KCMO/Dispute Subrogation Letter from National Service Bureau

[god23119]

Kansas City, MO

I received a letter from the National Service Bureau representing State Farm. They Claim I owe about $30000 for an accident with no clear cause.


On May 6, 2024, the water in my condo building was shut off at 9:00 AM for plumbing repairs. At 12:56 PM, the concierge informed me they needed to enter my unit to investigate a leak. At 1:24 PM, I was told it was an emergency due to flooding in another unit. By 1:33 PM, I was accused of leaving my kitchen faucet on, allegedly causing flooding in my unit and others below. However, when I arrived home at 3:20 PM, my kitchen showed no signs of water damage, which I documented with photos but other units.


I reported it immediately to my landlord and homeowner. They said they were sure it was not my issue, but eventually, the owner’s insurance claimed against me. I did not have renters insurance on the date of the accident.


Could you advise me on how to dispute the subrogation letter?

 

[quincy]

Kansas City, MO

I received a letter from the National Service Bureau representing State Farm. They Claim I owe about $30000 for an accident with no clear cause.


On May 6, 2024, the water in my condo building was shut off at 9:00 AM for plumbing repairs. At 12:56 PM, the concierge informed me they needed to enter my unit to investigate a leak. At 1:24 PM, I was told it was an emergency due to flooding in another unit. By 1:33 PM, I was accused of leaving my kitchen faucet on, allegedly causing flooding in my unit and others below. However, when I arrived home at 3:20 PM, my kitchen showed no signs of water damage, which I documented with photos but other units.


I reported it immediately to my landlord and homeowner. They said they were sure it was not my issue, but eventually, the owner’s insurance claimed against me. I did not have renters insurance on the date of the accident.


Could you advise me on how to dispute the subrogation letter?

Was there a leak discovered beneath your sink that a running faucet in your kitchen could have led to the flooding in the unit below you?

 

[god23119]

Was there a leak discovered beneath your sink that a running faucet in your kitchen could have led to the flooding in the unit below you?

No, there was no leak beneath my sink, and there were no signs of any leaking in my entire unit.

 

[quincy]

No, there was no leak beneath my sink, and there were no signs of any leaking in my entire unit.

What does your lease say about insurance on the unit? Are you considered a co-insurer under the landlord’s policy? Were you required under the lease to have your own insurance?

 

[god23119]

What does your lease say about insurance on the unit? Are you considered a co-insurer under the landlord’s policy? Were you required under the lease to have your own insurance?

I had to provide the insurance. However on the date of the accident, my insurance had lapsed.

The complicated part is I am renting a condo from 3rd party property management so the landlord is the management company. But the claim against me is coming from the condo owner’s insurance.

 

[quincy]

I had to provide the insurance. However on the date of the accident, my insurance had lapsed.

The complicated part is I am renting a condo from 3rd party property management so the landlord is the management company. But the claim against me is coming from the condo owner’s insurance.

So … you were required to have insurance but you were uninsured on the date of the leak?

 

[god23119]

So … you were uninsured on the date of the leak?

No I was not. That’s why I am seeking for help to write a dispute letter.

 

[quincy]

I had to provide the insurance. However on the date of the accident, my insurance had lapsed.…

So … you were required to have insurance but you were uninsured on the date of the leak?

No I was not. That’s why I am seeking for help to write a dispute letter.

Huh?

 

[LdiJ]

I had to provide the insurance. However on the date of the accident, my insurance had lapsed.

The complicated part is I am renting a condo from 3rd party property management so the landlord is the management company. But the claim against me is coming from the condo owner’s insurance.

I am a little confused. Are you saying that you were required to provide insurance above and beyond standard renter's insurance? I don't see how it could be your negligence (which is what renter's insurance covers for this kind of claim) if running water from your faucet only caused damage to the unit below you, and not to your unit. It could only be a plumbing problem that would cause that, and that would not normally be the responsibility of a tenant.

However, the bottom line is that the amount of money involved means that you really have no choice but to consult a local attorney regarding the matter. This is not a DIY matter.

 

[Zigner]

I am a little confused. Are you saying that you were required to provide insurance above and beyond standard renter's insurance? I don't see how it could be your negligence (which is what renter's insurance covers for this kind of claim) if running water from your faucet only caused damage to the unit below you, and not to your unit. It could only be a plumbing problem that would cause that, and that would not normally be the responsibility of a tenant.

However, the bottom line is that the amount of money involved means that you really have no choice but to consult a local attorney regarding the matter. This is not a DIY matter.

Nope - OP is saying that he didn't have any renter's insurance.

 

[LdiJ]

Nope - OP is saying that he didn't have any renter's insurance.

That is what I figured that he meant, but the wording got a little confusing.

 

[quincy]

It is important for god23119 to check his/her lease to see what the lease says about insurance.

It is possible (probable?) that this has nothing to do with renter’s insurance (which covers a tenant’s personal property) but rather is about general liability insurance or some other insurance that was required by the lease, which names the condo owner as co-insured on the tenant’s policy.

The fact that god23119 let his insurance lapse raises some questions, and could explain why the condo owner’s insurance company filed a claim against god23119.

 

[adjusterjack]

I am seeking for help to write a dispute letter.

For $30,000 you would be wise to have a liability defense attorney review your evidence and write the letter for you.

 

[quincy]

For $30,000 you would be wise to have a liability defense attorney review your evidence and write the letter for you.

Here is a link to Missouri Legal Services, a legal aid clinic where tenants can find assistance:

https://www.lsmo.org/node/808/tenant-legal-help-clinic-kc-mo

 

[LdiJ]

It is important for god23119 to check his/her lease to see what the lease says about insurance.

It is possible (probable?) that this has nothing to do with renter’s insurance (which covers a tenant’s personal property) but rather is about general liability insurance or some other insurance that was required by the lease, which names the condo owner as co-insured on the tenant’s policy.

The fact that god23119 let his insurance lapse raises some questions, and could explain why the condo owner’s insurance company filed a claim against god23119.

Renter's insurance generally includes personal liability coverage.