Couple sues State Farm over flooded boat

An Illinois couple claims their insurance company refuses to pay them for damages caused to their boat after rainwater flooded it.

Kenneth and Susan Kitson filed a lawsuit April 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against State Farm Fire and Casualty Company.

In their complaint, the Kitsons say their boat, which they stored in Florida, collected rainwater for months after they had winterized it in November 2009. It was not until the Kitsons returned to their summer home in April 2010 that they learned of the flood and subsequent damages to their boat, according to the complaint.

The Kitsons claim they are not responsible for the damages of their boat.

"Said boat was winterized, a bilge plug was removed, which allowed any exterior water/rainwater that would come into the boat to drain out of the boat," the suit states. "On April 26, 2010, the plaintiffs discovered that the boat was full of water and the plug had been replaced, preventing the rainwater from draining out of the boat."

At the time of the flood, the Kitsons had insurance through State Farm. They immediately reported the loss to their insurance company, but State Farm issued a denial letter to them on Sept. 15, the complaint says.

In their complaint, the Kitsons seek a judgment for more than $20,000, plus attorney's fees.

Bernard J. Ysursa of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer and Shevlin will be representing them.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-187.