was an Arctic Blast/Winter Storm causing the temperature to drop below freezing, paralyzing the City with Black Ice. This can be confirmed by a simple check of the City's weather record, which indicates that the temperature was in the range of mid 20 degrees.

My nephew discovered the damage on Monday, February 7th, when he went by to check on the house. He observed that water was pouring down the driveway, as he approached the home. When he entered the house, water was spraying from the attic, the ceilings were fallen in and the home contents were standing in water. He immediately turned off the main waterline and retained a water restoration company to dry the home. They removed the carpet, kitchen flooring and much of the ceiling debris. However, the home remains untenantable, so my mother has had to make other living arrangements until her home is restored.

This is a named peril policy with a $2500 Water Damage endorsement and$2500 is all the money that has been given to my mother. The estimate to restore the home is $20,000. The 3rd party claims adjuster said that the insurance company told him to write the claim as a plumbing failure instead of due to the freeze. He said that if I can get the Agent to tell him to write it the other way then he will do so and all of the damage will be covered. The Agent will not give recognition to there being a freeze. How can we get the damage covered due to the freeze? Additional living expenses are available. Can that amount be issued in advance?

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