trying to see if its worth adding a sewer insurance (around 40+yr old home in CA) there is a huge tree in front yard and i have a feeling now or later it may cause issues in sewer line, which is under/near tree.
Anyone had good experience and suggest the process, and also how to make sure, insurance company won't create issues in claim in case needed in future (hearing horror stories on it)
how to go about it ? and what to ask/make sure is covered.
Ron,
It's been my experience that most insurance policies "do not" cover the cost to fix underground pipes when there's no resulting damage to the home/structure itself. Many times underground pipes burst due to age/decay, normal wear and tear, shifting clays/foundations, freezing, or because of a tree root. None of that really matters if there's no resulting damage to your home/structure itself. Most carriers see this as a maintenance issue if this is the result of your situation.
For example, if your sewer pipe bursts due to a tree root puncturing it, but doesn't cause any resulting damage to the inside or outside of your home, then most insurance carriers won't pay to fix that pipe. Since the pipe is the only item damaged, they see that as a maintenance responsibility, and that falls back on you as the owner.
That said, if their "is" resulting damage to your home/structure, then that's different. While the cost to fix the actual pipe itself still likely won't be covered, the cost to repair the resulting damage to your home/structure typically "is" covered. So if the burst pipe causes sewage to seep into your house, back up into your sink, toilet, tub, shower, etc., and has ruined your floors, walls, etc., then in this case you would likely have coverage. You would just want to ensure your policy affords coverage for water damage, along with water and sewer back up coverage.
Since your request has a very specific concern, I'd suggest you visit with a few different agents (along with your current agent) about how their policies will (or will not) respond to your specific situation. While they can't tell you 100% you have coverage because there are way too many variables and scenarios to consider, they should be able to confirm what would likely be covered and what wouldn't given your specific situation. Then once you find a product that seems acceptable, ask that agent for a copy of the policy form so you can review the language and all the necessary exclusions and endorsements surrounding underground pipes, water damage, and water/sewer backup coverage.
Hope you find this helpful! Good luck!
Ron,
It's been my experience that most insurance policies "do not" cover the cost to fix underground pipes when there's no resulting damage to the home/structure itself. Many times underground pipes burst due to age/decay, normal wear and tear, shifting clays/foundations, freezing, or because of a tree root. None of that really matters if there's no resulting damage to your home/structure itself. Most carriers see this as a maintenance issue if this is the result of your situation.
For example, if your sewer pipe bursts due to a tree root puncturing it, but doesn't cause any resulting damage to the inside or outside of your home, then most insurance carriers won't pay to fix that pipe. Since the pipe is the only item damaged, they see that as a maintenance responsibility, and that falls back on you as the owner.
That said, if their "is" resulting damage to your home/structure, then that's different. While the cost to fix the actual pipe itself still likely won't be covered, the cost to repair the resulting damage to your home/structure typically "is" covered. So if the burst pipe causes sewage to seep into your house, back up into your sink, toilet, tub, shower, etc., and has ruined your floors, walls, etc., then in this case you would likely have coverage. You would just want to ensure your policy affords coverage for water damage, along with water and sewer back up coverage.
Since your request has a very specific concern, I'd suggest you visit with a few different agents (along with your current agent) about how their policies will (or will not) respond to your specific situation. While they can't tell you 100% you have coverage because there are way too many variables and scenarios to consider, they should be able to confirm what would likely be covered and what wouldn't given your specific situation. Then once you find a product that seems acceptable, ask that agent for a copy of the policy form so you can review the language and all the necessary exclusions and endorsements surrounding underground pipes, water damage, and water/sewer backup coverage.
Hope you find this helpful! Good luck!
thats what I thought too, however seeing these two companies -homeserve and awrusa they both seem to cover it for around $15 a month
unless they have free prints somewhere , kot seeing so far.
what do you think ?
trying to see if its worth adding a sewer insurance (around 40+yr old home in CA) there is a huge tree in front yard and i have a feeling now or later it may cause issues in sewer line, which is under/near tree.
Anyone had good experience and suggest the process, and also how to make sure, insurance company won't create issues in claim in case needed in future (hearing horror stories on it)
how to go about it ? and what to ask/make sure is covered.
or any home Insurance company in CA which cover service lines for rental home
anyone has any pointers ?
Ron,
I've never heard of those companies, but that would certainly be worth looking into and asking how that coverage would respond given a few of the different scenarios I listed above (tree breaks the line, you/someone hits the line with a shovel, shifting soils cracks the pipe, pipe wears out over time due to normal wear and tear, etc.).
Since you're specifically referring to rentals in CA, I'd be sure to ask if their coverage would extend to busted pipes due to shifting soil/clay (aka subsidence). Sometimes this is different from actual earthquake, but most of the time it's considered the same thing. If they exclude earthquake, but cover subsidence, then this really looks like a viable option. If not, then you're really only covering underground pipes if a tree causes the damage via it's roots. Not sure that's worth the added cost or not for the typical investor, but given your specific situation, it might be.
I would also be sure to ask if normal wear and tear is covered. Underground pipes only last so long before the inside/outside corrodes due to certain elements.
With permission and help, you might also ask if you can contact some of their clients who've filed claims, and get their take on the coverage, price, and claims experience.
If you find out more about this coverage and the applicable exclusions, please post about your findings so everyone can see it.