Another insurance agent here. This is a tricky one. If it's normal wear and tear then it definately isn't covered. But if an abnormal fire flared up caused it then it definately is covered. Fire is a covered peril, yet we're talking about a fireplace here. It's kind of like a roof. If normal weather wore down your roof over a period of several years then no coverage. But if a large hail storm comes through and damages your roof you get a new roof. And you don't even have to pinpoint a time when the storm came in and did it, if you can see spots where hair dented in or otherwise damaged your roof years from when it happened it's still covered. My suggestion: file a claim. Tell them a fire flared up and cracked and bowed it. Your agent probably sees hundreds of claims a year so when you call in while this is a huge issue that directly affects a big portion of your life, for him it's just another of a dozen people who called in filing claims that week. Also, a portion of his pay is probably affected by how much they lost in claims from his customers that year, if so he has incentive to talk you out of filing a claim. You must also be aware of the negative aspects of filing a claim of this nature: that your deductible will apply, your rate will probably go up a little, switching companies will be a problem if you ever want to do so in the near future (no company wants to take somebody who's filed a big claim recently), and if you file too many claims in a certain period of times your company can non-renew you at your next renewal (depending on state law). But this is a lot more money to fix your fireplace we're talking here so I say file it and see what happens.

The builder asked the hvac people...they are the ones who supposedly didn't give a clear answer on raising it up. I am in disbelief that they just ignored my request. The sump pump in the pit is for construction phase only. A new unit with battery backup is to be installed later. I spoke with my insurance company....sump pump failure is not covered...but I can add it for 80 bucks. They also said that battery backup is required for the coverage to be valid. I have also read that with these policies...do not expect coverage if you pump is in poor condition or is clogged due to your own negligence. It's my opinion at least if I find the pump is not working and I alert the builder...they now have responsibility. If the pump isn't working before a large rain...you surely can't expect insurance to pay for damage to equipment in the basement. My contract says that the builder is to be in control of the home while it is built...but I am to maintain builders risk insurance. They believe that this policy would pay for stuff like this...but it seems to me that there is a duty of care they must have first. If they are.negligent while in control of my house....I do not see why my insurance should pay,. This is different than a tornado...or storm..etc.. Does this line of thinking sound reasonable?

Old English Scratch Cover is pretty good stuff. Works great if the wood you're polishing is reasonably close to one of the two shades (light and dark) they offer. Been using it for close to 5 decades now. More recently I discovered Howard Restore-A-Finish, which comes in NINE wood shades. I like it even better. The RAF can is twice the size of the Old English bottle, but less than double the price at the hardware store up the road from here. So I guess it's a better deal. However, one bottle of Old English usually lasts me 10-15 years, so I'm not sure that matters much.

And just in case someone want to know how this is done for example... here: Damage in the family room .. wet half wall, connecting soffit , ceiling, exterior wall, and the water leaked into a fireplace and on other room side another part of ceiling, tornado damaged door, baseboards: The adjuster pays: R13 in the attic instead of R38, pays for a bogus 2" paint grade baseboards $1.40lf, exterior wall drywall, install carpet - lowest grade, OSB 4'x4'; re-nail interior door (as exterior door fix) What the adjuster did not pay: R38 insulation, 20'x14' ceilings, 3"-1/4 baseboards clear maple stain grade - $3.50/lf, stain the baseboards, new trim around the window and staining, the insulation behind the wet exterior drywall, paint the drywall [what bag pays for unpainted walls], remove/install/replace drapes next to the windows, half wall + soffit drywall and paint, repairs to the flooded fireplace, the carper removal [not just install], 20'x14' subfloors, and remove and replace exterior door + paint the exterior door + trim. Is that 20 cents on the dollar or 10 cents on the dollar? Best insurance - LibertyMutual.