Insurance coverage for aquariums

[Cardeater]

This is a subject I seem to visit at some point every year. Last time I visited, I called current insurance policy and agent tried to assure me I was covered. Of course, I realize that if a tank failure happens at some point, the adjuster might have a different idea.

Tldr:
Please post if you have extra insurance for your tank or if you feel you're covered by your current insurance.

I've done a search on here and this post was interesting:

Renter's insurance

Wife and I are looking to get renters insurance for our apt. Anyone here have it already and if so what's the policy on large aquariums. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

The rest of the threads I found focused on renters insurance.

We live in a condo with 3 floors beneath us. What amount of liability coverage would you want for that situation? I'm thinking I should increase mine to several hundred thousand?

Has anyone been able to get a special rider that specifies Aquarium damage? I think I read that someone claimed they supposedly got a rider attached with State Farm.

I also remember a post that said no matter what, fish won't be covered bc livestock/animals are never covered (though someone got corals replaced supposedly bc adjuster probably didn't realize corals are technically animals). I'm fine with that. I'm more worried about the damage to neighbors.

We had a plumbing leak cause damage to neighbors below and insurance covered that and it went smoothly but I fear Aquarium might be different.

Before I tackle this issue again, I'd just like to hear some feedback and hear some experiences people have had with this issue.

Thanks.

 

[Dalfrey86]

Here’s the thing. The only true answer is going to be in the insurance policy booklet. Which you are provider after you purchase the policy.
You might find some information online searching various companies but I am not sure it will be widely published.
Also keep in mind that most insurance policies only cover sudden and accidental losses... not continual seepage or losses that transpired over the course of many years.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Most homeowner's policies will cover water damage to the dwelling, but they're not going to cover fixing the root cause of the water damage.

Some years ago on another board that no longer exists, a fella had something like a 75 or 90g leak. The tempered bottom blew clear out of it IIRC. The clean and scrub contractors that were brought in charged something like $10K to the guy's insurance.

 

[Cardeater]

Here’s the thing. The only true answer is going to be in the insurance policy booklet. Which you are provider after you purchase the policy.
You might find some information online searching various companies but I am not sure it will be widely published.
Also keep in mind that most insurance policies only cover sudden and accidental losses... not continual seepage or losses that transpired over the course of many years.

That's a good point. I'm gonna call them and ask me to send the policy info. I actually read through that stuff: I've read through it on car policy but I don't have the copy of the condo policy terms.

Good reminder about second part. I've heard that mentioned in my searches before.

 

[Cardeater]

Some years ago on another board that no longer exists, a fella had something like a 75 or 90g leak. The tempered bottom blew clear out of it IIRC. The clean and scrub contractors that were brought in charged something like $10K to the guy's insurance.

I don't remember exact payout but I think the water damage from the broken dishwasher (like when plumber came and tested it, water fished out of the bottom) was in the four figure range: I wanna say over $5k.

100g+ has gotta be over 100k?

The condo rules don't prohibit aquariums but they do specifically prohibit water beds. They probably wouldn't like a huge tank (they've seen current tank and said they didn't like it but it wasn't prohibited in rules). If I get a new tank, I'm hoping to get it in here without a lot of people seeing it...

 

[Cardeater]

Aquarium Insurance – Cover Your Butt Or It Could Cost You! | The Beginners Reef

I just saw a forum post of a poor guy who's tank had just exploded and having seen the mess got me thinking. Does my…

thebeginnersreef.com

Found that article. Figured I'd link it her so I can find it again later. Has some good questions to ask insurance agent.

Edit:
Info from value penguin, which I guess is some financial site which has links to insurance company quotes:

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pet Damage?

Your insurance may sometimes cover damage to your property caused by pets, but exclusions apply.

www.valuepenguin.com

Are fish tanks covered by homeowners insurance?
Water damage is typically covered by homeowners insurance policies, as long as the cause of the property loss wasn't the result of your own negligence.

Most standard policies list water damage as a covered peril, which means that there's a good chance your insurer would protect your property from the damage caused by a broken fish tank.

Under a standard policy, the tank itself is covered if it was destroyed by one of the covered perils listed in a homeowners policy, such as fire.

 

[Sticky90]

I carry either $300/500k renters insurance specifically for water damage should my fish tanks have a catastrophic failure. I think it’s like $13 a month and well worth the piece of mind. As long as the fish tanks are in “proper operating condition” when first installed, the whole basement is covered for new flooring/drywall/anything else a couple hundred gallons would destroy. Not something I would want to cover myself.

 

[Cardeater]

I carry either $300/500k renters insurance specifically for water damage should my fish tanks have a catastrophic failure. I think it’s like $13 a month and well worth the piece of mind. As long as the fish tanks are in “proper operating condition” when first installed, the whole basement is covered for new flooring/drywall/anything else a couple hundred gallons would destroy. Not something I would want to cover myself.

Thanks. I'm gonna call and find out and increase my coverage to a higher number. I think I only have 100k right now.

I was too late to edit my previous post but found this from TD insurance. Maybe I should get from them, though this interpretation is consistent with other forum and webpage links I'm finding.

Water Damage Coverage for your Home | TD Insurance

Worrying about water damage? You’re not alone. But with the right coverage from TD Insurance, you can feel confident you’re protected.

www.tdinsurance.com

Water Damage Insurance Explained
Did you know that water damage coverage is already a part of your home insurance policy with us? Your coverage includes protection against sudden and accidental water damage caused by events, such as (but not limited to):

• Heating system rupture
• Plumbing system rupture
• Sprinkling system rupture
• Air conditioning system rupture
• Escape of water from a waterbed, aquarium or appliances
• Escape of water from a public watermain

Edit:

This is what coverage I have currently. Is liability what covers the damage the water would do to downstairs neighbors?

 

[Sticky90]

Thanks. I'm gonna call and find out and increase my coverage to a higher number. I think I only have 100k right now.

I was too late to edit my previous post but found this from TD insurance. Maybe I should get from them, though this interpretation is consistent with other forum and webpage links I'm finding.

Water Damage Coverage for your Home | TD Insurance

Worrying about water damage? You’re not alone. But with the right coverage from TD Insurance, you can feel confident you’re protected.

www.tdinsurance.com

Water Damage Insurance Explained
Did you know that water damage coverage is already a part of your home insurance policy with us? Your coverage includes protection against sudden and accidental water damage caused by events, such as (but not limited to):

• Heating system rupture
• Plumbing system rupture
• Sprinkling system rupture
• Air conditioning system rupture
• Escape of water from a waterbed, aquarium or appliances
• Escape of water from a public watermain

Edit:

This is what coverage I have currently. Is liability what covers the damage the water would do to downstairs neighbors?

View attachment 1450738

Yes, and that’s the exact coverage you want.

 

[Cardeater]

One last link. This thread I found great discussion on this insurance issue. Several reported have successful claims from State Farm. There were a few other reports from other companies that covered their loss. Post 63 has a seemingly good discussion from someone who claims to be in the insurance industry.

Who's insurance company covers water damage?

If you're prior military and qualify for their services, USAA is really good. I have EVERYTHING (banking, loans, insurances) with them. They specifically covered all my tank equipment and flood damage for $30 a year. Yep you read that right. I bank with USAA but have insurance (car + home)...

www.reef2reef.com