Long Island homeowner Danielle Tammone fell into an 8-foot backyard sinkhole and was rescued within minutes after neighbors called 911. She is recovering from whiplash and muscle pain; experts say standard homeowners policies often exclude damage from ground collapse.
That damage may not be covered unless the owner has a sinkhole or earth-movement endorsement. Some insurers offer these add-ons, and a few states require them to be offered. Policies may also exclude damage tied to old wells or cesspools the owner did not know about. Liability coverage may protect an injured guest, but not the homeowner’s own injuries.
Attorney Jennifer Taylor said responsibility could extend beyond the property owner if a known issue was not properly disclosed during the sale; she advised consulting a lawyer. After a collapse, she recommends keeping people away, calling emergency services if someone is injured or in immediate danger, and contacting the insurer before filling the hole or making repairs so it can arrange an inspection.
