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Homeowners’ flood claims denied

By ASSOCIATED PRESS   Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 8:02 a.m.
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OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) — The Oshkosh City Council denied flood damage claims for at least 20 homeowners during an emotional meeting Tuesday night.

Heavy rain in June flooded streets and homes around Wisconsin, including some in Oshkosh. The homeowners blame the city’s sewer system which failed to handle the water.

The council considered 21 claims totaling nearly $200,000 and rejected all of them.

Jerry Martin called on the city to fix the sewer system that sent raw sewage into basements.

The city maintains excessive rain is to blame and that it wasn’t negligent in any way.

The claims could still end up before a judge. Those who were denied have six months to take the city to court.




reader COMMENTS
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(12)
JCK
Aug 28, 2008 at 11:12 a.m.
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Not so, nowind. No offense intended but you are mistaken. If excessive rain caused the sewer system to back up and you had included back up coverage you're claim would be paid subject to the coverage's deductible.

Moco, policy language isn't that complicated anymore and has been rewritten specifically to make it easier for consumers to comprehend. It's your obligation to read your policy and if you don't understand something pick up the phone and ask.

The bottom line is that most consumers don't want to be bothered with it and sometimes that comes back to bite them in behind.

gazettefan
Aug 28, 2008 at 8:08 a.m.
Suggest removal

She needed sewer backup insurance not flood insurance.

cmfnf
Aug 28, 2008 at 1:17 a.m.
Suggest removal

A friend wasn't covered because she didn't have flood ins. after sewer backup flooded her basement from rain and runoff in Beloit. She lives on a hill.

gazettefan
Aug 27, 2008 at 5:31 p.m.
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Flooding directly from rain and flooding from an elevated body of water like a lake or river are two different things. Flooding directly from rain wouldn't require flood insurance, such flooding would be covered by homeowners or hazard insurance, which are the same thing.

nowind
Aug 27, 2008 at 5:15 p.m.
Suggest removal

If the city claims "excessive rain is to blame " than that would fall under "Flood" Insurance and most likely the insurance company would deny a "Back up of Sewer and Drains coverage"

gazettefan
Aug 27, 2008 at 5:10 p.m.
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Yes, it's a new separate item of insurance. I think it's 20 or 30 bucks a year.

pooroldman
Aug 27, 2008 at 4:44 p.m.
Suggest removal

Are you in good hands?

belisamasana
Aug 27, 2008 at 3:05 p.m.
Suggest removal

It sounds like we have to say to our agents, "I'll have what you have on your house and then add some more". Wow, it sucks being a grownup and having to figure out all this responsible stuff. Maybe someone should hold a class on house insurance to clue us in on what we might need some day.

MOC0428
Aug 27, 2008 at 2:20 p.m.
Suggest removal

But how does someone know to ask for all these to be included. I guess I haven't read every letter in my policy but I'm pretty sure no one ever told me what it didn't cover. I realize it is my responsibility but who would ever have thought to ask that when purchasing insurance???????

JCK
Aug 27, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.
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Approximently 95% of the causes of claims presented for dwelling damage and 92% of those presented for damaged property. And you can increase those precentages by adding endorsements as needed.

cmfnf
Aug 27, 2008 at 10:14 a.m.
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I get so tired of having to list every possible need for homeowners ins. Just what does a regular policy cover anyway?

JCK
Aug 27, 2008 at 9:55 a.m.
Suggest removal

It's called Back up of Sewer and Drains coverage. Homeowners insurers offer it as an endorsement on homeowner insurance policies. Even renters can purchase it. All they would have had to do is include it on their policy and they'd have been taken care of.

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