Aquarium Insurance??

pns · 07/01/2012, 10:09 AM

TLDR version
Is there such thing as aquarium insurance (not for the inhabitants but for the damage an aquarium can do to a house)?

Details
I recently had an incident where my skimmer over-produced and caused the cup overflow all night long. Because the skimmer cup rises above the top of the sump, the excess water ended up on the inside of the cabinet. It made it's way onto the floor and ended up getting into the drywall, yada yada yada...lots of water damage.

I figured I'd file a homeowners' insurance claim because the drywall repair was about $3000 and, hey, that's what insurance is for. Naturally, they found a way to deny my claim, saying that because the leak was not something that was connected to the house's plumbing lines, it was not included in the policy.

Since the aquarium is both the most valuable and highest risk item in my house, I want to be insured against its loss as well as the damage it can do to the rest of my house. I inquired with a different insurance company who said that their policies are the same way and they didn't know of any company would accept a claim like mine.

BTW: I have since completed my project to account for all foreseeable sources of flooding

Does anybody know of a way we can be covered against floods, electrical fires, etc. caused by aquarium malfunctions?

MuffsAbby · 07/01/2012, 11:24 AM

Some insurance companies cover the damage, although in most cases you will need a special rider...just like some insurance companies require a special rider if you have a waterbed, or if you have valuable furs/jewelry/etc. You should ask your insurance company if they offer the rider. If they don't, I'd start phoning around because some do. Of course, you will pay additional premiums for the extra coverage.

dunc101 · 07/01/2012, 01:11 PM

I would check around with different homeowners. Before I set my tank up, I called my homeowners insurance agent and asked him about it covering my floors in case the tank burst. After him clarifying with a higher up, he told me that my particular insurance would cover the damage to the house, but would not cover any of the tank inhabitants or the tank itself. FWIW, I have a nationwide policy.

mm949 · 07/01/2012, 01:56 PM

if your homeowners policy includes ALL contents of the home then your golden, if you have cheap insurance they will find a way out of it

07/01/2012, 10:09 AM	#1
pns Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA Posts: 14	Aquarium Insurance?? TLDR version Is there such thing as aquarium insurance (not for the inhabitants but for the damage an aquarium can do to a house)? Details I recently had an incident where my skimmer over-produced and caused the cup overflow all night long. Because the skimmer cup rises above the top of the sump, the excess water ended up on the inside of the cabinet. It made it's way onto the floor and ended up getting into the drywall, yada yada yada...lots of water damage. I figured I'd file a homeowners' insurance claim because the drywall repair was about $3000 and, hey, that's what insurance is for. Naturally, they found a way to deny my claim, saying that because the leak was not something that was connected to the house's plumbing lines, it was not included in the policy. Since the aquarium is both the most valuable and highest risk item in my house, I want to be insured against its loss as well as the damage it can do to the rest of my house. I inquired with a different insurance company who said that their policies are the same way and they didn't know of any company would accept a claim like mine. BTW: I have since completed my project to account for all foreseeable sources of flooding Does anybody know of a way we can be covered against floods, electrical fires, etc. caused by aquarium malfunctions?

07/01/2012, 11:24 AM	#2
MuffsAbby Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 327	Some insurance companies cover the damage, although in most cases you will need a special rider...just like some insurance companies require a special rider if you have a waterbed, or if you have valuable furs/jewelry/etc. You should ask your insurance company if they offer the rider. If they don't, I'd start phoning around because some do. Of course, you will pay additional premiums for the extra coverage. __________________ Susan Current Tank Info: 150g fish only DT, with 2 ocellaris clowns, flagfin angel, bangaii cardinal, flame hawk pair and lyretail anthias.

07/01/2012, 01:11 PM	#3
dunc101 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 758	I would check around with different homeowners. Before I set my tank up, I called my homeowners insurance agent and asked him about it covering my floors in case the tank burst. After him clarifying with a higher up, he told me that my particular insurance would cover the damage to the house, but would not cover any of the tank inhabitants or the tank itself. FWIW, I have a nationwide policy. Last edited by dunc101; 07/01/2012 at 01:17 PM.

07/01/2012, 01:56 PM	#4
mm949 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 1,843	if your homeowners policy includes ALL contents of the home then your golden, if you have cheap insurance they will find a way out of it __________________ 219"x30"x48" - 1350gl reef Current Tank Info: ...18ft of double sided goodness