Are rotting joists covered by home ins?

[Crazycatperson]

There was a massive gap between my shower tray and tiles and despite it being sealed on a number of occasions water leaked through to my kitchen on a few occasions. Today a plumber came to replace the shower tray with a deeper tray to finally solve the issue, however when he removed the existing tray half the floor came up with it. The joists are rotted underneath too. I'm now waiting for a builder to come out and quote for the damage. (I don't know if the joists run into the bedroom or stop at the wall - worried the problem may extend to son's bedroom). The water damage has been caused over a significant period of time and I wonder whether this is something I can claim for? Any advice greatly appreciated x

[ElderAve]

You'll have to ask but I'd say yes. The leak isn't covered but damage caused by a leak is.

[Crazycatperson]

Thanks, I will check. Keep reading that if water damage has caused by say a burst pipe, it is covered by insurance, but if the damage has been caused over time, they put it down to poor maintenance and they won't pay out?! It's a minefield.

[SD1978]

Mine wasn't. The insurance company states that as the shower hadn't been kept in good repair, and the leak had been known about, it was reasonable to assume that there would be damage and so they wouldn't cover it. Only person who can answer would be your own insurance company

[johnd2]

No it wouldn't be because it's gradually operating caused.
If the joists rotted as yours are, and then the whole bathroom dropped into the room below, all the consequential damages would be covered but the joists themselves would not be.
This is where you can get a strange situation where a pipe explodes and they repair the whole house but you have to pay for the pipe.

[Crazycatperson]

Hmmm okay thank you. The insurance company have said they'll send out a surveyor and that I'd have to pay the excess, but I'm guessing this is standard practice and that they won't confirm until the surveyor has been.

[johnd2]

Yes you always have to pay the excess, and the surveyor will be able to report back on what the various causes were so the company can work out what if anything is covered. They can't really say anything useful until that has happened.

[WinkysTeatowel]

Unlikely, rot occurs over time not from one incident.

[delilahbucket]

Highly unlikely you will be covered for this. Do you not have your policy booklet so you can check, or look on your insurers website?