Insurance Question (tiling, subfloor, sink, ceilings)

[SA Greed]

My nephew recently left the water running in the sink upstairs for quite a long period of time and water wound up going all over the place. I have carpet and it spread from the bathroom to the game room and the room that is directly next to the bathroom. The bathroom had so much water, you could see the water over your toes if you walked through it barefooted. Needless to say I was really upset. We had been planning on getting wood floors in the game room and now we have to move quick because of the water damage. My question is since there was so much water, what type of damage am I looking at? Previously I had only carpet but now I plan on tiling the bathroom where this happened and as what I previously mentioned in the game room. My deductible is 1k which is not bad but I am curious, would that have caused that much in damage considering I only had carpet to begin with? Also, about a year ago we had a severe hail storm and plenty of the neighbors claimed it and got their roofs replaced/repaired. I never got around to getting an estimate and figured I should mention that to my insurance company while discussing this carpet issue. I was told by a friend that there is a time period in which you have to claim it. My issue is, theoretically if my neighbors’ roofs needed replacing, shouldn’t mine? And if so, why would there be a timeline? If they cover both would there be two deductibles considering these are two different issues? Sorry to be so long winded. Thanks in advance.

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by SA Greed

My nephew recently left the water running in the sink upstairs for quite a long period of time and water wound up going all over the place. I have carpet and it spread from the bathroom to the game room and the room that is directly next to the bathroom. The bathroom had so much water, you could see the water over your toes if you walked through it barefooted. Needless to say I was really upset. We had been planning on getting wood floors in the game room and now we have to move quick because of the water damage. My question is since there was so much water, what type of damage am I looking at? Previously I had only carpet but now I plan on tiling the bathroom where this happened and as what I previously mentioned in the game room. My deductible is 1k which is not bad but I am curious, would that have caused that much in damage considering I only had carpet to begin with? Also, about a year ago we had a severe hail storm and plenty of the neighbors claimed it and got their roofs replaced/repaired. I never got around to getting an estimate and figured I should mention that to my insurance company while discussing this carpet issue. I was told by a friend that there is a time period in which you have to claim it. My issue is, theoretically if my neighbors’ roofs needed replacing, shouldn’t mine? And if so, why would there be a timeline? If they cover both would there be two deductibles considering these are two different issues? Sorry to be so long winded. Thanks in advance.

If I were you, and I'm not a Property & Casualty agent but I am a Life and Health Agent, I would leave the insurance company OUT of it unless you want to have your rates double or even risk getting cancelled. Save your insurance for something serious like a tree falling on your house. I'd post your message where building contractors will read it and ask them about the costs involved and get the work done and pay for it yourself. Also I would make sure everything is dry before you put wood floors in. You do NOT want to put wood floors over a damp subfloor and trap in the dampness.

[SA Greed]

We are going to drop our coverage to go with another company for $500 less per year so i don't care if they raise the rates. What about the double deductible? Thanks for your response.

[martinez4]

Originally Posted by SA Greed

We are going to drop our coverage to go with another company for $500 less per year so i don't care if they raise the rates. What about the double deductible? Thanks for your response.

I am assuming you got the quote in hand....but that was before you make/made the claim on the water damage. Once that claim is made, mostly likely, the other insurance company will readjust their quote based on the fact that a claim was made.

Just a thought....good luck

[johnrex62]

I would also check to see if you are even covered for this type of water damage. Many policies only cover water damage in case of a broken pipe or windblown water in an opening caused by a covered event. Leaving a tap open is often considered negligence and is excluded by normal coverage.

[CarolinaCruzes]

martinez24 is right. Nothing is private anymore. If you make a claim, that claim is visible to the whole industry. No way around it. I would get quotes and pay out of pocket.

[SA Greed]

Thanks for your assistance everyone!! Dang negligent nephew! !

[martinez4]

No prob....see ya in SA:-)

[goodbyehollywood]

Yes, all the insurance companies share information. Even if you call your insurance agent, but do not go ahead and open your claim, it will go on your CLUE report. This will affect your rates for years to come. A lot of claims or a high claim can get your insurance cancelled, your rates raised or prevent you from getting a new policy when you move or come up for renewal.

A big claim can also make it hard to sell your house, because the new owner may not be able to get insurance or may have to pay a higher premium because of your claims. This happened to me. We were in escrow on a home and the seller did not disclose a water leak that resulted in a high claim. We had a very hard time getting insurance, even though the leak had been fixed, and the policy would have been double the amount it would normally have been-- because of the house/seller's history, not ours! We withdrew our offer, the seller had to disclose the CLUE report and the house sat on the market for a long time thereafter.

[titaniummd]

Originally Posted by SA Greed

My nephew recently left the water running in the sink upstairs for quite a long period of time and water wound up going all over the place. I have carpet and it spread from the bathroom to the game room and the room that is directly next to the bathroom. The bathroom had so much water, you could see the water over your toes if you walked through it barefooted. Needless to say I was really upset. We had been planning on getting wood floors in the game room and now we have to move quick because of the water damage. My question is since there was so much water, what type of damage am I looking at?

You need water mitigation services that will dry out the floors and prevent damage to the structures in the ceilings of the 1st floor and floors of the 2nd floor. It reduces moisture to prevent mold/mildew which can contribute to allergies. You need it done ASAP!