Renters insurance does not cover water damage from aquarium?

[hogben]

I'm moving apartments and I wanted to revisit my Farmers renters insurance plan to make sure the property is covered if the tank broke.

So far I am told that the policy does not cover any damage to the floor, etc. from an aquarium, and that Farmers has no policy to cover this.

What's funny is the aquarium is the exact reason I called to get the policy in the first place and have been paying it for over three years.

Does anyone have experience with this? Can you recommend a company and policy that would cover this situation?

[on3ofak1nd]

I would also be highly interested in this info as I am moving into a new apartment and the landlords are aware of my aquarium however would like me to purchase renters insurance... which I believe is a good idea anyway.

[AndrewTR30]

I had a really hard time getting my homeowners to pay when my 150 sprung a leak a number of years ago. Something about not being realted to the homes integral plumbing...

[hogben]

I also called Nationwide and was given the same information.

Water damage is covered in certain situations, broken pipes, sewer backup, etc. but not from an aquarium or water bed.

If anyone has details on a policy or agent that would provide coverage please let me know thanks!

[hogben]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9940693#post9940693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AndrewTR30
I had a really hard time getting my homeowners to pay when my 150 sprung a leak a number of years ago. Something about not being realted to the homes integral plumbing...

Who provides your policy?

[hogben]

I've been told that the liability portion of the coverage might cover this situation. Waiting to hear back.

[Sk8r]

Technically, you can WRITE insurance to cover the chance the sun won't come up tomorrow. Some company will do this, somewhere: I think it would be interesting to know which.

[Tang Salad]

I'm a very positive and optimistic person, with one exception: insurance. You pay, pay, pay and when you need to collect they'll fineprint you out of every dime they can. Then they raise your rates to recoup any losses.

Hogben: sorry to hear you wasted three year's of payments.

Sk8r: I can write that policy for ya. PM for details :lol:

[tkeracer619]

Reminds me of my car insurance, gets broken into, has full coverage, the crook whos name I told them tore my leather...... they paid $113 to have my seat covered in cloth..... since.... leather wasnt an option that year.

Custom almost always means you bite the bullet when it comes to insurance. Good luck, if you find someone who covers the tank let us know.

[thatguy]

I have a State Farm policy, specifically because of my tank. I double checked that the liability covers any damage to the building, up to $100,000. My things are covered by the insurance. The only thing I'm not covered for is the contents of the tank.

[nsreefer]

I purchased a rider which covers the property and the tank contents if something happens ( including extended power failure) I can't remember who my policy is with, i will check when i get home.

[DaveG99]

this is good information. I was about to get renters insurance since I am on the third floor and if something happens everyone under me gets wet!!!

[Phoric]

Water damage and flooding is probably the most common form of costly major damage to homes, so it's pretty hard to get reliable insurance for it. Most companies just won't do it, and even if they do, you'll have a big fight on your hands getting them to pay up.

Then again, the insurance industry in general is just a big government-sponsored racket.

[Nanemene]

I have a State Farm policy, and I was told directly by the agent that it covered my tanks. I haven't actually read the contract though, so it could be bogus (except I'd have some damages in his words, so that at least covers me partially).

[Phoric]

it could be bogus (except I'd have some damages in his words, so that at least covers me partially)

I'd check out the fine print... "But, but!! He told me I was covered!" probably won't hold up too well in small claims court. :)

[Hop]

When I grabbed my home owner's policy I specifically had the tanks written into the policy. It only raised the premium a few dollars a year. I did not add livestock, just equipment and waterdamage.

[smcdonn]

I have state farm and had a my tank flood my house (not really bad but had to have the carpets pulled to dry) and they said they would be happy to help me file my claim. I decided against it since I knew a good guy who does carpet cleaning and such and helped me for practically nothing. But my point is, State Farm acted like they would cover the damages.

[steve the plumb]

my friend got insurance for his tank since he lived on the second floor.Its not that much extra.I think they will cover the damage to the home or a building they may even pay for lost equipment not livestock.You should get coverage if you risk damage to someones property and your own.I know my guy told me if I get water damage and something happens to the tank, I am covered but if the tank breaks they will cover the damage but not the tank itself.In otherwords I would have to show something fell IE. ceiling and broke the tank causing it to leak.I should ask him if they will pay for my livestock.Keep those bills I don't have a tank at the moment but its in the works.Dam hobby is expensive

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9946258#post9946258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thatguy
I have a State Farm policy, specifically because of my tank. I double checked that the liability covers any damage to the building, up to $100,000. My things are covered by the insurance. The only thing I'm not covered for is the contents of the tank.

That's how mine works.

[Sk8r]

You can get a rider on a homeowners for all sorts of things, if your company will accept it.

[lakwriter]

You might try a personal liability umbrella policy to cover something like that.

I know what you mean about getting verbal information about one thing and the contract contradicting it...When I graduated from college, my parents bought me a motorcycle. Given that I was a new rider and hadn't yet gotten a job, I shopped around for a hospitalization insurance policy to cover me...told the agent specifically that I needed to be covered in the event that I would be injured as a result of my motorcycle..."oh yeah, you'll be covered, no problem." Paid first month's premium to enroll, got the contract, read it...specifically stated that injuries sustained as a result of using a motorcycle were not covered. Cancelled faster than ice melts on a sidewalk in July. Can't remember the company...some small company.

[Nanemene]

The company would probably have some liability to me personally due to his words.

[DouglasTiede]

When I lived in an apartment I looked into possible water damage
if my 75g and my 90g just happened to both shatter and crash
through the floor into the lower level damaging the building and
contents of both my apartment and the one below and I was fully
covered.

I had General Casulity Ins. at the time.. I since can't stand them as an Ins. company.. But shop around it should be part of your
policy.

If it isn't then look to see if you can get it covered under an umbrella policy.

[sublime-1]

homeowners - must specifically have the agent write it into the policy and it does cover it. Point is, if you bought the house and took the policy before owning the tank, call your agent ASAP.

renters - alot of companies won't write this policy as it's difficult to ascertain "risk". For instance, you could live above a guy who has an old cable spool for a coffee table. You could also live above an old lady with an 18th century priceless victorian dining room set.

How do they define the insured amount ?


In any case, make sure you specify. Alot of insurance is ala-cart, meaning you can add and remove options down to a certain level. Anything beyond basic water damage and structural will be additional to a basic "if it spills" policy.


just my .02

[pledosophy]

I pay $130 a year to cover any damage to the property due to my tank. My deductable is $500. I live on the first floor, so the only damage would be to my carpeting, or perhaps the wall. The policy I purchased was specifically designed for renters with fish tanks and is required by my apartment complex.

I got it through Triple A.