Question Regarding Home Insurance
 

So here's the break down.

On June 20th my neighbours shower pipe started leaking, which caused some damage to my unit (mainly the hardwood in the living room). This shower pipe problem has been happening more frequently over the last 2 years, there have been numerous request by strata council to have everyone replace the pipe to prevent further damage. My building manager told me our strata insurance will only cover upholstery that came originally with the building, and since I upgraded my original carpet to hardwood, strata insurance won't be covering that portion. Told me I'd either have to call my insurance or talkto the owner next door (its a rental)

Next I called up my insurance company to see what they can do, they basically told me I'm out of luck and have to use my own insurance to pay for the damages. Reason being I'd have to prove they were negligent in causing the leak into my unit.

Anyone experienced something similar to this?

Do I have a case in proving they were negligent?

There's a coverage specifically for that in your own home owners insurance. It will be in the "Betterments & Improvements" clause.

This covers any betterments and improvements you have done to your unit that is not covered by the Strata Policy in place; I would say no luck.

Was informed of that by the agent. Just wondering if I have a case of finding them liable for the damages without paying the $500 deductible off my insurance.

Thanks anyways

only if you can prove that the owner willfully didn't do maintenance on the pipe over time, thus causing such deterioration that lead to the leak.

Have u really called up the strata insurer, it is hard to believe they refused to cover a so called fixture. Btw hard wood floor and carpets upgrade are grey area in home insurance, should have asked for an assessment upon completion, but normally insurer will go easy on that.

1) read the policy wording carefully on both insurance
2) find out whether ur neighbour bought any insurance
3) threaten ur neighbour and strata manager you will see them in court
4) prepare to file a complaint to the strata insurer

Will they give you an option to pay the difference between carpet and hardware?

The Strata Corporation insurance will never cover upgrades inside the your unit, your condo insurance, if you bought the coverage, will take care of that. I'm with BCAA and I have a specific clause in my contract that takes care of any upgrades (hardwood floors, etc.)

Where the pipe burst and how will determine who will get charged. If it's within the walls and the pipes were just defective, then the Strata's insurance will pick up the tab and hopefully has enough coverage for the repairs, since plumbing fixtures within the walls are considered common property. If they find the owner upstairs at fault, they can charge back the deductible and all costs to that owner.

You will have to cover your own deductable for the meantime until the Strata Corporation does it's full investigation.

Just FYI, make sure your own condo insurance policy has enough contingency coverage. For instance, your Strata Corporation's deductable could be $15,000. If you ever caused something to break and it damages common area, they can charge back the deductable to you. So make sure your policy can match that deductable. I had to pay more for the coverage, but it's well worth it.

For any more information regarding Strata Corporation insurance and Strata lot insurance, follow this link. http://www.choa.bc.ca/_members/_pdf/..._June_2011.pdf

I've been on numerous strata councils and most people are sorely under-insured or not even insured.