An 81-year-old woman in Markham, Illinois, says she has been unable to return home for six months after a burst pipe damaged her property, while a disputed insurance claim has left her facing a restoration bill of nearly $18,000. ([fox32chicago.com](https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/markham-woman-says-insurance-denied-claim-leaving-her-displaced-and-facing-nearly-18k-lien))
Brenda Daurham says she had paid for homeowners insurance with Allstate for more than 40 years and believed the policy would cover the emergency work needed after the damage.
Instead, she says, the claim was rejected and Excel Fire and Water Damage Restoration Services recorded a mechanic’s lien against her home for $17,827.96, plus possible interest, legal fees and other costs. ([fox32chicago.com](https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/markham-woman-says-insurance-denied-claim-leaving-her-displaced-and-facing-nearly-18k-lien))
Dispute over sudden plumbing failure
Daurham says the problem began on February 14, when a pipe beneath her kitchen sink failed and water spread through the kitchen and other parts of the house. The fire service attended before Excel carried out mitigation work.
She says she contacted Allstate before the clean-up began and was told the damage would be covered.
“The pipe underneath the cabinet…the fire department came out and then I called the insurance company and they said everything was covered. I didn’t have to worry about a thing,” Daurham said.
However, documents reviewed by FOX 32 Chicago show that Allstate later denied the claim, citing exclusions relating to wear and tear, deterioration and seepage. Daurham disputes the insurer’s assessment. ([fox32chicago.com](https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/markham-woman-says-insurance-denied-claim-leaving-her-displaced-and-facing-nearly-18k-lien))
Excel has also challenged the decision, saying its observations were consistent with a “sudden and accidental plumbing failure”. The company said the damage was reported promptly and that mitigation began the following day.
In correspondence seeking reconsideration, Excel referred to policy wording covering direct physical damage caused by the “sudden and accidental escape of water” from a plumbing system. It asked Allstate to explain the evidence supporting its view that the damage had resulted from long-term seepage rather than a sudden failure. ([fox32chicago.com](https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/markham-woman-says-insurance-denied-claim-leaving-her-displaced-and-facing-nearly-18k-lien))
Restoration bill leads to lien
Excel says it completed more than $17,000 of work at the property but has not been paid. The lien was recorded with the Cook County Clerk on August 20, according to documents reviewed by FOX 32 Chicago. ([fox32chicago.com](https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/markham-woman-says-insurance-denied-claim-leaving-her-displaced-and-facing-nearly-18k-lien))
Daurham says she cannot afford to settle the bill herself.
Asked whether she could pay the roughly $18,000 demanded, she replied: “By no means.”
The dispute has left her caught between an insurer that says the loss falls outside the policy and a restoration company seeking payment for work it says it carried out.
Daurham says she remains unable to live in the house and has been overwhelmed by the situation.
“I have nothing, nothing at all, so I just want somebody to help me,” she said. “I had to go to the emergency room Monday because I was breaking down. I was so nervous I didn’t know what to do.”
She later described the experience as “horrible” and “devastating”, saying she felt she was having a breakdown.
FOX 32 Chicago said it had asked Allstate to explain the basis for rejecting the claim and to respond to Daurham’s account that she was initially told the damage would be covered. The broadcaster also contacted Excel about the lien and whether it would consider removing or suspending it while the insurance dispute continues. ([fox32chicago.com](https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/markham-woman-says-insurance-denied-claim-leaving-her-displaced-and-facing-nearly-18k-lien))
