by squirrellyshirley_410 » Tue Feb 22, 2011 06:31 pm
I live in TN but am in Florida right now for a couple of months. In te meantime, I didn't get my utilities paid and they have cut them off. How does that affect my insurance? I was told that the insurance would not cover if the utilities are off.
Can you help me with this question? Thanks so much.
Can you help me with this question? Thanks so much.
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 01:24 am Post Subject:
Let me see if I can fill in some blanks...
This is not an auto insurance question even though it's in the Auto section. Your home in TN does not have any power so it's not heated and the pipes could freeze and burst. Is this correct?
Most/Many policies do exclude damage from broken pipes if the heat is not maintained. My recommendation is to pay the utility bill and have the heat turned back on.
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 05:57 am Post Subject:
Pipes getting frozen and then bursting is not an unknown problem. Pipes if not maintained properly will burst and that's a fact instead of being a risk. Insurance covers risks and not a loss that's imminent.
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 05:28 pm Post Subject:
Simple. Homeowner insurance policies contain a specific exclusion stating that they will not pay if freezing occurs in these circumstances. Here's a quote from the ISO policy form HO 00 03 04 (homeowner policy):
Coverage A - Dwelling and Coverage B- Other Structures
We insure against risk of direct loss to property described in Coverages A and B only if that loss is a physical loss to property. We do not insure for loss
1. Involving collapse, other than provided in Additional Coverage 8.;
2. Caused by:
a. Freezing of a plumbing, heating, air conditioning or automatic fire protective sprinkler system or of a household appliance, or by discharge, leakage or overflow from within the system or appliance caused by freezing. This exclusion applies only while the dwelling is vacant, unoccupied or being constructed, unless you have taken reasonable care to:
(1) Maintain heat in the building; or
(2) Shut off the water supply and drain the system and appliances of water.
So, unfortunately, any losses would likely be excluded from coverage as you described the situation. Turn back on the utilities!
InsTeacher 8)
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