I heard the crash from the second floor. It sounded like a gunshot followed by a waterfall. I ran down to find the redwood shelving unit had sheared off the wall, sending 50 bottles of Napa Cabernet onto the tile floor. A sea of purple glass and liquid. When the adjuster arrived, the first thing he looked at wasn’t the wine—it was the screws in the wall.
Key Takeaways
- Negligence is the Enemy: If you installed the shelves yourself and didn’t hit the studs, the insurer can deny the claim due to “improper installation” or “negligence.”
- Earthquake is Separate: If the shelf fell because the ground shook, a standard policy pays $0. You need a specific Earthquake policy (CEA in California) or a “Difference in Conditions” policy.
- The “Blanket” Trap: If you have blanket coverage, you get paid the average value. If the 50 bottles that broke were your best ones, you lose out unless they were “Scheduled.”
- Clean Up Caution: Taking photos is good; keeping the broken necks (with the foils) is better.
The “Why” (The Trap)
There are two traps here: “Improper Workmanship” and “Earth Movement.”
Insurers love to blame the contractor (or you). If the shelf failed because the wood rotted or the anchors were too small, they classify it as a maintenance issue. You must prove the collapse was accidental and sudden, not the result of years of overloading a weak shelf.
The Investigation (I Called Them)
I compared how three carriers handle “Accidental Breakage.”
Chubb
- The “Breakage” Clause: Chubb is famous for its broad breakage coverage.
- My Analysis: They generally presume coverage unless there is gross negligence. If you bump a shelf and it falls, they pay. They also pay “Current Market Value.”
Travelers
- The Limitation: Travelers has good coverage but often imposes a deductible for breakage claims.
- My Analysis: They will investigate the installation. If it was DIY, expect scrutiny.
State Farm
- The Exclusion: Standard policies often exclude breakage of fragile items (glass, porcelain, statuary) unless you have the “Personal Articles Floater.”
- My Analysis: Without the specific rider, breakage is often not a covered peril on a standard HO-3 policy.
Comparison Table
| Scenario | Standard HO-3 Policy | Scheduled Personal Property (Floater) | High-Net-Worth Policy (Chubb/Pure) |
| I knocked it over | Denied (Usually) | Covered | Covered |
| Shelf collapsed (DIY) | Denied (Improper Install) | Investigated | Investigated (Better odds) |
| Earthquake | Denied | Denied (Need EQ Policy) | Denied (Need EQ Policy) |
| Deductible | Yes ($1,000+) | Usually $0 | Usually $0 |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Secure the Scene (Don’t Mop Yet): Take a video of the carnage. Zoom in on the wall anchors to show they sheared (accidental) rather than pulled out slowly (maintenance).
- [IMAGE: Close up photo of a sheared metal wall anchor remaining in the drywall]
- Save the “Capsules”: You don’t need to keep 50 liters of spilled wine, but you must keep the bottleneck with the foil and cork for every broken bottle. This is your proof of identity.
- Check for “Mysterious Disappearance”: If any bottles are missing (e.g., you thought you had 50, but only find glass for 48), standard policies might fight you. Stick to the physical evidence.
- Get a Contractor Statement: Hire a handyman to write a quick report stating the failure was “sudden structural failure,” not “rot” or “wear and tear.”
FAQ
Does my Earthquake policy cover the wine?
Only if you increased your “Personal Property” limit on the earthquake policy. Standard EQ policies have high deductibles (10-15% of the home value). Unless the wine loss is massive, EQ insurance might not kick in.
What if only one bottle broke?
If it’s under your deductible, don’t file. Filing a small claim puts a “loss” on your CLUE report, raising your premiums for 5 years.
Can I claim the cleaning costs?
Yes. Wine stains grout and drywall. Include the cost of professional remediation in your claim.