Quick question about insurance...
kryptonitecomics
Posts: 9,185 ✭
I think I already know the answer but I thought I would check with the experts since we have some lawyers in the house. If my upstairs neighbors apartment floods and I have damage to my collectibles downstairs.......am I completely SOL???? Before you ask.....I owned a home for more than a decade so I knew about home owners insurance but since moving into an apartment I was not aware of renters insurance and so I have no coverage 
When the flooding occurred I was not told about it and neither was my downstairs neighbor behind me so I had no opportunity to take action and move things out of my storage closet. I am sure none of this maters in the eyes of the courts......I guess I am just hoping against hope that there is something I can do to recoupe some of my losses but.....I am not optomistic. 
For the record I contacted my car insurance company and they are adding renters insurance to my policy.
When the flooding occurred I was not told about it and neither was my downstairs neighbor behind me so I had no opportunity to take action and move things out of my storage closet. I am sure none of this maters in the eyes of the courts......I guess I am just hoping against hope that there is something I can do to recoupe some of my losses but.....I am not optomistic. For the record I contacted my car insurance company and they are adding renters insurance to my policy.
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Comments
If the so called flood was due the bathtub overflowing, as an example, then they would be liable for damages caused to your property. (The actual apartment unit they would be renting would have very limited coverage, usually about $500, as this falls under the property in care or custody limitations). So if they have a renters policy they should have anywhere from $50k upward for liability coverage which would apply in this situation. $100k is the most common but some renters do select higher limits.
If the flood was due to water ground run off then it is not likely they would be found liable unless something they did caused or allowed this to happen or their actions contributed to the severity of the loss in someway.
If it is a matter of an interior pipe bursting there is a slight chance the landlord could be responsible. There are a couple of issues that, come obvious like maintaining proper levels of heat in the building ( which also may apply to the renters if they have control over the heat settings, but you are getting into matters of common areas as well as the individual apartments.).
<< <i>It was an issue with their hot water heater....? >>
Much like the first sign of heart disease can be dying from a heart attack, the first sign of a failing water heater can be a ruptured water heater. Low probability of demonstrable negligence, IMHO.
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<< <i>It was an issue with their hot water heater....? >>
Much like the first sign of heart disease can be dying from a heart attack, the first sign of a failing water heater can be a ruptured water heater. Low probability of demonstrable negligence, IMHO. >>
I don't know if negligence would have anything to do with it as far as a law suit goes. If it's their water heater, they are responsible (or the landlord). Kind of like if someone trips walking up the steps to your house, there may nothing wrong with your steps and you may not have been negligent, but your homeowners policy will still pay them off.