What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NJ
Property location -NJ Had fire - DOL: 2/23/08 Insured by: Quincy Mutual - MA; Quincy subcontracted loss claim to Bahler Adjusters - PA I retained an adjuster from NJ
There have been a myriad of issues with the adjuster employed by Bahler as well as the adjuster from the company that I retained. After months of frustration and a complete lack of cooperation from Bahler, I threatened a lawsuit.
Both adjusters have since been fired by their respective companies. I had agreed to give the new parties an opportunity to rectify the situation. My question is whether a full month to rectify the situation is enough time considering my claim is from February. I am not receiving any sense of urgency from either adjuster and frankly, it's been a rough year for me and I simply do not know how much more I can handle. I'd like to be certain that the stress that I'm under is not influencing my level of expectation to an unreasonable level-
Background, if needed, is as follows:
1) Had to go into rental as the trailer concept was veto'd by Bahler. Although they provided the security and 1 mos. rent, they have not made any other payments to the landlord. I was advised to pay 2 mos. as "my" contribution so that the insur. company recovered the funds from the security. This was done and yet no subsequent pmnts have been made. The LL is threatening eviction - and I don't blame him. My lease ends mid-October
2) Personal loss claim - has been sent to Bahler repeatedly in April, May and June. In July (7/21) when I was losing my mind with the adjuster, Bahler told me (via Email) they were just completing the verification. To date, I am not in receipt of a reimbursement check.
3) Bahler remained unresponsive to the counter bid for completion of work. New Bahler adjuster came last Wednesday to the home. All new pictures were taken of the property. He guaranteed his estimate to be complete 9-16, latest 9-17. It remains o/s. The behavior is as if this is a new claim, new loss!! Shouldn't this company be concerned that they've delayed for so long?! It took them 2 wks to schedule the appointment to come to the property and I couldn't understand that...why didn't they just use the file & photo's from the former adjuster that was fired?! I feel as if it was nothing more than another delaying tactic.
4) Bahler also requested on 9-10 to see some of the loss items on the personal loss sheet. He was advised that a dumpster had been obtained due to township requirements for disposal of many of the charred items. Bahler had been notified at that time (03/08) and they advised that I needed to retain the dumpster on the premises for 2 wks (can you even imagine?!!) so that they could inventory. I did so and the dumpster invoice had been sent for payment (still o/s) on 3 separate occasions.
Questions -
1) Am I out of line to believe that all things considered, Bahler should be treating this as an escalated issue?
2) At what point in time should I just bypass Bahler and go straight to the insurance company?
3) Do I have a right to demand immediate payment of o/s rent and late charges be paid directly to the LL?
4) My lease expires mid-Oct. The LL will not reimburse me security (nor do I blame him). Considering the number of letters and Email's written to Bahler, can I demand that Bahler or Quincy take responsibility for the security? Can I demand that they locate a domicile for my sons, dog and me to reside as of mid-Oct? Or is that unreasonable?
5) If corresponding directly with the insurance co is acceptable at this point, anyone know of a site that provides info on how best to write a letter of complaint so that it is actionable?
6) Should I contact a contingency attorney to file a suit? It's been 7 months and the emotional and financial stress that this situation has placed me under has been overwhelming. Although I have never sued anyone in my life and am not a person that thinks "lawsuit" at any opportunity (I got hit by a teen driving an SUV with the radio blasting while I was walking across a street and didn't sue!!) I am at a loss as to what else I can do and how else to insulate myself against losses due to late charges, my security, etc. Never mind that my home was on the market at the time of the fire and the market downturn has been considerable. Meanwhile, the work has not yet even begun due to Bahler's repeated lack of responsiveness.
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Property location -NJ Had fire - DOL: 2/23/08 Insured by: Quincy Mutual - MA; Quincy subcontracted loss claim to Bahler Adjusters - PA I retained an adjuster from NJ
There have been a myriad of issues with the adjuster employed by Bahler as well as the adjuster from the company that I retained. After months of frustration and a complete lack of cooperation from Bahler, I threatened a lawsuit.
Both adjusters have since been fired by their respective companies. I had agreed to give the new parties an opportunity to rectify the situation. My question is whether a full month to rectify the situation is enough time considering my claim is from February. I am not receiving any sense of urgency from either adjuster and frankly, it's been a rough year for me and I simply do not know how much more I can handle. I'd like to be certain that the stress that I'm under is not influencing my level of expectation to an unreasonable level-
Background, if needed, is as follows:
1) Had to go into rental as the trailer concept was veto'd by Bahler. Although they provided the security and 1 mos. rent, they have not made any other payments to the landlord. I was advised to pay 2 mos. as "my" contribution so that the insur. company recovered the funds from the security. This was done and yet no subsequent pmnts have been made. The LL is threatening eviction - and I don't blame him. My lease ends mid-October
2) Personal loss claim - has been sent to Bahler repeatedly in April, May and June. In July (7/21) when I was losing my mind with the adjuster, Bahler told me (via Email) they were just completing the verification. To date, I am not in receipt of a reimbursement check.
3) Bahler remained unresponsive to the counter bid for completion of work. New Bahler adjuster came last Wednesday to the home. All new pictures were taken of the property. He guaranteed his estimate to be complete 9-16, latest 9-17. It remains o/s. The behavior is as if this is a new claim, new loss!! Shouldn't this company be concerned that they've delayed for so long?! It took them 2 wks to schedule the appointment to come to the property and I couldn't understand that...why didn't they just use the file & photo's from the former adjuster that was fired?! I feel as if it was nothing more than another delaying tactic.
4) Bahler also requested on 9-10 to see some of the loss items on the personal loss sheet. He was advised that a dumpster had been obtained due to township requirements for disposal of many of the charred items. Bahler had been notified at that time (03/08) and they advised that I needed to retain the dumpster on the premises for 2 wks (can you even imagine?!!) so that they could inventory. I did so and the dumpster invoice had been sent for payment (still o/s) on 3 separate occasions.
Questions -
1) Am I out of line to believe that all things considered, Bahler should be treating this as an escalated issue?
2) At what point in time should I just bypass Bahler and go straight to the insurance company?
3) Do I have a right to demand immediate payment of o/s rent and late charges be paid directly to the LL?
4) My lease expires mid-Oct. The LL will not reimburse me security (nor do I blame him). Considering the number of letters and Email's written to Bahler, can I demand that Bahler or Quincy take responsibility for the security? Can I demand that they locate a domicile for my sons, dog and me to reside as of mid-Oct? Or is that unreasonable?
5) If corresponding directly with the insurance co is acceptable at this point, anyone know of a site that provides info on how best to write a letter of complaint so that it is actionable?
6) Should I contact a contingency attorney to file a suit? It's been 7 months and the emotional and financial stress that this situation has placed me under has been overwhelming. Although I have never sued anyone in my life and am not a person that thinks "lawsuit" at any opportunity (I got hit by a teen driving an SUV with the radio blasting while I was walking across a street and didn't sue!!) I am at a loss as to what else I can do and how else to insulate myself against losses due to late charges, my security, etc. Never mind that my home was on the market at the time of the fire and the market downturn has been considerable. Meanwhile, the work has not yet even begun due to Bahler's repeated lack of responsiveness.
Thanks in advance for any guidance.