Replacement of old cracked sewer line not covered by Brownstone Agency

We had huge sewage backup into our ground floor bathroom because old clay pipe without trap was cracked. Brownstone Agency does NOT cover new sewage pipe! They only cover DAMAGE caused by backup! In theory people could decide NOT to put in new pipe with trap and new backup would cause damage again and Brownstone would have to cover damage again….and again…and again. We have never had a claim and agency was supposed to give special coverage for old brownstones. But they are now a different company and the inspector was unprofessional and their policies do not cover WEAR AND TEAR. We are searching for new insurance company. I believe Brownstone is fraudulent and untrustworthy and misrepresents itself. If someone has bad experience with them let me know,and let me know if there are other trustworthy agencies.

Guest User | 8 years and 11 months ago

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ssols21 | 8 years and 11 months ago

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My family had a similar scenario under CHUBB who ended up covering a portion of the claim for the sewer work that would take place on my property. We too were under the impression that the entire sewer line was covered, it seems that NYC is the only area where the homeowners are responsible for all pipes leading out to the street, including the cost to replace the pipes under the street. After being referred by 3 neighbors we hired Harris Water & Sewer to replace the pipe and was completed quickly with no problems. Overall the job was expensive but Harris did come in lower than two other quotes we received.

Feedback- I would not waste too much time going after the insurance company, the fine print always covers them from a legal perspective.

resident2 | 8 years and 11 months ago

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No home owners insurance pays to cover deferred maintenance and upgrade issues. If your sewer line is old, you have to pay to replace it, or get the DEP sewer line insurance, but even then I have heard that if you have a really old line they will only pay part of the upgrade… because “it should have been replaces long ago.”..
Do not expect an insurance company to “renovate” your house.
The Brownstone Agency is much better than the generic; All State or Farmers etc plans because all of them have clauses regarding old electrical wiring etc… all Brownstones have some old wiring in them, even if it has been re-wired because it is impossible to get every piece of old wire out… but if insurance adjusters find old wiring in the aftermath of a fire… your insurance is mute! Yes CHUBB for historic buildings is probably better service but we cannot all afford to buy a Rolls Royce…. That said I have heard that CHUBB will not insure evr y building submitted for insurance…. deferred maintenance items etc.

BobMarvin | 8 years and 11 months ago

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When I bought my house 42 years ago Brownstone Agency was the only insurance option that wouldn’t screw you with an unfeasible coinsurance clause. I’ve only had one small claim, >30 years ago, and they were OK with that. My next 3-year renewal is due in December; I doubt that I’ll switch companies.

EJR | 8 years and 11 months ago

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Agreed that the OP’s expectations are unrealistic, though I have heard, in general, that Brownstone Agency is not all that great. I decided to with Chubb as a result, but do note that coverage is almost twice the price. You get what you pay for. Also, there is sewer line insurance through the DEP, though I have heard mixed things about it. It is cheap, however, so probably worth looking into.

BobMarvin | 8 years and 11 months ago

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DIBS is correct; the OP’s expectations are unrealistic. There IS inexpensive insurance, recommended by the City, that purports to cover sewer lines (and water mains) although I’ve read conflicting accounts about whether it would actually cover such a situation

daveinbedstuy | 8 years and 11 months ago

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Homeowner’s Insurance does not cover systems…plumbing, electric, HVAC, or your roof for that matter unless it’s toen off in a storm or something like that. Yes, the cover damage from those failed systems. This is universal.