DEP Insurance for Water Main & Sewer

I am curious about everyone’s experience. I signed up for the water line and sewer protection plan after being advised by several neighbors and friends that it is not worth it due to all of the fine print. I heard several scenarios where there was a broken water line or sewer line and it was not covered by insurance due to a technicality.
I figured it was still worth it as the program was under DEP, to my surprise I was denied a repair as well. In my scenario I was paying for the insurance for 18 months and called in my first sewer backup, they responded quickly and notified me that the pipe was actually broken, they had to notify the insurance company of the cost and schedule the job. The very next day I was notified that the sewer repair was not covered due to it being a pre existing condition! I argued the facts, how could they tell this was pre existing and got nowhere. They told me to hire a private contractor and call them when it was completed and at this time they would consider covering me again.
I head very similar story’s to others and thought it would not happen to me!

huts.nyc

in General Discussion 7 years and 8 months ago

8

Please log in, in order to post replies!

8 replies

Newest Oldest

argentina | 7 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4848 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4826 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "10775"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "argentina"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BnUyN8B5BcW5ifkWSgVmPrb37lrVvh0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "argentina"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "lourdesb2@juno.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/argentina/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:14:47"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "argentina"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(10775)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I actually had a severe sewer backup and requested an inspection. They didn’t bring the camera and only saw what was visible which was a lot of water but they didn’t inspect the pipes. I argued a little and they left but I did call the office and really railed into them. They agreed to send the same guys back to do an inspection and yeah the sewer pipe out to the street was cracked….they got the permits to make the repairs, closed the streets and it was fixed within a few days. I didn’t have to shell out anything Liberty paid for it.

morralkan | 7 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4847 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4817 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "22207"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "morralkan"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BwtigCA1znnw//b.2Vjgd9QIWkWwTT."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "morralkan"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "morralkan@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(51) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/morralkan/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:05:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "morralkan"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(22207)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I’d love to hear from anyone with this insurance who actually got Liberty/AWR to shell out a single penny for anything.
(I didn’t go for the offer.

slopefarm | 7 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4818 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4849 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "655"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BK7dzbqXJe9TV6iU0glcNZiXdOt9CR1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "jrubin@law.nyc.gov"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/slopefarm/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:11:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(655)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Not illegal, necessarily. they have the right to determine whether a problem is within the coverage. But they have really given themselves a lot of wiggle room. See para 7 of the policy (this is how they get you):

7. What Repairs Are Not Covered?
AWR will not pay for any of the following:
• Repairing anything that occurred before the
Effective Date.
• Repairing anything not resulting from normal wear
and usage.
• Repairing anything caused by You or any third parties.
• Repairing anything in any home that is vacant due to
renovation, remediation or construction.
• Repairing anything caused by natural acts or
disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes,
landslides or sinkholes.
• Repairing anything caused by defective materials
that have been the subject of a recall or class action
litigation.
• Repairing any clog or blockage of Your Water Line.
• Repairing any Water Line not connected to DEP’s
water system.
• Repairing any interior pipes beyond the main shut-off
valve inside Your Home.
• Repairing any connections and/or extensions to
the Water Line, such as water lines to sprinklers,
irrigation systems, pressure-reducing valves or
back-flow preventers.
• Repairing anything required by any local, state or
federal agency inspection, unless otherwise covered
by this Agreement.
• Repairing any openings made in walls, ceilings or
surfaces inside Your Home for AWR’s independent
contractor to access Your Water Line.
• Repairing any third party’s water line that is attached
to Your Water Line.
• Restoring any gardens, shrubs, trees or structures.
• Restoring any sidewalks, curbs, driveways, roads or
other paved surfaces that are not required by permit or
New York City Department of Transportation rules and
regulations to be repaired or restored.
• Moving any water meter at the time of repair, unless
required by code.
• Relocating any section of Your Water Line, unless
necessary to complete a repair.
• Updating any non-leaking Water Line to meet code,
law or ordinance requirements.
• Removing any items necessary to access Your
Water Line, such as debris, trash, rocks, cars or
temporary structures.
• Remediating or cleaning any hazardous substance or
pollutant, such as mold or asbestos.
• Thawing any frozen section of Your Water Line.
• Excavating Your Home’s Foundation or slab in order to
access any section of Your Water Line.
• Repairing, replacing or cleaning any portion of Your
Home or its contents that are damaged by leaks or
breaks to Your Water Line.
• Paying any costs caused by a leak or break in Your
Water Line , such as lost water costs, relocation costs,
storage costs or temporary housing costs.
• Paying any damages caused by a leak or break in Your
Water Line such as lost time, lost use of Your Home
or its contents or any damages due to any special
circumstances or conditions.

hankwidmaier

in General Discussion 7 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#5068 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5071 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "191595"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "hankwidmaier"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BPBwwbNraAlj2pAOOEk.4i7MtGgThd/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "hankwidmaier"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "widmaierhj@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-22 17:06:35"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(27) "HANK WIDMAIER HANK WIDMAIER"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(191595)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Another victim! I was denied a claim just last week. I received a 3 day notice from the DEP after my water line was determined as leaking under the sidewalk. Thankfully for this American water insurance (I thought).
Liberty water and sewer came to my house who I just learned is the insurance company prime contractor. They told me that because I had done work on my foundation wall (the work was done over one year ago) that I must have broke the pipe and it’s not covered.
After doing my homework and speaking with another few plumbing companies I have come to understand that Liberty has an exclusive deal with American Water Resources which motivates them to deny claims. They work on a monthly budget which now motivates them to avoid replacing water mains in scenarios like this. I don’t know how long this has been going on but someone must put a stop to it!!
I have been paying my insurance for years and just when it comes into use they find a reason to deny me! This must be illegal and will take all of the suggestions to contact/fight this.

slopefarm | 7 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5310 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5311 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "655"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BK7dzbqXJe9TV6iU0glcNZiXdOt9CR1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "jrubin@law.nyc.gov"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/slopefarm/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:11:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(655)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I didn’t take the coverage because I was afraid of this. The policy is crafted to leave lots of room to disclaim coverage on grounds that the cause of the damage is outside the scope of coverage. When I called them, way back when, and asked whether damage to the sewer line from tree roots was covered, they would not answer.

tj — can you let us know here what reason they gave you for non-coverage? this is a recurring topic here, and it might be good to start putting together some specifics about how the insurer views the limits of the policy.

dorkofwindsor | 7 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5070 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5312 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176774"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "dorkofwindsor"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bov.472kQmY8OGlKN.dDXa5nt5gnOG0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "dorkofwindsor"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "dorkofwindsor@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(28) "/forums/users/dorkofwindsor/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:48"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "dorkofwindsor"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176774)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Call the Attorney General – this is what they do. 1-800-771-7755

It would REALLY be great if they could advocate for this whole issue for city homeowners – because it is seeming like a giant scam for new yorkers, and it does seem like the city vis a vis its endorsement and coordination is complicit. I get no documentation with fine print – and you’re going to tell me that it isn’t covered? Huge flags from what i have seen so far on Brownstoner – and since nearly every house is 100+ years old every buyer of insurance is a preexisting condition. This needs attention desperately if we are all being bilked.

SoSlope | 7 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5311 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5068 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "16781"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "SoSlope"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BpNWkcfKZsrSiAOYnmRvIA8.yhAXCk1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "SoSlope"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "danielcprice@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-09-10 19:27:46"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "SoSlope"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(16781)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Please consider contacting the New York State Department of Financial Services at (800) 342-3736 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM) or (212) 480-6400. They should be able to assist in disputes such as this. I too am paying for this insurance and am concerned by the repeated allegations of bad-faith claims handling.

kurtwest | 7 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5310 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5313 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "194336"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "kurtwest"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BCJGZMMaHmdJQM5mGmALvmQfyR35Ha/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "kurtwest"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "hendrickwest79@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 14:19:13"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(61) "Your first name Your last name Your first name Your last name"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(194336)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I tend to use this website for informational purposes only but do feel the need to share my similar experience with the insurance program. I too was duped, paid my insurance for an extended period of time and finally when I needed it, was denied a claim. I decided to battle the company for months and finally they tired me out, forcing me to hire a private sewer company to complete the underground repair work.
I am not sure how they get away with this stuff and especially after being a DEP sponsored insurance program.
Please be mindful of my experience and use extreme caution before wasting money like I did