Insurer Won’t Cover Damage From Oregon City Pipe Bursting

An insurance company that represents most cities in Oregon has refused to cover the claims of Bend residents whose houses were damaged when a city water line burst.

The Bend Bulletin reports that the force of the pipe bursting was enough to rip shingles from one man’s roof and launch chunks of asphalt into his garage.

The insurance company, CityCounty Insurance Service, says the city is not liable for the Oct. 28 incident because there was no evidence of city negligence in maintaining the pipe.

A contractor working for Bend resident Nick Thompson says his house suffered about $60,000 in damage.

City officials in Bend have said they will work with residents to fix the damage or help pay for it.

The city spends about $800,000 a year for its coverage through CityCounty.