My destroyed items were covered to $250 for fungus with a $100 deductible but water damage was determined otherwise. My understanding is that no one from the company went to the storage unit but merely asked the manager if she saw a source of the water and she said no and that is what they are basing their denial on. When I initially told the manager about the damage she didn’t deny there was water, merely told me to file a claim with the insurance company. Their response: “While water damage is a covered peril, we have no evidence of a water source in your storage unit; therefore we must respectfully deny your water damage claim.” Should I pursue this or is it hopeless?
Can I Be Denied Coverage For Water Damage In A Rental Storage Unit Because There Is No Obvious Source Despite Obvious Damage?
1866 POINTSview profilePaul RothSenior Commercial and Annuity Specialist, Freedom Brokers, Marion, Carbondale, Harrisburg ILThe terms that the insurance industry uses to cover water damage are the terms "sudden" and "accidenta". if the loss is sudden and accidental, and there is coverage for the loss, the claim will likely be paid. On the other hand, fungus, and seeping water are neither sudden nor accidental. If there is water damage, and it leaked slowly, it is not sudden. If someone got it wet deliberately with a water hose, it is not accidental. Neither of those cases would typically be covered. Fungus grows slowly, and not sudden. I am not an adjuster, but I agree with the adjuster in this case. SInce he did not know if it came from a leak, neglect, deliberately got wet, (yes, people do that) but there was no specific sudden storm, you are likely not going to win this battle with the insurance company.Answered on September 2, 2016flag this answer
22 POINTSview profileDan BeukelmanCSR, American Family Insurance,I agree with the answer above. You need to prove your loss. When you file a claim you state what happened and how, then the insurance company determines if your contract covers the damage. If there is no obvious source of water (like a burst pipe), then it probably came from rainfall - which would be a flooding event and not covered by property insurance. It would be unusual to have significant water damage without other obvious signs, there should be water damage to the structure. If someone intentionally sprayed water into your storage unit, then it's likely vandalism, and probably covered, but again, the facts have to add up.Answered on September 26, 2016flag this answer
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