The Bochenczaks, like most families who operate resorts on Lake Delton, have a "loss of income" or similar rider provision as part of their insurance policies. So if, for instance, a tornado damages their resort or lightning strikes a condo unit on their property and burns it down, they will be reimbursed for the revenue that is lost due to the fact that people won't be able to stay at their place.

But what if a lake -- your "stock and trade" -- drains and most of your renters start canceling reservations?

Will insurance cover that?

"One of the first people to call after the lake drained was my insurance company to tell me, 'This was a flood, you don't have flood insurance, so we're not going to pay,' " said Walter Bochenczak, who is insured by Wilson Mutual, which has a home office in Sheboygan. "But the lake emptied, there was no flood. We had no flood damage."

Linda Allessi, who owns and operates the Sandrift Resort: The Peach on the Beach, on the west side of Lake Delton, is hearing that same line from Wilson Mutual.

"They told me, 'Well, you didn't insure the lake,' " said Allessi, who had three phone calls to cancel summer reservations during a 15-minute interview. "But we're the Peach on the Beach, that lake is our livelihood. Anybody can stay at a water park if they want to. People come here because it's a great place for a family on the water."

Allessi, who fought back tears, said she hopes to decide soon whether or not to stay open for the few who still want to stay at her resort. She is considering simply closing down for part of the summer or until next year. She plans to take out a loan to pay back the thousands of dollars she is returning to people who put down deposits to stay at the Sandrift.

"I've been paying my insurance for 18 years and never had a claim," said Allessi. "If they'd come through for us, it would make things a little bit easier." more....