Outside damage from past rain

[debs]

What is the name of your state? NJ

My husband and I purchased our house approximately two years ago. As time has passed, we have noticed many small sink holes opening on our lawn, front porch sinking, cracks in garage floor etc. There is a crack from the top of the garage roof down to the driveway (along the outside of the garage next to the garage door along the sheetrock) The garage actually sits under the house connected to a walkout basement. We believe that most of this is the result of 20 years of rain not properly draining. Also, our retaining wall is acting as a sieve and large amounts of dirt pour through to the driveway with each rain. Based on this description what, if anything, should we try to claim on our homeowners policy? I don't want to start a claim until I have researched the problem and know how to approach it.

Thank you!

 

[tammy8]

Sorry sounds like a maintainance issue. Unless you have earthquake or earth movement coverage the retaining wall is not covered. Did you not have a home inspection when you purchased the house?

 

[NEOhioChick]

Most homeowners policies do NOT cover rain/flood damage, so even if you had proof that it was from water they would deny the claim because you should have had an inspection before you bought the house.

 

[moburkes]

Sorry sounds like a maintainance issue. Unless you have earthquake or earth movement coverage the retaining wall is not covered. Did you not have a home inspection when you purchased the house?

Agreed. Maintenance issue, not insurance issue.

Most homeowners policies do NOT cover rain/flood damage, so even if you had proof that it was from water they would deny the claim because you should have had an inspection before you bought the house.

Where do you get this stuff from? 20 years of rain damage doesn't remotely equate to flood damage. But, yes, homeowner's policies can cover rain damage.

 

[debs]

Thanks!

Thanks for all the replies.

Yes, we did have a home inspection, however the report only mentioned the problem with the porch...the sink holes and retaining wall problem didn't start showing up until after some very heavy rains. I suspect the former owner, had cleaned up the property, filled holes etc so that the only obvious problem was the porch...we did get a nice amount of $$ off the original agreed upon price after the inspection.

Thanks again!