TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022
The image of a giant hole opening up as the ground collapses is alarming, but sinkholes are an unfortunate reality for many property owners. Sinkholes form slowly in areas with no natural external surface drainage. They may be only a few feet wide or span hundreds of acres. They may be shallow or have vertical walls and hold water.
A collapse due to a sinkhole can cause catastrophic damage to buildings, land and infrastructure. Fortunately, certain types of insurance may help pay for damages to your buildings if a sinkhole collapse causes damage to your property.
The Dorsey & Associates Insurance agents in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, can help you evaluate your options for sinkhole and catastrophic ground cover collapse coverage. Contact us today to learn more about your options and to get a quote.
Do Sinkholes Cause Property Damage in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania is among the seven states in the United States most likely to suffer from damage due to sinkholes. Certain parts of Pennsylvania may be more prone to sinkholes, depending on the property’s proximity to one of the state’s bands of limestone rock.
How to Prevent Sinkholes
Any property that sits on top of limestone may also form sinkholes. Groundwater or rainwater may find its way into the rock, jeopardizing its integrity and causing erosion. If your property suffered from sinkhole damage in the past, additional areas might collapse in the future.
While sinkholes aren’t typically anyone’s fault, there are a few things you can do to prevent sinkholes from forming on your property. These include:
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Watering sparingly if droughts are an issue where you live.
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Watching for warning signs, such as cracks in structures, the sudden death of vegetation, windows or doors that suddenly won’t close properly and leaning fences.
What Insurance Coverage Can I Get for Sinkholes in Pennsylvania?
Sinkhole coverage provides comprehensive coverage for ground cover collapse. If your property suffers foundation cracks or other damage as the ground shifts, you may need to make repairs. Sinkhole coverage helps pay the costs of fixing sinkhole damage.
The catastrophic ground cover collapse also provides coverage for some types of sinkhole damage, but the building must be condemned and vacated before you can get coverage. For this reason, many Pennsylvania property owners prefer sinkhole coverage.
Both sinkhole coverage and catastrophic ground cover collapse provide coverage for only your walled and roofed structures. These policies do not cover cracked sidewalks, swimming pools, driveways, roads, streets, parking lots or damaged patio decks or open land.
How to Get Insurance for Sinkhole Damage
Without sinkhole coverage, you may have to pay for damages caused by ground collapse on your own. Talk with the agents at Dorsey & Associates today to learn more about how to insure your property against sinkhole damage and to get a quote.
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