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njain · Oct 13, 2009, 03:47 PM

We are remodeling our house in San jose, CA and we moved out about 4 months back. The project is about to complete in 2 weeks.

Last weekend we had burglary in our house where the dishwasher, kitchen faucet, filter, speakers, etc were stolen from the property. All these items were yet to be installed.

Whose insurance should cover this loss?

I believe that this loss of building material should be covered by contractor's insurance after all he was working on the project and he has not yet handed it over to us.

JudyKayTee · Oct 13, 2009, 03:51 PM

Who had paid for and owned the property that was stolen?

phlanx · Oct 13, 2009, 03:53 PM

Evening njain

You will have to look at the contract between yourselves and the contractor

There should be a section in their that's states what you are repsonsible for and what he is repsonsible for

JudyKayTee · Oct 13, 2009, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by phlanx

Evening njain

You will have to look at the contract between yourselves and the contractor

There should be a section in their thats states what you are repsonsible for and what he is repsonsible for

I'm a liability investigator. I know what I'm talking about. I do investigations along these lines. I have no idea what your expertise in this and other matters is.

You are wrong in this situation. Maybe that's the case in the UK. It's not in the US.

nikosmom · Oct 13, 2009, 05:29 PM

I'm assuming you're the owner of the property that was stolen since you said you're remodeling your home? That being the case, your insurance should cover it.

This is not really loss of "building material". Building material is more like lumber, tiles, hardwood planks for floor, etc. If you were doing an addition to your home, then it would've been a good idea to take out what's called a Builder's Risk policy. This gives protection while you own a home that is still under construction.

Usually the contractor's policy covers his materials and gives him liability coverage. Your state may be slightly different but check with your local agent to see exactly what your homeowner's policy will cover. Keep in mind that it'd be subject to your deductible.

phlanx · Oct 14, 2009, 02:42 AM

Judy, surely a contract between two parties is the first port of call when delaing with such matters?

Or is just a question that any contract in the US is not worth a damn?

JudyKayTee · Oct 14, 2009, 05:39 AM

I have NEVER seen a contract which addresses materials stolen from a job site.

As far as the definitive answer - Nikosmom works in insurance, REALLY knows her stuff.

I will add - I'm remodeling a home I own. I pay my contractor to buy a stove and dishwasher. They belong to me. The contractor doesn't install them, they are in the garage awaiting installation and they are stolen.

My homeowners insurance pays.

L

Rover88 · Nov 5, 2009, 07:27 AM

First, my authority: Early in my career I was an insurance broker and specialty lines property/casualty underwriter. Last number of years has been spent as a contractor.

We frequently have projects where we are responsible (by contract) for the security of building-owner purchased/owned materials stored on the job site until installed. When these cases arise, I have my insurance agent issue an "Installation Floater." This is an inland-marine form of policy (I get mine as all-risk rather than named-peril) that covers my liability for the safety/security of owner's materials until such time that they form a part of the building OR until owner takes actual possession of the premises from the GC and provides building security. Note that this answer is based on Pennsylvania insurance material, your state may vary.