what can I do is there any insurance help?

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Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 11:44 am Post subject: what can I do is there any insurance help?

My house has damage from 2 things, rotted floor joists and the floor is settling from impropper support of the floor joists. The home was built in the 70's. The rot was caused by rain water getting in one specific place. The settling is caused by they used wood shims to support the floor n top of the concrete support posts and they have compressed causing the floor to sag.

mtkajbaker

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Joined: 29 May 2009
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Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 6:24 pm Post subject:

You can contact your homeowner's insurance company or read through the policy binder, but I wouldn't think it would be covered. It sounds as though the damage has resulted from years of rain water getting in. Had the damage been due to a specific storm, or a specific instance...the situation would be different. Now if the wood shims were used improperly and would fail inspection standards (of the time that the house was built)...you may be able to pursue the original builder of the home. However, being that the home was built in the 70's...are they still in business?

ChrisBantly

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Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 1:36 am Post subject:

1. The insurance company will not cover this loss, period. 2. Going after the original builder, if the house was built in the '70s will also be a waste of time. The statute of limitations on the original home-build has been expired for a couple of decades. Unfortunately, this repair job is gonna be on the homeowner. InsTeacher

InsTeacher

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Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 3:14 am Post subject:

Sorry mtkaj.baker, You've got an answer from an agent, a teacher, and now an adjuster...no coverage...this is gradual deterioration, and excluded...losses must be 'sudden and accidental'... I really am sorry and wish we had better news for you.. _________________ "Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr.

Lori

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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:54 am Post subject:

I think its again a maintenance issue and wouldn't be covered under the HO policy. The HO policy specifically exclude damages caused from lack of maintenance and negligence of the owner. Water damages need to be sudden and accidental to be covered under the HO plan. Gradual accumulation of rain water and damages caused afterward wouldn't be covered by the homeowners policy. ~Jeremy