Condo Insurance coverage for Fire Sprinkler Water Damage

[exclaimit]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia

My Condo was flooded this weekend, due to the freezing of Fire Sprinkler water pipes. The condo was empty, as I am currently trying to sell it. I do not have a current homeowners/condo insurance policy in effect, because I moved out in July.

Is the Condo Association responsible for damage caused by the water to hardwood floors? I am being told by the Property Manager that they are not, because they are considered "betterments" since the condo was originally built with carpeting installed.

Is the Condo Association responsible for water damage to things like baseboards, walls, etc, which obviously existed as part of the condo when it was built.

Is the Condo Association responsible for damage caused by Fire Department to break into the unit (door & frame damage), remove the water (damage to toilet while removing to drain water, breaking window sill by stepping on it), and water cleanup (damage to baseboards & walls from squeegee).

Any advice or suggestions on how I should proceed? I feel a little frustrated and exposed here.

[cyjeff]

You are feeling exposed because you are.

It is your responsibility to make sure that the heat is on in your condo. It is your responsibility to make sure that your condo is insured against damage.

It is NOT the condo association's problem unless you can show a clear link from your problem to THEIR liability...

Were the pipes in question inside YOUR condo or, maybe, from the condo next door?

If they were inside your house and froze because the heat wasn't on... you lose.

I realize that insurance on an empty condo is expensive. This would be why.

[exclaimit]

Originally Posted by cyjeff

You are feeling exposed because you are.

It is your responsibility to make sure that the heat is on in your condo. It is your responsibility to make sure that your condo is insured against damage.

It is NOT the condo association's problem unless you can show a clear link from your problem to THEIR liability...

Were the pipes in question inside YOUR condo or, maybe, from the condo next door?

If they were inside your house and froze because the heat wasn't on... you lose.

I realize that insurance on an empty condo is expensive. This would be why.

The heat was on in the condo and I was there at 5:00pm, checked a number of things, as I do on weekends. The break happened about 8:00pm.

The pipes largely travel through the condo ceiling. However, the break happened near the external wall, where the pipes travel through an area where roofing covers an "extended bay window". So, its covered with roofing but with lots of airflow from soffet circulation holes.

[ecmst12]

You should have had your own insurance on the condo. I'm sure you know that now. You should read through your condo agreement to see what the association's liability might be in this case. I don't see that they were blatently negligent, only that this was an accident/act of god.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by exclaimit

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia

My Condo was flooded this weekend, due to the freezing of Fire Sprinkler water pipes. The condo was empty, as I am currently trying to sell it. I do not have a current homeowners/condo insurance policy in effect, because I moved out in July.

Is the Condo Association responsible for damage caused by the water to hardwood floors? I am being told by the Property Manager that they are not, because they are considered "betterments" since the condo was originally built with carpeting installed.

Is the Condo Association responsible for water damage to things like baseboards, walls, etc, which obviously existed as part of the condo when it was built.

Is the Condo Association responsible for damage caused by Fire Department to break into the unit (door & frame damage), remove the water (damage to toilet while removing to drain water, breaking window sill by stepping on it), and water cleanup (damage to baseboards & walls from squeegee).

Any advice or suggestions on how I should proceed? I feel a little frustrated and exposed here.

**A: what did the condo HOA insurance agent tell you when you inquired?