Air conditioner leaking down to neighbors condo - KANSAS

[AmarieNorton]

What is the name of your state? KANSAS

A few months ago I had a water heater installed. I had a handyman install it. Since it was a cramped space he had to cut a pipe on the air conditioner to get the water heater in the space. The air conditioner has recently begun to leak from this pipe and has probably caused damage downstairs.

I am in the process of getting the name of the handyman that did the work (since it was a few months ago and I don't remember his last name, I've ordered a copy of the check from my bank. I'll have it in a matter of hours). If I remember correctly he advertised himself as being "bonded and insured". I have homeowners insurance as well.

My questions - who has to pay for this damage (my insurance or his insurance or me)? Should I contact my insurance company to file a claim or should I try to find his insurance company so I can file the claim? Should I have someone come out to repair the pipe at my expense? Please offer any advice that you can. I'm clueless as far as what to do next.What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

 

[jhmva]

If you contact your insurace co to report the damage it will count as a claim for you regardless of the amount you receive. My advice - first determine your deductible to make sure that the damage is over and above that (and worth filing the claim). Depending on your prior claim history, it's a tough market right now for property insurance and you don't want to make an unnecessary claim and risk them cancelling you.

FROM YOUR DESCRIPTION he would most likly be liable for the damages...HOWEVER you may have to go through a lot of time to get that money from him (which is why many go to their insurance company and let them subrogate from the handy man. I can tell you that most HO policies have an exclusion for "faulty workmanship" although the wording varies.

Going to the handyman should be your first course of action...but do not delay and trun the water source off if you can survive without it until you hear from him. If you do not take reasonable measures ie turning the water off to prevent further damage, then your company can decline all or part of the claim. If you cannot get satisfaction from the handyman, and you believe the costs to repair will exceed your deductible by a good amount, then you must contact your company as soon as possible.

 

[AmarieNorton]

Thank you for your response. My husband stopped the leak within a few minutes of my neighbor calling. I'm finding that the handyman that did the work is very hard to track down. I have what I think is his phone number but he never answers and I can't find an address for him in the phone book. This whole thing will probably fall in my lap. I'll contact my insurance company and go from there. Thanks again.

 

[AmarieNorton]

Thank you for your response. My husband stopped the leak within a few minutes of my neighbor calling. I'm finding that the handyman that did the work is very hard to track down. I have what I think is his phone number but he never answers and I can't find an address for him in the phone book. This whole thing will probably fall in my lap. I'll contact my insurance company and go from there. Thanks again.

UPDATE:
My deductible is only $250 so I called and filed a claim w/ them. They'll contact my neighbor and hopefully cover our damages. My damage is minimal but hers is (according to her) considerable.