Forum Discussion

bobinraymoremo's avatar
Jul 15, 2013

Nationwide is not on our side

I just got off the phone with Nationwide Insurance and they have denied any coverage for our black tank overflowing into the bathroom and up the vent and into the ceiling. They will send a letter but reviewed it over the phone. Denied for two reasons; mechanical failures and improper maintenance. There were two mechanical failures they stated; the vent not properly fitted to go all the way to the roof and because the check valve below the toilet did not work properly. I told them this was an RV toilet and not a home toilet and that there is no check valve. Was told this would not matter because of the other mechanical problem which is true, it should have gone out to the roof. The improper maintenance is leaving the water running after a black tank flushing. I told when I called in the claim that I thought I turned off the water but my improper maintenance leaving the water on and exiting the scene led to the loss which they will not pay for.

He also said that no insurance company would ever pay for this type of loss.

Thoughts, besides getting a new insurance company.

27 Replies

  • I used to be an insurance adjuster, and yes, we do pay for stupid. I'm not calling you stupid, so please don't take offense. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but if you leave the car in neutral and it rolls down into a swimming pool, it would be covered. Yes, it might have been stupid, but it would have been covered. It was sudden and accidental. A maintenance issue is not sudden and accidental.

    Again, I do not know the whole story, but from the little I read it sounds like they might be correct to deny the claim. If you don't feel they are being fair, you could certainly ask to have the claim reviewed. Read your policy and try to understand the exclusions portion. Then get a good understanding of what actually caused the problem. You might be able to determine if coverage should apply or not. Just because it was denied once, doesn't mean you can't dispute it. Good luck.
  • Super_Dave wrote:
    "Accidents" might be better defined as action outside your control. Somewhere in the fine print, I'm sure the policy says it doesn't cover "stupid". When I do something that qualifies as, "stupid", I'm pretty prepared to have to pay for it myself.

    Not to sure about that definition of an accident. I believe it's the intent that defines wether it's an accident or not. In cars people turn into your path, back into you, run into you, all events that were in there control. I gotta believe most insurance claims are paying for stupid.
  • My manual states not to leave the gate closed when flushing the black tank and not to leave the water running unattended. In fact, I think both are on a sticker stuck right next to the flush hook up. You must have been gone a while...

    I would chalk it up to a learning experience and move on...
  • I agree with Nationwide on this one seems like a self inflicted wound.
  • Super_Dave wrote:
    "Accidents" might be better defined as action outside your control. Somewhere in the fine print, I'm sure the policy says it doesn't cover "stupid". When I do something that qualifies as, "stupid", I'm pretty prepared to have to pay for it myself.


    2X

    Denny
  • "Accidents" might be better defined as action outside your control. Somewhere in the fine print, I'm sure the policy says it doesn't cover "stupid". When I do something that qualifies as, "stupid", I'm pretty prepared to have to pay for it myself.
  • This really depends on what your policy says. Read it closely and see what exclusions are included. I have seen in my law enforcement days, where insurance companies paid for cars, damage, and repairs where a car was driven through a garage wall and into a swimming pool. But, with extended warranties, you have to read the exclusions. The vent pipe not going through the roof is a manufacturing defect. No a maintenance issue in IMO.

    Leaving the water on in the black tank flush is an accident. Insurance is supposed to cover accidents. If everyone was perfect and we lived in a perfect world, we would not need insurance.