A $15 million home in the Hamptons faced an unexpected challenge when its fire sprinkler system, originally installed to enhance safety, became a roadblock to securing insurance coverage. The home featured a multipurpose fire sprinkler system, which combines domestic water lines with the fire sprinkler system—an approach designed to reduce costs, but one that made it impossible to meet standard insurance requirements.
For most carriers, this system posed a problem: traditional fire sprinkler waterflow alarms couldn’t differentiate between regular water use and an actual fire event for a multipurpose fire sprinkler system. Additionally, regulations prohibited the installation of a whole-house automatic water shutoff device since it could inadvertently disable the fire suppression system. With insurance renewal on the line and limited viable solutions, the homeowner faced a difficult path forward.
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Innovative Risk Mitigation in Action
Enter Anne Martin, a specialist in water damage mitigation with Vault’s Risk Services team. Drawing on her extensive experience, Anne immediately recognized the issue and took action. She worked closely with the home’s builder, plumber, and risk mitigation partners to engineer a custom solution that satisfied both fire safety and insurance requirements.
The solution involved two key innovations:
- A high-pressure, multipurpose fire-sprinkler-specific water flow alarm: Unlike standard fire sprinkler waterflow alarms, this device could detect water flow only when a sprinkler head deployed, avoiding false alarms from regular water use.
- A customized water monitoring system: Vault collaborated with Leak Defense, a risk mitigation partner, to develop a one-of-a-kind alert system. Instead of shutting off water, this system provided real-time notifications if water usage exceeded expected levels—ensuring immediate response without interfering with the sprinkler system’s operation.
By facilitating a collaborative approach and leveraging expertise in water loss prevention, Vault successfully preserved the home’s insurability. More importantly, the homeowner gained peace of mind knowing their property was not only insured but also better protected against potential water damage risks.
This case underscores Vault’s proactive risk management philosophy, proving that true protection goes beyond writing policies—it’s about finding innovative solutions that safeguard what matters most.
Read how one homeowner could’ve prevented over $110k in damage with a simple $8 fix.
Looking Beyond the Policy
At Vault, we don’t just write insurance policies—we solve problems before they become claims. Our Risk Services team collaborates with builders, specialists, and homeowners to engineer smart solutions that preserve insurability and elevate property protection.
If you’re facing a complex coverage challenge or want to strengthen your home’s defenses, our experts are here to help.
Connect with Vault today to explore customized coverage and proactive risk mitigation strategies tailored to your home.
Call your agent or reach out to Vault directly to request a quote.
Related Products: Homeowners Insurance
Featured Resource:
Water Damage Prevention
Don't wait until it's too late. Protect your property from expensive water damage repairs and keep it safe and dry.
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