Insurance Coverage for damages resulting from fish tanks
- Thread starter richw
- Start date
ReefGeekster
Premium Member
No it was white
ReefGeekster
Premium Member
Having had first hand experience of this, if water damages your home from the ground up, it's a flood. If the water originates from above the level of the ground, it's covered under most homeowner's policies.
Some good friends of mine live in a very old house where the plumbing is in the ceiling, and they sprang a leak (while they were on vacation) that literally ruined the entire house, and it was covered. Had the plumbing been in the concrete pad under the house, it wouldn't have been.
Some good friends of mine live in a very old house where the plumbing is in the ceiling, and they sprang a leak (while they were on vacation) that literally ruined the entire house, and it was covered. Had the plumbing been in the concrete pad under the house, it wouldn't have been.
Skaters216
New member
The crawl space on my addition to my house was filled with 32" of water from hurricane Irene the crawl space measures 40'x18' long and another section 16'x16', it took me 14 hours to pump it out and when the So called insurance company came he told me since it was down graded from a hurricane to a tropical storm I wouldn't be covered for damage to my electric duck work or for the damage to my main part of my houses basement which I lost all my furniture and carpets and some other stuff,, around 15,000 worth of damage,,, insurance companies are a scam,, there's a lot more to this story with damage to my siding and fencing around my property that I won't get into but wow how they screwed me!!!!
Skaters216
New member
Your better off breaking a water line after you shut the water main off and said that's how it happened cause they will cover you for that,,,, it's a dam joke what they get away with
jmm
New member
I had my livestock end up being covered. I had a 500 gallon and a 180 gallon. The hose behind the washer broke and filled the house with three or four inches of water. There was carpet under the tanks. I told the insurance company that the tanks would have to be emptied to be moved so the carpet could be replaced. I explained that I would have to "board" the livestock at local fish stores and that none actually had enough room for that much livestock so I expected losses from overcrowding their systems. I also expected losses from re-stacking the coral and live rock where things might get mashed.
They said write a letter explaining my fears and estimating my losses. I estimated $10,000 and they paid promptly.
They said write a letter explaining my fears and estimating my losses. I estimated $10,000 and they paid promptly.
NS Mike D
New member
Ask him/her to point out the section in the policy under which the damage of a tank leak is covered. At the end of the day, it's what is in the contract that counts. I prefer to read what is in writing over oral assurances. Also, write down the date and name of the agent and his/her exact words.in case it came down to a he said she said - and getting him/her to send you an email confirming this is also valuable.
They most assuredly are NOT a scam if you shop around and buy wisely. They're only a scam if you don't, and you don't get what you pay for. I had a devastating house fire (it burned right to the foundation) on 16 December 2013 at around 3 in the afternoon. I'm insured by USAA, and the USAA rep was in my driveway the next morning at 0830, and within an hour he'd electronically transferred $5k into my USAA checking account to tide me over and allow me to buy clothes, toiletries, and basic necessities. Even with all the investigation (which was inconclusive as to the origin of the fire) and the hoops I had to jump through, I had a full and complete settlement for the dwelling, the outbuilding lost, and my personal effects in the house within three weeks with not a single question about anything. I have NOTHING but good things to say about USAA from that standpoint.
Tell me how insurance is a scam.
CindyK
New member
We've used USAA for years, and had some good experiences, but we have come across some odd idiosyncrasies. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they wouldn't cover a fish tank; or if they were choosy about what they covered. When we had an issue with them (related to our car insurance) and I asked my attorney about it, he said that at the end of they day they can choose who and what they cover, and I can choose who I buy my insurance from.
Glad I read this. I'm going to have to check into this issue before I fill, and get the answer in writing.
Glad I read this. I'm going to have to check into this issue before I fill, and get the answer in writing.
CindyK
New member
We were told "no" when we tried to add a rider for our bicycles...we've spent minimally $15k on them
Almost all homeowner's insurance policies insure the home for "all risks" of loss, which means all loses are covered unless excluded somewhere else in the insurance policy. Some insure contents against all risks and others insure only against "named perils." One of the named perils usually covered is plumbing leaks, so even under this type of policy contents might be covered depending on what happened.
Aquaengineer
New member
Be sure to review your policy and what is excluded or capped. An aquarium is considered a category 3 water damage. Some have microbial caps due to the amount of mold claims out there. You can always buy more coverage to increase caps on specific items. If they send you a letter do not just throw it away. It could be a notification of changes in your policy. I work as an independent disaster cleanup contractor and if you do not know the game Adjusters Play, you can get screwed. Especially by the big box insurance companies. If you have a fish tank you had better pay a little more premium for adequate coverage. Every carrier will try to get out of it or short pay it first. Never ask your broker. They are often told to tell you that your loss is not covered until you push it. Threaten to hire a public adjuster and see how fast you get service. Not that I would hire a PA they can be just as unethical.
I am a renter and in Canada, and insurance policies sure are not easy to read for us non-lawyer types...... No mention of aquariums, when I asked about this topic, they just sent the below which is the same as whats in the policy, I only have a small tank and landlord knows, but I imagine 20 gallons could still cause some unpleasant damage.
This is what the policy says...
Water damage exclusions.
Your Policy does not insure loss or damage directly or indirectly:
(a) caused by flood, ground water or rising of the water table, waves, tidal waves, high water, tsunamis, ice or waterborne
objects whether or not they can be attributed to earthquake;
(b) caused by gradual, continuous or repeated seepage, condensation, or leakage of water or steam over a period of time;
(c) caused by surface water, unless the surface water is a result of the sudden and accidental escape of water from a water
main, swimming pool or hot tub, but you are not insured for damage to the water main itself;
(d) caused by water that occurs when your Premises is Vacant, even if you have advised the Insurer that it is Vacant;
(e) caused by freezing of a plumbing, heating, or cooling system or an appliance that uses or holds water unless:
(1) the loss or damage occurs within a heated portion of a Building or Detached Structure insured under this Policy;
and
(2) while you or your tenants are away from the Premises for more than seven (7) consecutive days for any reason
other than receiving emergency medical treatment, you or your tenant:
shut off the water supply and drain both the plumbing system and any appliances that use or hold
water; or
(ii) make arrangements to ensure the heat is maintained at an acceptable level;
(f) caused by freezing, thawing, pressure or weight of water or ice, whether driven by wind or not, to fence, pavement, patio,
swimming pool and equipment, foundation, retaining wall, bulkhead, pier, wharf, dock or bridge
This is what the policy says...
Water damage exclusions.
Your Policy does not insure loss or damage directly or indirectly:
(a) caused by flood, ground water or rising of the water table, waves, tidal waves, high water, tsunamis, ice or waterborne
objects whether or not they can be attributed to earthquake;
(b) caused by gradual, continuous or repeated seepage, condensation, or leakage of water or steam over a period of time;
(c) caused by surface water, unless the surface water is a result of the sudden and accidental escape of water from a water
main, swimming pool or hot tub, but you are not insured for damage to the water main itself;
(d) caused by water that occurs when your Premises is Vacant, even if you have advised the Insurer that it is Vacant;
(e) caused by freezing of a plumbing, heating, or cooling system or an appliance that uses or holds water unless:
(1) the loss or damage occurs within a heated portion of a Building or Detached Structure insured under this Policy;
and
(2) while you or your tenants are away from the Premises for more than seven (7) consecutive days for any reason
other than receiving emergency medical treatment, you or your tenant:
shut off the water supply and drain both the plumbing system and any appliances that use or hold
water; or
(ii) make arrangements to ensure the heat is maintained at an acceptable level;
(f) caused by freezing, thawing, pressure or weight of water or ice, whether driven by wind or not, to fence, pavement, patio,
swimming pool and equipment, foundation, retaining wall, bulkhead, pier, wharf, dock or bridge
AaronGustafson
New member
I just spoke with my USAA agent last night and they confirmed that my renters policy would cover a tank leak. Maybe their insurance policies have changed. Of course the damage coverage is relative to your insured amount.
AaronGustafson
New member
You can get a personal property rider for expensive items like jewelry. Maybe approach it that way?
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