We finally had the insurance adjuster over to look over our limited
hurricane damage. One of our problems was that water had come in
through the walls (soaking the carpet, damaging furniture, etc.)
during the hurricane. The adjuster said it was "hydrostatic" damages
that were not covered by our insurance. I got the impression that he
said water was seeping in between our slab and the cbs walls because
of air pressure from the hurricane. It only happened in 2 walls our
house and we'd like to do whatever we have to do so that it doesn't
happen again. I was planning on just painting over the water stains
with Kilz and then paint. But would appreciate suggestion as to what
to do to repair it so that it won't happen again.

Thanks!

Sandy

sandy wrote:
We finally had the insurance adjuster over to look over our limited
hurricane damage. One of our problems was that water had come in
through the walls (soaking the carpet, damaging furniture, etc.)
during the hurricane. The adjuster said it was "hydrostatic" damages
that were not covered by our insurance. I got the impression that he
said water was seeping in between our slab and the cbs walls because
of air pressure from the hurricane. It only happened in 2 walls our
house and we'd like to do whatever we have to do so that it doesn't
happen again. I was planning on just painting over the water stains
with Kilz and then paint. But would appreciate suggestion as to what
to do to repair it so that it won't happen again.

Thanks!

Sandy

Are the walls made of block, wood what?

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message
...
sandy wrote:
We finally had the insurance adjuster over to look over our limited
hurricane damage. One of our problems was that water had come in
through the walls (soaking the carpet, damaging furniture, etc.)
during the hurricane. The adjuster said it was "hydrostatic" damages
that were not covered by our insurance. I got the impression that he
said water was seeping in between our slab and the cbs walls because
of air pressure from the hurricane. It only happened in 2 walls our
house and we'd like to do whatever we have to do so that it doesn't
happen again. I was planning on just painting over the water stains
with Kilz and then paint. But would appreciate suggestion as to what
to do to repair it so that it won't happen again.

Thanks!

Sandy

Are the walls made of block, wood what?

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math



The writer stated that it's on a slab with cbs walls.

JerryL wrote:
"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message
...
sandy wrote:
We finally had the insurance adjuster over to look over our limited
hurricane damage. One of our problems was that water had come in
through the walls (soaking the carpet, damaging furniture, etc.)
during the hurricane. The adjuster said it was "hydrostatic" damages
that were not covered by our insurance. I got the impression that he
said water was seeping in between our slab and the cbs walls because
of air pressure from the hurricane. It only happened in 2 walls our
house and we'd like to do whatever we have to do so that it doesn't
happen again. I was planning on just painting over the water stains
with Kilz and then paint. But would appreciate suggestion as to what
to do to repair it so that it won't happen again.

Thanks!

Sandy

Are the walls made of block, wood what?

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math



The writer stated that it's on a slab with cbs walls.

Sorry I am not familiar with the term "cbs walls.


E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

On 20 Oct 2004 11:46:38 -0700, (sandy) wrote:

We finally had the insurance adjuster over to look over our limited
hurricane damage. One of our problems was that water had come in
through the walls (soaking the carpet, damaging furniture, etc.)
during the hurricane. The adjuster said it was "hydrostatic" damages
that were not covered by our insurance. I got the impression that he

I take it that the insurance company adjuster is claiming that this
was ground water seepage? Did the outside water level approach the
foundation ?

If the answer is yes.. then the damages are covered by flood
insurance. see http://www.fema.gov/txt/nfip/2004adjmanual.txt

P.S. I'm assuming this is in Florida..


Otherwise.. Watch for resolution of this case..
http://www.citizensfla.com/bnc_meet/...l%20Report.pdf
"Carl J. Ferro & Italia, Inc. et al. v. Florida Windstorm Underwriting
Association"... A class action currently pending in Broward County
Circuit Court.

"The issues in this case are similar to those raised in the matter
styled Anil Gajwani and Suresh Gajwani v. Lexington Insurance Company
and Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association, Miami-Dade County
Circuit Court. The Gajwanis suffered damage to their residences as a
result of Hurricane Irene. FWUA denied the Gajwani’s claims on the
grounds that the damage was caused by wind-driven rain and, therefore,
excluded under the policy. Lexington, the homeowner’s carrier, also
denied coverage, relying on a windstorm exclusion endorsement in its
policy."

"The trial court entered final summary judgment in favor of the
Gajwanis and against FWUA, finding, inter alia, that the wind driven
rain exclusion violated public policy because the FWUA was created to
provide people with windstorm coverage and this exclusion eliminated
the coverage people were supposed to receive. In granting the summary
judgment, the trial court also found that FWUA tacitly admitted there
was coverage by agreeing to an appraisal, and because in 2000, FWUA
revised its policy to eliminate the wind driven rain exclusion."

The Appeal of the Gajwanis case is likely to be decided one way or
another in the next year.
http://199.242.69.70/pls/ds/ds_docke...&psSearchType=

P.S. The Insurance adjuster was most likely full of it..
(About it not being covered..)

said water was seeping in between our slab and the cbs walls because
of air pressure from the hurricane. It only happened in 2 walls our
house and we'd like to do whatever we have to do so that it doesn't

One should expect that wind driven rain damage is to be expected in
a hurricane.

Now.. the decision for you.. were your losses greater than your wind
storm deductible? If yes.. file an appeal and/or ask for mediation.

Or wait a bit longer.. document, mediate/fix your damages, and tally
up your losses.

You might mention "Anil Gajwani and Suresh Gajwani v. Lexington
Insurance Company and Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association" in
your claim. If your insurance company fails to act in good faith,
that increases the insurance companies liability well beyond the
actual damages. (And is worthy of a lawyers attention).

Note: Any company who's policy is supposed to supplant a FWUA
policy must have similar terms.

On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 18:30:46 -0400, Tim Keating
wrote:

On 20 Oct 2004 11:46:38 -0700, (sandy) wrote:

We finally had the insurance adjuster over to look over our limited
hurricane damage. One of our problems was that water had come in
through the walls (soaking the carpet, damaging furniture, etc.)
during the hurricane. The adjuster said it was "hydrostatic" damages
that were not covered by our insurance. I got the impression that he

I take it that the insurance company adjuster is claiming that this
was ground water seepage? Did the outside water level approach the
foundation ?

If the answer is yes.. then the damages are covered by flood
insurance. see http://www.fema.gov/txt/nfip/2004adjmanual.txt

P.S. I'm assuming this is in Florida..


Otherwise.. Watch for resolution of this case..
http://www.citizensfla.com/bnc_meet/...l%20Report.pdf
"Carl J. Ferro & Italia, Inc. et al. v. Florida Windstorm Underwriting
Association"... A class action currently pending in Broward County
Circuit Court.

"The issues in this case are similar to those raised in the matter
styled Anil Gajwani and Suresh Gajwani v. Lexington Insurance Company
and Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association, Miami-Dade County
Circuit Court. The Gajwanis suffered damage to their residences as a
result of Hurricane Irene. FWUA denied the Gajwani’s claims on the
grounds that the damage was caused by wind-driven rain and, therefore,
excluded under the policy. Lexington, the homeowner’s carrier, also
denied coverage, relying on a windstorm exclusion endorsement in its
policy."

"The trial court entered final summary judgment in favor of the
Gajwanis and against FWUA, finding, inter alia, that the wind driven
rain exclusion violated public policy because the FWUA was created to
provide people with windstorm coverage and this exclusion eliminated
the coverage people were supposed to receive. In granting the summary
judgment, the trial court also found that FWUA tacitly admitted there
was coverage by agreeing to an appraisal, and because in 2000, FWUA
revised its policy to eliminate the wind driven rain exclusion."

The Appeal of the Gajwanis case is likely to be decided one way or
another in the next year.
http://199.242.69.70/pls/ds/ds_docke...&psSearchType=

P.S. The Insurance adjuster was most likely full of it..
(About it not being covered..)

said water was seeping in between our slab and the cbs walls because
of air pressure from the hurricane. It only happened in 2 walls our
house and we'd like to do whatever we have to do so that it doesn't

One should expect that wind driven rain damage is to be expected in
a hurricane.

Now.. the decision for you.. were your losses greater than your wind
storm deductible? If yes.. file an appeal and/or ask for mediation.

Or wait a bit longer.. document, mediate/fix your damages, and tally
up your losses.

You might mention "Anil Gajwani and Suresh Gajwani v. Lexington
Insurance Company and Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association" in
your claim. If your insurance company fails to act in good faith,
that increases the insurance companies liability well beyond the
actual damages. (And is worthy of a lawyers attention).

Note: Any company who's policy is supposed to supplant a FWUA
policy must have similar terms.


A followup on my previous post..

http://www.fldfs.com/companies/bulletins/00%2D001.htm

BULLETIN 00-001
February 1, 2000

Florida Department of Insurance
Bill Nelson
Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshal

All Property and Casualty Insurers

Wind Exclusion Endorsements

The Department of Insurance has learned that some insurers are
interpreting their wind exclusion endorsements to exclude coverage for
structural damage when such damage is caused by rain that enters a
structure through an opening not created directly or indirectly by
wind. We have found some instances where these types of claims have
been denied, in contravention of the wind exclusion endorsement.

While individual policy language would have to be considered in
context, the Department's approval of wind exclusion endorsements has
been predicated on the premise that the only coverage that can
properly be excluded under the endorsement is that which is provided
by the Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association.

The misapplication of the wind exclusion endorsement and denial of
claims for structural damage caused by rain that enters a structure
through an opening not created directly or indirectly by wind, appears
to present an unfair trade practice, violative of Part IX of Chapter
626 of the Insurance Code, subjecting insurers to administrative fines
and other appropriate administrative action.

On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 11:46:38 -0700, sandy wrote:

We finally had the insurance adjuster over to look over our limited
hurricane damage. One of our problems was that water had come in
through the walls (soaking the carpet, damaging furniture, etc.)
during the hurricane. The adjuster said it was "hydrostatic" damages
that were not covered by our insurance. I got the impression that he
said water was seeping in between our slab and the cbs walls because
of air pressure from the hurricane. It only happened in 2 walls our
house and we'd like to do whatever we have to do so that it doesn't
happen again. I was planning on just painting over the water stains
with Kilz and then paint. But would appreciate suggestion as to what
to do to repair it so that it won't happen again.

Thanks!

Sandy

Water damage is water damage. If you have flood insurance, make a claim.
If you get no satisfaction, contact the state insurance commissioner and
let the insurance companies know you have/will. Or request a different
adjuster. Not every adjuster treats each problem identically. Insurance
adjusting can be very, very subjective unfortunately.

Joseph Meehan wrote:


Sorry I am not familiar with the term "cbs walls.

Concrete block, stucco is my guess.

--
dadiOH
_____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.0...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
____________________________

Water damage is water damage.

It sure is clear this guy isn't familiar with Florida homeowner, wind storm
and/or flood insurance.

The walls are cement block with paint over it (here cement block
construction is very common and is referred to as "CBS") and yes we
live in Florida. As we live in a "high" area at least for Florida, we
do not have Flood insurance.

Our damages from this water intrusion were basically minor....just
water stains on the wall and one damaged piece of furniture. If our
insurance company comes through with what they seemed to indicate,
we'll be happy with the settlement. I'd just like to know if there is
anything I can do to prevent this type of water intrusion again.

By the way, during all three hurricanes (which we got pieces of), we
NEVER had any standing water outside and the line between the
foundation and the block walls (pointed out to me by the
adjuster..where you could see a line of moisture) was well above
ground level. On some areas of our exterior walls, you can see where
a layer of ? (cement?) has been spread over the connecting areas but
it's only done in places. Come to think of it, it's been done in the
areas that leaked. Maybe a previous owner tried a repair.

Is there anything I can do to fix this or should I just move the
furniture when the next "blowhard" comes calling!?

Sandy

If this happened during a "named event" and it wasn't "rising water" (flood)
you will be covered by your windstorm policy, not your homeowners.
The problem is your deductible is typically $2,000 to $4,000, depending on what
the total insured value is and the option you selected.
That deductible is "per event". If it is spread out over the 3 storms that hit
central Florida you may actually be looking at $6,000-$12,000 in deductibles.
Some insurers are giving folks a break on this.
This will have to be a significant amount of damage before it is worth putting
in a claim.

One trick I have seen on stem wall houses is to put a 4" wide piece of foam
over this joint and stucco over it. They usually do it as a cosmetic element in
other places but when it is over a joint it will let it move a little without
cracking the outside finish.