Found out my homeowners insurance dropped me over a non-existent trampoline

I got a certified letter from State Farm last Tuesday saying my policy was being cancelled. Turns out an aerial photo from Google Maps showed what looked like a trampoline in my backyard. It was actually a circular metal fire pit ring I had sitting on the grass. I spent three phone calls and two weeks sending them close-up photos to prove it wasn't a trampoline. Has anyone else been dinged by satellite imagery for something that wasn't even there?

2 comments

2 Comments

ruby29016h ago

Oh man, the "aerial photo of a trampoline" thing got me too. I had a very similar mess with Allstate last year over what they thought was a pool in my backyard. It was actually a blue tarp I had spread out to kill some weeds. I had to send them four different angles and even a video walking around it before they believed me. The whole thing was ridiculous, like they're trying to find any excuse to drop people now.

tessa_hill8615h ago

Wait, isn't it kind of on you for leaving a round metal fire pit in the middle of your yard during summer when kids are out of school? From an aerial photo it totally looks like the classic shape of a trampoline, and insurance companies can't afford to guess on safety stuff like that. My cousin is an adjuster and he told me they get flagged on these satellite scans because too many people hide actual trampolines and then file claims after kids get hurt. I mean, you proved it wasn't one in the end, but can you blame them for being cautious when that one blurry image could cost them thousands?