I was in charge of hiring a plumber to remedy some cast iron plumbing issues at a bathroom tub. Elite plumbing was the first out. They scoped the toilet line and discovered compromises in the sewer lines. They then suggested and assured us that we could get insurance to pay for remediation and replacement of cabinets, flooring, etc., that would need to be removed and replaced to get to the sewer lines.
I asked Matt from Elite Plumbing why they don’t wait for the insurance company to approve remediation before proceeding. He said we needed to establish plumbing damage so the insurance would pay.
I did not realize it then, but most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover sewer-related damages, but they do cover plumbing leak-related damages.
Within an hour, Matt had Quick Restore out to the property, and they turned on water valves in the kitchen and bathrooms to make it look like plumbing leaks.
The next day they began removing cabinets and clearing space for sewer demolition. Because the home was older, they ordered asbestos tests. They tented the kitchen and bathrooms, then removed the cabinets, then removed the drywall up to the top of the cabinets. They tore the house apart trying to establish or remove proof of plumbing damage.
A week later, the insurance company sent an adjuster out, and they denied the claim because it was all sewer-related damage.
Quick Restore and Elite Plumbing’s’ strategy to get the insurance company to pay did not work, and it cost the homeowner an extra $5k to restore the property. ON TOP OF THAT, Quick Restore billed the owner $5K for their unneeded demo work.
When you have plumbing damage, please don't let these companies make you think insurance will cover the damages. Always wait for an insurance adjuster to validate your claim.