Insurance claims for a leaking main water line in the foundation of the house

[kb7270]

Hello All,

Unfortunately a leak has developed in the main water line supply (in the basement of the house). This leak has been diagnosed in the section of the pipe that is embedded within the concrete foundation of the house. The plumber has quoted me a pricey amount of close to four thousand dollars to excavate the land and replace the entire length of the pipe. Meanwhile due to the constant trickle of water the carpet has been ruined. I am given to understand that the ruined carpet will be covered under my insurance policy. However, the excavation and replacing the damaged pipe might not be covered because the insurance companies are not willing to pay for any settlement or age related issues. Is this true? Is there any other way one can ask the insurance companies to pay for this entire work?

Thanks in advance for all your suggestions.

kb7270

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Rule of thumb, if water comes down from above, it is covered. If water comes up from ground, it is not. Read your policy and check wiht your agent, but this is a maintenance type of problem, not a disaster. Just as they won't repaint your house because the sun is beating on it and causing paint to weather and peel.

[marks542004]

I would get another couple of quotes , or find out if you can arrange the excavation.

I recently had a trench dug for a new electric run to a shed. Electrician quoted close to $2000 , a local excavator did it for $300.

[hallerb]

Concrete attacks copper pipe, thats what killed the radiant heat industry for many years in the US.

If the main is copper probably all but the part buried in concrete is fine.

Dig up and replace just the area thats leaking! The balance of thje line is probably like new!

[hallerb]

check homeowners deductible and wether you have replacement insurance, or depreciated coverage.....

do KNOW that a claim today may get you higher premiums for years:(

How old is the carpet?

your better off keeping insurance for major disasters and ignoring the small; stuff, or your premiums may skyrocket

[Bill]

Let's be SMART about this...

Say the carpeting will cost $1000

Say you make an insurance claim to pay for the carpeting and they raise your insurance rates $10 a month. That is $120 a year more or $2,400 more in insurance payments for the next 20 years!

Your cost for the carpeting over 20 years is $2,400.

On the other hand, say you don't make a claim, and since you don't intend to make small claims like this, you go to your insurance agent and get a higher deductable on your insurance. Say $1,000 deductable.

Then they lower your insurance rates $10 a month. That is $120 a year less or $2,400 less in insurance payments for the next 20 years!

Cost of carpet: $1,000. Insurance savings: $2,400 ==================== You have saved: $1,400 over 20 years!