storm caused power surge and because house is not grounded surge destroyed renters property
we just learned that the house was not grounded, electricians say its the cause if the surge, everything that was plugged into a outlet was destroyed. there is no renters .

 

  • MSAD 8:06 am on January 31, 2010

    In general – no.

    In order for the tenants property to be covered- they need to have a renter policy.

    However, your best bet is to follow up with your agent and talk to them about the situation.

  • topguntony 8:06 am on January 31, 2010

    That depends on the Policy.Check it out.

  • War Kittens? 8:06 am on January 31, 2010

    Only if the have a contents (renters) policy

  • Midwest guy 8:06 am on January 31, 2010

    No it will not. The tenants should have insurance of their own. If you are the landlord you should have in your contract that you are not responsible for their property and they should get renters insurance.

  • Lee N 8:06 am on January 31, 2010

    You need to review the coverage form to be sure, but property of tenants or boarders (if not relatives) is typically excluded from the property coverage. On the liability side of the policy you may find a similar exclusion but "house not grounded" sounds like a sketchy cause of action. I suspect the central service panel was indeed grounded or that the homeowner was not aware of the issue unless they actually did the electrical work. If there truly was an electrical defect the best avenue might be the service tech who installed the panel or electrical at issue so long as they can be identified (and the statute of repose has not run, assuming one exists in your area). Good luck.

  • Pass it on... 8:06 am on January 31, 2010

    No. You should have renter’s insurance to cover your own personal property. If you don’t….even if the place burned to the ground, your personal property wouldn’t be covered. The homeowner’s insurance only covers the owner’s (landlord’s) property.

  • finfan43 8:06 am on January 31, 2010

    There has to be negligence on the homeowners part for it to be covered by the homeowners under their liability coverage. If there is no negligence on the homeowner…then your renters policy will cover it as long as it is a peril that is covered by your renters policy like fire, lightning, theft wind damage etc. In this case it was lighting. No neglagence on the homeowner….an "act of God"( just figure of speech). Your renters would cover it.

  • Dan B 8:06 am on January 31, 2010

    With a tough lawyer, you may be held accountable because the house is not grounded. This is an electrical code violation that may have prevented damage to your tenant’s property. Are you SURE your house is not grounded? They usually run a copper wire to the cold water pipe to get an earth ground.

    But, during a storm, if a higher power line on a utility pole comes in contact with a lower power line say on a utility pole, you could get a high voltage surge and destroy your equipment. In that case, it’s an act of God that even if you house was grounded, it would be a mute point.

    Higher the voltage, the higher the line is off the ground, and also higher up on the utility pole.

  • car253 8:06 am on January 31, 2010

    Tlhis is why you should require your tenants to have renters insurance and that they provide you proof of it before they are allowed to move in.

    Call your insurance agent and put in the claim anyways as just an "Inquiry" so your claims discount is not lost.

    Good Luck.

  • mbrcatz 8:06 am on January 31, 2010

    No.

    The standard homeowners policy specifically excludes coverage for renters’ property.

    If the renter wants coverage, they have to buy a renters policy.

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