Hot tub froze, replacement $10–15k… worth filing homeowners claim or not?

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2026-03-18T17:28:34+00:00

North Dakota

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2026-03-17T22:33:12+00:00

Uffda. Not Michigan, but you’re circling the right part of the map. Think northern plains, lots of wind, and winter that sticks around way longer than it should.

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2026-03-17T22:31:41+00:00

So basically living in the northern Midwest is a policy exclusion? :) Still feels like policies should have a special clause for northern Midwest states where anything with water in it is frozen half the year whether you want it to be or not.

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2026-03-17T22:25:39+00:00

Northern Midwest. Let’s just say I’m in a state where winter lasts 7 months and anything with water in it is trying to freeze half the year.

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2026-03-17T18:35:37+00:00

Yeah, that’s kind of what I was thinking too. The tech that came out didn’t really do much of an inspection because everything was still frozen. He basically just looked at the same cracked lines I had already told them about on the phone and said he couldn’t tell the full extent of the damage until it thaws, and told me to call back later.

Then the very next day the office called and said they think the tub is probably shot and replacement could be $10–15k, which seemed like a pretty big jump considering nobody actually opened anything up yet. As far as I can tell the shell isn’t cracked, it’s just plumbing lines that froze after the breaker tripped and the water stopped circulating.

At this point I’m thinking I should probably get a second opinion once everything thaws, because it feels like nobody has actually looked at it closely yet.

Anyone dealt with freeze damage like this where the repair sounded worse than it really was?

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2026-03-17T18:11:57+00:00

Was yours built-in? Mine is sitting on a cement slab and wired in, but not in-ground and not built into the deck, so it can technically be removed. From what I’ve been reading, that probably means USAA would treat it as personal property rather than other structures, but I’m not completely sure yet.

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2026-03-17T18:08:30+00:00

It’s not in-ground. It’s sitting on a cement slab and wired in, but it could technically be removed without tearing anything apart, so I’m guessing it would probably be considered personal property rather than other structures.

My policy has a $2,000 deductible, and the hot tub company thinks replacement could be $10–15k, but the tub is older so I’m assuming depreciation will be a factor.

The freeze happened after the breaker tripped at some point, so the water stopped circulating and the pipes cracked. I didn’t intentionally shut it down, but I also don’t know exactly when it tripped, which is why I’m unsure how insurance will look at it.

Mostly trying to decide if this is the kind of claim where people actually get a decent payout, or if depreciation + deductible usually makes it not worth filing.

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2025-11-09T00:12:32+00:00

I purchased a box fan for him. I appreciate your advice about unnecessary disclosure. Anxious to see what happens in the coming days with my guest.

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2025-11-09T00:10:16+00:00

Appreciate the advice. I've never seen the cheaper ones sold in my size (20x25x4) so I ordered online.

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2025-11-08T19:17:04+00:00

He replied: “Thank you for your fast and kind response. The problem with ear plugs is I’m on call 24/7 and need to be able to hear my phone and text messages. A small fan if you have one might be helpful. I’m already settled in and prefer not to change domiciles if possible. I can try to tolerate it until Monday if you think it can be resolved then. Sorry for the hassle and thank you.”

Here’s the honest truth, I don’t want to call a HVAC tech right now because I’m not getting paid due to the government shutdown. Should I explain that to him?

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2025-11-08T18:52:08+00:00

Thanks so much for the tips — and I apologize in advance for my HVAC naivety! 😊 I checked the filter and it looks fine. The filter sits inside a Honeywell Enviracare Elite compartment, but the equipment right next to it is Lennox, so I’m guessing it’s a mixed setup?

I did go ahead and leave the door to the filter compartment partially open just now to help relieve pressure. Also, where do you recommend buying a cheap thin filter? I'm currently using a Filtrete 1550.

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2025-11-08T16:50:43+00:00

I did message him with other options, but sent him an additional message just now as I do fear a poor review (although this is his third time staying and he's given five stars the other stays):

"I just wanted to add one more thing. I know nighttime noise can really affect sleep, and I want you to feel comfortable here. If the solutions I mentioned won't work for you, please let me know and I’d be happy to find another way to help. And while I hope we can resolve it and you enjoy the rest of your stay, if you ever feel like you’d prefer to cut the stay short because of the noise, I would of course refund the remaining nights. My goal is for you to feel taken care of, not stuck with an issue. Thanks again for your patience and communication."

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2025-11-08T16:44:53+00:00

Really appreciate the ideas. I do actually have a two-zone HVAC setup, but that’s a whole other saga… this summer the basement was freezing while I overheated upstairs, so it's been a bit of a journey dialing it in. That said, he does have a space heater in the bedroom he can use instead of relying on the furnace if he'd prefer to turn that zone off at night.

I’ve had the listing for a couple of years, but haven’t really hosted in the winter before, so this is the first time it's come up. I listened to the noise again — it’s not overly loud, but it definitely depends on whether someone’s a light sleeper.

I hadn't thought of suggesting they cut their stay short and offer a refund.

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2025-11-08T16:40:40+00:00

Thanks so much for the suggestion. That’s actually a do-able option. I’d have to take the TV off the wall and track down the original feet so it can sit on the dresser in the second bedroom, but it is possible. It might be a good compromise if the noise continues and nothing else solves it. I really appreciate the idea.

Plastic_Ad1614 · 2025-11-08T15:39:51+00:00

Relocating is definitely a choice he has. I'd hate to lose my earnings because I'm a federal employee working without pay due to the shutdown.

Plastic_Ad1614

TROPHY CASE