WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) has called on Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine to help homeowners protect themselves from dangerous sinkholes by making them aware of insurance coverage that could cover the cost of damage.
In a letter to Consedine, Casey asked that all new homeowners be made aware that sinkhole insurance is not part of a standard homeowner's benefit in Pennsylvania and that they be given information on how to purchase that insurance.
Even though concentrations of limestone bedrock across South-Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania make residents susceptible to sinkholes, insurance coverage for sinkholes is not part of a standard homeowner's insurance benefit package. Residents across the state are often unaware that they lack sinkhole insurance until damage has already occurred, according to a press release from the senator's office.
"Across Pennsylvania, families have been devastated by sinkholes that have destroyed homes and livelihoods. Unfortunately, many Pennsylvanians don't find out they lack insurance coverage until it's too late," Casey said in the press release. "The Pennsylvania Insurance Department should make sure new homeowners are aware that their standard coverage doesn't include sinkhole insurance and that there's a way to get that insurance if they would like to."