To claim for not to claim??

[Chris Wagner]

Hello everyone,

I have a property that had sewer damage that costs me $3300.  I have a $1000 deductible for sewer.  The property is in Bristol TN close to where Hurricane Helene hit.  Luckily, it didn't damage my property.

The way it's going with insurance companies, should I eat the $2300 or put in a claim?  I live in California and they are looking for any way they can drop your insurance.  I wanted to get your take for the Bristol TN area.

Thanks in advance

Chris

[Ryan Fox]

Yeah, this can get kind of tricky.  A couple years ago, a Costco delivery man came to my primary residence and my dog bit him.  The delivery guy told the local animal control.  For some stupid reason, I told our insurance about the incident.  They marked it down as a "claim," even though the delivery guy never filed suit, asked for money, or sent a demand letter.  The insurance ended up non-renewing our policy because of the "claim," and most other insurers wouldn't cover our home because of the claim. 

My takeaway was never to tell the insurance about a loss unless you actually do have a loss.