Home Insurance Forum

Nov. 11, 2007

I had a leak in the kitchen and called a plumber. Water pipes had to be replaced. The plumber had to tear a hole in the ceiling to get to the pipes. The cost for the plumbing was $350. Can the $350 be used toward my homeowners deductible, which is $500, to get the ceiling fixed? Also, as a consumer, do I have a right to get estimates? The company referred me to someone they do business with.

Peggy, California

Dear Peggy,

Jayna Neagle, a spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute, says that insurance companies consider that $350 to be payment for maintenance. It won't count toward your deductible.

However, Neagle says you can certainly document the cost and submit it to your insurance company — they just might pay it if it's covered by your policy.

As far as getting different estimates, it's definitely something you're entitled to do. Plus, you can always hire your own adjuster to estimate your damage. You can find out more about public adjusters in Public claims adjusters can level the playing field for you.

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