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Started By
Message
Insurance claim question.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 7:57 am
Posted on 8/27/25 at 7:57 am
We have a sunken living room that was built up using 2x4 and subfloor plywood. So there was an air gap between the slab and the new subfloor.
Problem developed where moisture from the slab rotted out the subfloor and created lots of mold and mildew. The raised floor was installed 5 year ago.
It a 1978 built, on slab house. I do not think a vapor barrier was laid down under the slab. Was that a process in 1978?
My question is if this would be covered by homeowners insurance? One concern I have is that maybe the cast iron drain line has a leak somewhere that is developing the high moisture in the slab.
Problem developed where moisture from the slab rotted out the subfloor and created lots of mold and mildew. The raised floor was installed 5 year ago.
It a 1978 built, on slab house. I do not think a vapor barrier was laid down under the slab. Was that a process in 1978?
My question is if this would be covered by homeowners insurance? One concern I have is that maybe the cast iron drain line has a leak somewhere that is developing the high moisture in the slab.
8
Posted on 8/27/25 at 8:19 am to fwtex
probably not as it occurred over time and not as the result of an event, but always best to read your policy.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 8:27 am to fwtex
I’d be weary about putting a claim in these days depending where you live.
I’d also do some more research. If it was in fact built 5 years ago, there should be some sort of photo documentation of the prepour inspection. There could be a vapor barrier under the slab, which might not be visible if you have steady done some inspections. Perhaps call the parish or town you live in and ask for the permit department, or if you live in orleans, it’s all searchable online.
Edit: didn’t read “slab” was poured 1978. Yes, probably no vapor barrier. It’s not the end of the world to rip out the floor and add some sort of vapor barrier if that’s the case, especially if you contract it out yourself.
I’d also do some more research. If it was in fact built 5 years ago, there should be some sort of photo documentation of the prepour inspection. There could be a vapor barrier under the slab, which might not be visible if you have steady done some inspections. Perhaps call the parish or town you live in and ask for the permit department, or if you live in orleans, it’s all searchable online.
Edit: didn’t read “slab” was poured 1978. Yes, probably no vapor barrier. It’s not the end of the world to rip out the floor and add some sort of vapor barrier if that’s the case, especially if you contract it out yourself.
This post was edited on 8/27/25 at 8:35 am
Posted on 8/27/25 at 8:31 am to PaBon
quote:
I’d also do some more research. If it was in fact built 5 years ago, there should be some sort of photo documentation of the prepour inspection.
quote:
It a 1978 built, on slab house.
I don't think he will have a 5 year old photo of a pre-pour inspection on a slab that was poured in 1978. Math ain't mathing.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 8:35 am to Motorboat
If the slab moisture is coming from a "sudden" break under the slab, would that be considered water damage, or does it have to be water pooling on the slab surface?
I am not sure if this is something that developed over time or the problem surfaced from a leak in the last few months.
I am not sure if this is something that developed over time or the problem surfaced from a leak in the last few months.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 8:35 am to Tadey
Yes, just edited my post. Thanks!
Posted on 8/27/25 at 8:39 am to fwtex
I had a situation where a leaking pipe in the walls caused mold to develop. The insurer (USAA) paid for the repairs with no issues.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 9:53 am to fwtex
quote:
sunken living room
quote:
created lots of mold and mildew.
These are both going to be red flags for your insurer. Most polices do weird things with sunken living rooms and actually consider them as basements. Most policies also have a mold and mildew exclusion (unless its part of a sudden and accidental loss). With the rotted subfloor they will almost assuredly deny it because they will say it occurred over a lengthy time.
Your best bet is to call your agent and talk to them. Make sure they do not file a claim for the inquiry because you do not want it on your CLUE report unless you go through with a claim. If you do not have an agent, do not call a general call center for your carrier. They will almost assuredly file a claim for you and tell you that someone will call you back.
This post was edited on 8/27/25 at 9:56 am
Posted on 8/27/25 at 10:12 am to fwtex
I don’t know man. You need to find the cause. A sudden rupture of a pipe would be covered. A sudden break in the slab that is latent may be covered.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 10:13 am to fwtex
This will 100% be denied by your homeowners company. Do NOT call them and report this.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 10:18 am to fwtex
Insurance covers damage that happens at a point in time, every claim has a loss date. What you described isn't sudden and accidental damage at a point in time but instead damage over a period of time. It won't be covered.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 10:18 am to fwtex
A couple friends of mine bought a house with a sunken room. They filled it in with concrete. Thats all I have.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 11:16 am to LSUDad
quote:
A couple friends of mine bought a house with a sunken room. They filled it in with concrete. Thats all I have.
Yeah, wood was a bad idea. Buy nice or buy twice.
This post was edited on 8/27/25 at 11:17 am
Posted on 8/27/25 at 1:38 pm to AaronDeTiger
Thanks for the responses everyone. My initial thought was it would not be covered and to not open any cans of worms with the insurance.
I debated filling with concrete at the time but had concern as to whether the existing slab was engineered for that additional weight. Also, the moisture problem would still be there , but just through another 5" of concrete.
I debated filling with concrete at the time but had concern as to whether the existing slab was engineered for that additional weight. Also, the moisture problem would still be there , but just through another 5" of concrete.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 5:43 pm to fwtex
It needs to be a sudden accident direct physical loss. Mold growing over time typically would not be covered. A pipe bursting causing damage would be covered.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 7:47 pm to Slickback
quote:
It needs to be a sudden accident direct physical loss. Mold growing over time typically would not be covered. A pipe bursting causing damage would be covered.
A pipe bursting causing damage is typically covered but some policies exclude coverage if the leak has been ongoing for more than 14 days. Also, if it is determined to be a plumbing related issue and coverage is extended, there is no coverage for the plumbing repair and some carriers will increase your premiums by 30%. They will no longer want you. Of the 1% of people that file a non-weather related claim, 60+% will file a subsequent claim.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 7:54 pm to BigBinBR
I have been told that phone calls like this will be added to your clue report. Are you in the industry.
Posted on 8/28/25 at 8:00 pm to FOBW
Calls to claims department will likely be filed as a claim and show up. Calls to your agent shouldn’t be.
Posted on 8/29/25 at 11:46 am to fwtex
You may have coverage only to access to get to the issue that caused the problem. The cost to repair the issue or replace the rot/ mold damage will not be covered.
For instance if you need to remove the finished flooring to replace the rotting subfloor and to repair the moisture issue the cost to detach/ reset or replace the flooring may be covered.
For instance if you need to remove the finished flooring to replace the rotting subfloor and to repair the moisture issue the cost to detach/ reset or replace the flooring may be covered.
This post was edited on 8/29/25 at 11:49 am
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