• FreeAdvice has a new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective May 25, 2018.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our Terms of Service and use of cookies.

Afloat

Accident - Bankruptcy - Criminal Law / DUI - Business - Consumer - Employment - Family - Immigration - Real Estate - Tax - Traffic - Wills   Please click a topic or scroll down for more.

Afloat

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Wisconsin
We reside in a mobile home and have the same insurance carrier for 5 years with no claims. A claim was filed 5 days ago with our carrier for severe water damage. 7 days ago, a damp spot was notice in the carpet. Thinking it was an ill pet, we cleaned the spot and saw a vet who confirmed there was no illness present. The following day the carpeting was damp (not soaking) again. We took the pet to a 2nd vet who again stated there was no illness. At that point, we purchased a wetvac to extract any fluids to protect damage to the carpet. The 3rd day, we arrived home to discover our bedrooms and bath were completely flooded; water pouring on the floor and from the ceiling. A claim was filed that day. We have had 3 contractors and 2 appraiser from the insurance agency inspect the damage. The insurance carrier is blatantly trying to find any loophope to escape from paying claim. The leak stemmed from the pipes leading to and from the heater; not the heater itself. The plumber and 2 contractors stated this is common from the extreme temperatures in our area. Our clothing does not have water damage but damage from the mold and souring of the carpeting. The carrier stated that along with the deductible for the damage repair, we would have to pay another deductible for any clothing cleaning or replacement! That does not sound appropriate. Further, it is clear they are leaning towards a "neglect" issue when that is certainly not the case. The purchase of the wetvac in itself shows we attempted to mitigate damages. It has been 5 days and we still are waiting for a decision on the claim. Total estimated damages at this point are in excess of $6000 and restoration began yesterday. We have paid the deductible to the contractor yet are still in limbo regarding the carrier picking up the balance of the repair costs. Please advise on this 2nd deductible regaring personal property and how we may protect ourselves in insuring the restoration costs will be covered. Thank you !
 


claimlaw

Member
5 days is not yet outrageous in claims parlance. 50 days isn't either, sadly.

If the insurer has an agreed scope of loss with you and/or the contractor doing the work, and the work is ongoing, you should be fine.

Be sure to keep a strict eye on the contractor and their compliance with the written estimate and any supplemental claims made on your coverage. There are very few straight-shooters in the Fire and Water restoration industry that remain straight-shooters for very long.

Read your declarations page on the deductible. Generally the answer is "one deductible only" even in a concurrent loss situation. I so rarely deal with mobile home policy's that I can't speak without seeing the coverages.

Generally, it sounds like things are moving in the right direction, only at "insurance speed". None of the things you raise as issues should be issues if you are assertive about it.

Remember: the guy with the best story wins. If you buy the adjuster's deductible story - they will get away with what you have described.

claimlaw
 

Find the Right Lawyer for Your Legal Issue!

Fast, Free, and Confidential
data-ad-format="auto">
Top