Michigan Man: Insurer Won’t Pay After Neighbor’s Home Explodes
A Michigan man says he’s been left with more than $68,000 in damage after his neighbor’s house exploded and now his insurance company refuses to pay. He says he feels abandoned, stuck footing the bill for a disaster that wasn’t his fault.
David Fauls was playing with his kids in his basement when he heard a loud boom. He soon discovered that his neighbor's home had exploded, leaving little more than a pile of rubble.
Michigan House Explosion Kills Four, Injures Two Others
Fauls’ neighbor, Richard Pruden, and his grandson were injured in the blast, but Pruden’s daughter, her husband, and two other children were killed. Officials later ruled the Northfield Township incident an “undetermined fuel-air explosion,” according to Detroit’s WXYZ-TV.
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In the aftermath of that December 2023 incident, Fauls began to assess the damage to his home.
“Every single day we just found something else and we just kept seeing more and more.”
Home Sustains Damage to Windows, Foundation + More
Fauls has noted cracks in his foundation, split moldings, and damage to at least 10 windows. In all, the damages amount to more than $68,000.
His insurance company, American Automobile Association (AAA), agreed to pay $20,223 for cracked paint and drywall only.
🏚️ Estimated Damage Breakdown
- Foundation repairs: $23,745
- Window replacement: $44,256
- Total claimed damages: $68,001
- Despite the explosion, Fauls says AAA never sent a claims adjuster to his home. A third-party engineer blamed the damage on the house’s age — a conclusion Fauls strongly disputes.
“When a concussive force rocked this house and I watched that, and now there���s discoloring and you can’t see out these windows,” he says. “I’m like, ‘OK, this is craziness. This is not just unprofessional, it’s absurd.’”
Insurance Company Refues to Pay for Damages
AAA brought in an independent, licensed engineering firm to evaluate the situation and determined that the damage to Fauls' home is not related to the explosion.
Fauls has since filed a complaint with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Fauls was one of 62 AAA customers who filed complaints against the insurance company in 2024.
📝 How to Protect Yourself Before Filing a Claim
Yahoo News suggests taking the following steps to avoid being caught off guard in the event of unexpected home damage:
- Carefully review your insurance policy to understand what is and isn’t covered.
- Sign up for coverage that matches your actual needs.
- Take detailed photos of your home and property when you move in.
- Keep a copy of your inspection report in a safe, accessible place.
- Photograph any damage you discover so you can distinguish it from pre-existing conditions.
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