14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-Bill aims to give more insurance to some KY homeowners
By Cory Stark - bio | email | Twitter
Posted by Sarah Harlan - email
HOPKINS CO., KY (WFIE) - Hundreds of homes in Hopkins County are built on top of old coal mines.
To protect those homeowners, Kentucky state senators have passed a bill increasing the insurance coverage available for mine subsidence damage.
House bill 268 proposes an increase from $100,000 to $300,000 available to homeowners who fall victim of mine subsidence.
One homeowner whose home began to cave in last year said the extra coverage would help.
Last August, Hopkins County resident Jerry Niswonger showed 14 News his sinking home.
Now, seven months later there are more problems.
"We have another water leak, where the water line has pulled in two, meaning it's still moving," Niswonger said.
This week, construction crews started gutting the inside of the home.
Niswonger said his home is no longer liveable and will be torn down.
"I wouldn't wish this on an enemy," Niswonger said. "I mean, what we have dealt with mentally and physically."
Currently, the Kentucky mine subsidence insurance fund allows a maximum payout of $100,000 to victims of mine subsidence.
Niswonger said he was approved to receive the maximum, but it wasn't enough.
"We have had instances where homes have been of valued well over $100,000, so there was inadequate coverage," Senator Jerry Rhoads said.
Not only would the bill increase insurance coverage from $100,000 to $300,000, it would also give homeowners a $25,000 living expense allowance.
"That money would have allowed us to stay out of the home and we could have invested in something," Niswonger said.
"Temporary housing or stay in a hotel for a while, there was no provision in the current law for any housing allowance or displacement allowance," Rhoads said.
Niswonger said the extra coverage would be great, but it wouldn't erase all worries.
"There is still that one little thing in the back of your mind, 'is it going to be safe?' Niswonger said.
Senator Rhoads said the bill will now move on to the House.
He said he is confident the bill will pass.
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