Montana Homeowners May Get Stuck With Water Damage Bills

Some people whose property flooded when a Bozeman, Mont., water main broke could be stuck footing most of the bill.

The city’s insurer won’t cover the damage from the July 31 break and residents without flood insurance say their policies won’t, either.

The city’s separate “goodwill” insurance policy may pay up to $2,000 to property owners, but some say their repairs will cost much more.

David Perlstein estimated an apartment building he owns suffered at least $8,000 in damage, while Steve and Sheri Juroszek say the flooding caused $10,000 in damage to their house. They are eligible for $1,000 from the city’s “goodwill” policy.

The city’s insurer, Montana Municipal Inter-local Authority, said the city wasn’t at fault in the water main break because there was no breach of ordinary care.