Sewers

what can my son do. His finished basement got flooded, and his insurance company told him he's not covered.

Because of high winds and rain the electricity went out and because of this his sump pump failed. The sewer backed up and he got 6 inches of water. His insurance said since it wasn't a broken pipe or natural disaster they won't cover. I estimate about $5,000 in damages. What are his alternatives. He lives in Syracuse NY, in a developement area.

Public Comments

1. sorry fix it up
2. He could clean it up himself.
3. Read the insurance policy. DId he have sump pump coverage???
4. Fix it yourselves. If you think about it, $5000 in damage is nothing compared to fighting with an insurance company, they agree to cover it and once the renewal comes up they cancel the policy. This would make it a bigger head ache trying to get insurance coverage again and would probably end up costing a lot more than $5,000 in the long run.
5. I live in Walton NY. We were declared a disaster area by FEMA. If his county was also declared a disaster area then apply to FEMA
6. Everyone who owns a home should have flood and earthquake insurance.
7. If the area was declared a disaster he can talk to FEMA.
8. Call these people right away! http://www.publicadjuster.com Their business is making insurance companies pay, and pay the total amount, not just some token to make you shut up. They are probably the foremost independent insurance adjusters in the country, and they consistently get 10 times the amount for their clients that than the insurance was going to originally pay. Good luck!
9. 1. Read the insurance policy yourself, carefully and seriously. 2. Speak with the broker that wrote the policy. He may know something, or mat be able to fight the ins. co. 3. Speak with a different broker if you broker wont help. 4. Try finding and speaking with an independent Adjuster -- he too may have some advice. Good luck
10. Hey! I'm in the SYR area too, and with this rainfall my pump has been RUNNING>>>>>>>>>>>>> I had the same problem years ago; now I have a rider on my policy that includes sewer and drain backup...
11. Not much you can do, if the home owners policy did not have a water back up endorsement, the insurance company is not liable.
12. This is purely natural disaster. If it had not rained, his electircity would not have gone out and hence his sump pump would not have failed also. He has every right to sue for damages and breach of cocntract if the Insurance Company are not ready to pay up.
13. Well, he should be purchasing both backup of sewers and drains coverage, which is an endorsement on a homeowners policy, and he should also purchase flood insurance. Keep in mind, flood insurance is a government insurance, and it needs "triggers" to kick in, which include having damage to more than one premises. Sorry, nothing you can do NOW, except repair the damage for this loss out of pocket. He might want to leave that basement unfinished for a while . . .
14. Many of the responses talk about sump pump coverage. If he has coverage of that type it will help although his limits may be less than $5,000. I shall assume he does not have flood coverage. A homeowners policy does NOT cover flood or earthquake and unless he has purchased a flood policy then he'll not have coverage from the flood. Actually you are telling me that the sump pump did NOT fail, the electric company failed to deliver electricity. So even sump pump coverage will probably not pay in this case. There is an outside possibility that the electric company has insurance to cover this situation, I would try that, but be ready to be very persistant, because they are going to deny right off the bat, and their contract with you may "hold them harmless". Where did the water enter the house. If the high winds blew out a window and the water entered the house through that window then the homeowners policy is liable to pay for damage done by wind! I think you need to talk seriously with your agent, also the company if he will not help you. Last resort would be a lawyer.