Common Insurance Claim Questions
Questions under 100 words are more likely to receive an answer.
1. Which Insurance Company – “Do I turn in my claim to my own insurance, or the other driver’s insurance company?”
Both. See who offers the better settlement. Let them both send out their vehicle damage appraisers. Don’t worry, you won’t get paid twice. They will both check to see if the other has already made payment. If a payment was already made by one adjuster and the other adjuster was going to pay more, then the second adjuster will only pay the difference. It will all get ironed out in the end. If your company pays you first and it turns out the other driver was at fault, your company will collect back from the other drivers insurer and get the appropriate portion of your deductible back for you also.
If you think that you should not make a claim to your own insurer (if the other driver is at fault) in order to avoid a premium increase, you are wrong. You should not be charged any premium increase if you are not at fault (at least in California). But double check this with your sales agent. If you don’t report it to your own insurer, they will find out anyway since most insurers report all claims to a couple of national data banks in Georgia and New Jersey.
Although you should turn it in to both insurers, you have more legal rights and opportunity for a better settlement against the other drivers insurance company. The other driver’s insurer cannot force you into a “Policy Appraisal” if there is a dispute over your vehicle’s value. The other driver’s insurer cannot limit your rental car expense to some predetermined policy limit such as $10.00/day. While the other driver’s insurer may treat you with less respect, they are still subject to Unfair Claims Practices Settlement Regulations. Also, while you may have more legal rights to sue your own insurer for “Bad Faith” and breach of contract, the odds are thousands to one that you will end up in a higher court for a “damage to your vehicle” claim.
2. Cashing the Check – If I cash the insurance check is my claim closed?
No, not if the check is from your own insurance company. If the check is from another party’s insurer (as in an auto accident where your claim is against the other driver’s insurer), it may have a release on the back of the check, or you may have signed a separate release paper.
In California it is against the law for your own insurer to put a release on the back of your check, but some will do it anyway. Other insurers are trickier, and will put a release on the front of the check. While that is legal, they hope that you will think it means it is a release, and therefore will not pursue the claim any further.
Note – most people think it puts “pressure” on their own insurer to settle the claim fairly if they don’t cash the check. This is not true. The insurer could care less if you cash the check or not. In fact, it allows them to draw interest on checks not cashed. They owe the “undisputed amount” whether or not you, the insured, agree with the insurer’s valuation. And the claim must remain open for the “disputed amount” to be settled.
3. Supplemental Claim – How much time do I have to pursue my claim?
You can pursue your claim for as long as you have the right to file a lawsuit. This is called ‘Statute of Limitations’ in legal terminology. (Learn more insurance related legal terms ). After that period expires, the insurer can tell you to go fly a kite.
In California, you have three years to sue your insurer for property claims and four years for a ‘breach of contract’ cause of action (your insurance policy is a written contract). You have two years on bodily injury claims in California.
Although most property policies say you only have one year to file a lawsuit, the policy is overridden by local, state and federal law. Insurance adjusters will usually advise you in a letter that accompanies their ‘final’ payment that if you don’t like the settlement, you have one year to bring a lawsuit. Legally, they are wrong. The average property adjuster is kept ignorant of much insurance law that benefits the policyholder and overrides the insurance policy.
If it has been a year or two since your claim was supposedly ‘closed’, just fax a letter to the adjuster or claims department saying you want the claim ‘reopened.’ Allow them a couple of weeks to retrieve their file or to assign it to a new adjuster.
So, when does the three year clock start ticking? In California, it is from the time they either:
- deny further payment
- deny the whole claim in writing
- issue the ‘final’ check
- ‘when negotiations end’ or they cease to respond to your communications.
Most policies will say you have one year from the date of the loss. But this is over ridden by the law. Fortunately, most insurers allow their adjusters to know this law and you will have no problem getting your claim reopened.
4. ‘Proof of Loss’ form – I signed a Proof of Loss, can I still pursue my claim?
A Proof of Loss is required by your policy. However, it is NOT a release.
Adjusters will attempt to make you believe that it is. They will say, ‘You can’t reopen your claim because you signed a Proof of Loss.’ The main purpose of a Proof of Loss form is to give the insurer an opportunity to void your policy and thereby deny your claim if you intentionally lie or give false information on the form.
As far as our contributors are concerned, it’s a worthless piece of paper. You can supply the information required on the Proof of Loss on a roll of toilet paper if you want to show your adjuster that you are not intimidated.
In his fee based eBooks, Ron Cercone offers simple instructions on how to safely deal with a Proof of Loss form if the insurer presents one to you, whether it be for property contents or structure or automobile.
5. Release – I signed a release, can I still pursue my claim?
Your insurance policy does not require you sign a release.
We have never seen a homeowners, business or auto policy which required a release. However, at least one major insurer – CSAA (AAA of Northern California) – has used trickery to make their policyholders with a total loss auto claim believe they signed one. They put a release form on the same piece of paper as a Proof of Loss form that had only one signature for the entire page. That form was entitled ‘Proof of Loss/Receipt and Release ‘ (see You Are The Enemy number 3, page 2, on the Free Stuff page at Uclaim.com for an example).
From contributor Ron Cercone:
I had the experience of standing in line with a client at a AAA office in Visalia, California for the purpose of signing one of these forms. It was much like a line in a bank where you approach the teller behind a wall to get your money. You stand up at the ‘tellers wall’ as people stand in line behind you, impatient, waiting to do the same thing. When my client asked if he could take this Proof/Release form home, for an attorney to review before signing, he was told that no one was allowed to take these forms from the building before signing. My presence as a public adjuster (and witness) made no difference. Amazing! When my client asked if he could go sit down and read it over before signing, the clerk said he could, but that he would have to go to the end of the line and wait his turn to get back to her window. Amazing! Well, my client, being in a hurry, decided to just read the document at the window. He spent about two minutes as the clerk, a large intimidating lady, stood across from him, her face not 20 inches from his, and looked straight at him the entire time. Add to this a line of disgruntled people behind us.
Consumers can be faced with things like this, even from respected names like AAA. You may want to check out our list of consumer-friendly recommended insurers .
Note – You may legitimately sign a release under the following circumstances:
- You can volunteer to sign a release with your own insurer. You can do this with a heavily contested claim to assure the insurer that you will not surprise them with any more supplemental claims. This will sometimes get them to pay more than they would otherwise. You can also use it as a tool where the insurer does not think the claim is covered by the policy, but they may pay the claim as a ‘compromise settlement’ or for other reasons, such as to avoid litigation. But this is rare in property claims.
- If your claim settlement is with some one else’s insurer (called a ‘third party’ claim), you may be required to sign a release, whether it is for bodily injury or property damage to your automobile.
6. Acting as Your Own Contractor – I’m going to ’sub out’ or do my own repairs. Any pitfalls here?
You better believe it, and don’t expect the insurance company adjuster to tell you. You could lose 20-40% of the value of your claim by doing your own repairs. You may think you’re saving money, but you will get stung in the end.
Ron Cercone offers advanced tips on this topic in his fee based eBooks . The information is included with structure, contents and business personal property claim eBooks.
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:43 pm #Michelle Moore
In 2004 rear ended at stop sign, the police office at scene and in the E.R advised the other driver was insured and presented a valid insurance card.
Attempted to file claim the next day and was required to leave VM in the claims office and my call would be return asap. After several days I recieved a call advising this claim is being reviewed for validity and I would be informed of the decision asap. Concerned and hurt I retained attorney, formal request for coverage status was sent by attorney and the reply was uninsured. Attorney persued UIM claim with my auto insurance. Several issues surrounding the at fault drive did not add up, when my concerns were ignored by attorney, I personally requested a formal investigation by the Colorado Division of Insurance to insure the denied claim was valid. Early in 2007 the denial was reversed and the UIM claim was dropped and case was sent to drivers insurance and settlement for personal injury awarded.
The question concerns “consortium”. My UIM policy allows for “bodily injury” only so “consortium” was not allowed. When the liability changed my right under “consortium” was valid? Yes. If so how do you calculate the time limit for filing claim – the accident was 2004 but reveral of claim was 2007.
thanks
Michelle
June 26th, 2009 at 1:23 am #admin
Hello Michelle,
1. If you are talking about time to file a claim:
Look at the policy requirement. If it says report the claim as soon as reasonable or possible, then you have already done that long ago.
2. If you are talking about time limit to file suit:
Most states have “statutes” defining the time to file suit, eg. 1 year for injury, 3 years for property damage. However these limits are extended usually by case law in your state which will say something like “1 year from the date of loss, where “date of loss” is not the date of the accident, but the date from which your claim was finally approved or denied. There is “no loss” until the insurer refuses or accepts liability.
You better find out the statute of limitations on bodily injury ASAP. Call your local small claims court for a quick free answer. California just raised theirs from 1 year to 2 years.
July 15th, 2009 at 5:44 am #Roger
How exactly is general contractor overhead and profit values calculated into limits-of-liability/homeowners insurance premiums?
July 16th, 2009 at 9:15 pm #admin
Hello Roger,
As a claim adjuster, I have no idea. This would be a better question for an sales agent or an underwriter. However I can tell you that claim adjusters usually estimate 20% for contractors P&O when they are writing a repair estimate on a homeowners insurance claim. Hope that helps a little.
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:55 pm #Roger Poe
As a claim adjuster, and possible homeowner/policyholder, it seems it would be important and beneficial for you to know the core indemnified values of a structure that ones are paying premiums for, so that claim settlement values will be “adjusted” truly appropriately.
No matter what various carriers instructions are to adjusters, the daily and historical fact exists that structures contain first and foremost, general contractors business overhead and profit costs, coupled with all of their specialty trade subcontractors’ business overhead and profit costs.
Since general contractor + subcontractors’ costs are customarily woven into every component of a residential and/or commercial structure that is built by a G.C., insurance agents need to account for those costs for the anticipated future replacement costs of a structure.
When a hail/wind storm creates a insurance covered loss, the roofing system, like every other component on the structure, has prospective general contractor replacement costs values to account for, fairly and equitably.
A general contractor using a roofing contractor is the fair market construction value/actual cash value of the roofing component “loss”
that a policyholder needs a insurance adjuster to understand.
The same is historically true for all other components of a structure, from the roof to the foundation, inside and out.
A insurer that only wants adjusters to pay for the roofing contractor business overhead and profit value of a roofing system is involving adjusters in their undervaluation / underpayment practices.
They also place adjusters at real (litigation) risk of defending unfair and unjust construction market manipulation conduct against general contractors in a given area.
So, now you and other adjusters, and consumers/claimants, have an idea why, when insurers want adjusters to support their contrived construction market myths that claim a structure needs a certain damage “complexity” or requires “three or more trades work” to qualify for general contractor overhead and profit costs/involvement, you should separate yourself from such unfair claim settlement practices.
You also can also help others with the question…
How exactly is general contractor overhead and profit values calculated into limits-of-liability/homeowners insurance premiums?
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/bulletins/1998/b-0045-8.html
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/bulletins/2008/cc70.html
And for further verification regarding adjusting roofing “loss” values, ask any general contractor if their roofing system on their projects customarily contains roofing contractor business overhead and profit only.
Also, as you drive by a structure, or are responsible for assessing/
adjusting the intrinsic loss value of one, remember the general contractor + specialty subcontractor overhead and profit value that is built into every component of the structure.
With those points in mind, claims can be settled for their actual and fair financial loss.
-Roger Poe G.C.
August 7th, 2009 at 12:10 am #admin
Good comments Roger, and thanks for your contribution.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:47 pm #Roberta Ricco
My son was hit by a drunk driver in Los Angeles California, he was sitting at a red light and a drunk driver hit him from behind, it has been a 1 1/2 and the
case has not settle yet, the driver was convicted and arrested that night at the scene of the but the insurance company is trying to find all types of
clauses to not pay for my son pental damages he has a spinal tissue damage and a football player in college he was on his way back to college when this
accident happen, the clause know after they want to reach an agreement to settle the insurance company say’s no they want to back out of the settlement
small statement because he was not coveraged on the policy. my understanding if you have insurance or not that he was hit from behind and the driver was arrested that night and taking to jail for being under the influence and now the insurance company does not want to pay for damages, what law is this I need to know the law that defensive drunk drivers so I can bring to MADD to investigate this more and we shall look into this matter. Help my son was the victim.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:40 pm #admin
Roberta,
I can’t understand your English grammar enough to answer your question. Unless another visitor wants to try to answer your question, you may have to get someone to rewrite your post. Sorry …
October 7th, 2009 at 11:02 am #mimi
I would try to help translate Roberta’s post as it seems I am in a similar position, though there are some bits that I can’t quite figure.
However my problem – my dad was injured over 2 yrs ago by an uninsured driver speeding at 2.5x the limit of our residential street. He was since convicted, did his three months in a cosy cell and is apparently back home beating his wife (:/ nice system we have.)
my dad has been left with severe cognitive difficulties that most of the medical experts have been able to identify, although some do acknowledge some form of brain injury. We’ve actually just found out that his doctors have actually been making somewhat derogatory remarks in his notes suggesting he’s been making it all up anyway, and as a result of this, he has not received the treatment he needed to get back on his feet, to date. It is only now that some specialists are disputing these comments, and through them, we found out what had been said.
meanwhile the insurance process is turning out to be a nightmare – the accident claim, in the UK is handled by the MIB as the other driver was uninsured. To date, their policy with our lawyer has been to avoid communication as much as possible. The 2 are now trying to establish some middle ground on treatment and possible interim compensation, but the brick wall is relentless. It has been 2 years of struggle, both medically and financially, and we need to get this resolved!
My dad also had insurance claims to cover illness and accident – however these guys are now playing up too, as they keep trying to draw out the process by asking for information over and over again.
There is also another (non)issue that they keep using as an obstacle – a yr previous to his accident my dad used to be a company director, which I then took over. He remained as an employee as he had other commitments. However because of this history, his insurers are insisting on seeing all the company’s records, although I have been advised repeatedly by business legal reps that as the current director, they have NO RIGHT or NEEd to this information, and are using it as a tactic. They are essentially asking my dad to take confidential information “under the table” as it were.
When trying to communicate with them about any of this, they fob us off with a lot of jargon, ultimately saying, “we can’t really say what info we need as we don’t know yet – just give us evrthing we ask for and we’ll figure it out”.
none of this is acceptable – the mess my dad has been put in should not be happening were it not for a system riddled with incompetency and greed.
Please, if you have any advice at all, it would be much appreciated.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:50 pm #admin
Mimi,
All I can say is document your communications and find out what the unfair claims practices laws are in your area. Sometimes, regardless of the merits of a claim, you can get coverage if the insurer screwed up with a negligent investigation.
The most common unfair practice is “delay”, so find out what the time limits are for answering letters and to deny or accept coverage. You can view typical claim practice laws in the UClaim.com publication “Claims Practices Laws With UCLAIM Commentary 2007″.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:20 am #Marilyn Wright
A drunk driver drove through our garage and damaged our tractor, garage contents including our car, tractor and motor cycle on November 3, 2009. The police report indicates the driver was clearly at fault. The drunk driver did not have very much insurance coverage only $10,000.00. Our damages exceed this total and is approximately $17,000.00. The drunk drivers insurance agent is telling us to submit the damages to our car and our motor cycle insurance agents and that he can only pay $8,000. We have three insurances carriers one for the motorcycle,for the car and one for the homeowners. So, if I were to pay the deductibles it would be $1,000. Obviously the drunk driver did not have very much insurance so I will basically be out $1,000.00 becaeu how would I get this back? I guess I don’t understand why I am being asked to handle this situation in this manner. My question is why should I have to pay any deductibles and send the claims through my own carriers? I really could use some advice.
I have not received payment yet and I honestly believe that the insurance companies are really giving us the run around. One of us could have been killed and the young driver could have been killed as well. This is really stressful. Each adn every day the stress is building. In essence I feel as though I am being harassed. We have had insurance adjustors here from both sides and all agree that we sustained a large amount of damage. Now the problem is that we are being expected to put out money for something that was not our fault and take a loss. In addition, I ended up taking a home euity loan out from our bank to pay the contractors. So, now I have interest to pay on a home equity loan in addition to this nightmare.
After filling out the long list of items that we know are damaged along with all the photos we took , the independent agent is going to deduct 20 percent and make us pay $250.00 as a deductible before he will release a check to us. They are telling us that if we replace items and send them the receipts they will pay us the difference. I guess I just need some advice in general as to how to proceed. Thank you very much for your assistance.
December 10th, 2009 at 2:10 am #admin
Marilyn,
1. Both you and or your insurer could still sue the drunk driver in court for your deductibles and any other damages not covered due to insufficient policy limits.
2. If your insurer unreasonably delayed their investigation and they refused to pay the interest on your loan, you could sue them in court. But first send a letter to their CEO if they refuse the interest.
3. Yes, if you have replacement cost coverage, you get reimbursed the depreciation after you replace the stuff. That’s what most policies say.
January 4th, 2010 at 9:05 pm #Nick
I was T boned on Nov 11th and my car was totalled.There were no PHYSICAL injuries for any party.Shortly after that I was informed by the at fault drivers insurance(Farmers)that his policy was no longer valid.(Due to a discrepancy over a payment that turned out to be Farmers insurance fault).The coverage I had at the time was only liability plus uninsured motorist coverage that would only cover me up to $3500.My car was worth about $5500 and I have been spending about $200 a month on rental cars in order to maintain employment since I am and independent courier contractor which relies on my own method of transportation,thus causing me still,now, months of emotional and financial stress.I thought I would have to take the at fault driver to small claims court in attempt to be compensated for my losses.
I was then slightly releived when I found out that I would be covered through farmers insurance since it was their fault for cancelling the at fault drivers policy.My car didnt get assessed by farmers until approximately 6 weeks after the accident because the tow yard which my car was moved to wouldnt allow Farmers to assess my car without some type of clearance from my carrier.This due to their lack of communication and urgency to get the case settled.Meanwhile putting me in a serious financial distress right before the holiday season.Farmers finally contacted me and sent me the assessment report of my vehicle along with the paperwork to change the title.I was also told over the phone by the adjustor that I would be reimbursed for the rental car and and loss of wages.I was happy with that and what they assessed the car at.$5397. Even though it states in the report that all of my tires had much more than average wear on the tread lowering the value of my car.I had spent $449 on tires 9 months before my accident and they had atleast 90% tread on them at the time of the accident.So obviously someone swapped my tires with old ones from the time of the accident to the day of the car’s value assessment.I’ve FED EX ed and faxed all necessary paperwork and documents requested by Farmers and still havent received any response.Therefore I still dont have a car and am cathing further behind in my bills.
Im appalled at the fact that(even though I wasn’t PHYSICALLY injured) it seems that Farmers insurance is unwilling to offer me any type of compensation for the emotional pain,suffering,hardship,and financial burden this accident is still causing me.I would like to know how to go about pursuing any additional compensation because of this if I have the right to.
Thanks you for your time,,,Nick
January 6th, 2010 at 1:50 pm #admin
If you were not physically injured, you won’t get any extra for your distress. If the tire issue is delaying the payment, I would take the money and sue the towing company in small claims court and file a theft report with the police. The insurer can’t be responsible for the towing company’s fraud.
January 8th, 2010 at 2:53 pm #Robert
On a commercial property claim concerning roof and interior damage:
Can an adjuster make you sign an agreement releasing them of future damages before they will issue you a check. Please note: in writing the adjuster has agreed with our contractors bid/invoice (work already done) but he says he won’t pay the final check until we sign a release. the reason they are concerned with future damages is because we wanted them to replace the roof ,instead they said the roof only needed repair and sent a letter stating if we didn’t repair the roof and sustained future water damage they would not cover the future water loss.
January 8th, 2010 at 5:20 pm #admin
Robert,
If this is your own insurer, you don’t have to sign a release. Most policies have no such requirement. They have to pay your future loss even if you don’t repair the roof, but they can deduct the old damages already paid for. They also have the choice to non renew your policy if the repairs are not done.
January 8th, 2010 at 10:59 pm #Robert
thanks for the response. the roof was repaired. they are claiming they will not pay the agreed amount unless a release is signed.
January 12th, 2010 at 2:44 am #admin
Robert,
You have many options. Make them put that demand in writing and fax a copy to the CEO of the insurer, and make a DOI complaint. Sue in small claims court. Does your policy say you have to sign a release?
January 15th, 2010 at 8:39 pm #audrey
I hit my garage and damaged my driver side fender. The adjuster came out to look at it. They submitted our claim and got me into a rent a car. The shop that I took it to gave me an estimate of $1300 orally and now that the check is in and the insurance approved $3800 minus a $500 deductible, the shop now has changed thier estimate and said they have to charge that much because the insurance said. When I took the car there I was unaware of what the insurance was going to cover so we were waiting on the claim. The shop was not given the go ahead on the work because we hadnt gotten any other quotes and were not sure if the claim was over the $500 deductible. Now that I received the check, the shop said the adjuster told them to go ahead with the work. Do I have to use them and am I legally able to keep the difference of the claim check and the estimate for work? Or just stuck. I talked to the adjuster secretary, and she assured me he would not and could not give the go ahead on work. It was only the owners who had the choice. Also, I fear this place will not put the parts that can be afforded, but all aftermarket and rebuilt/reused that was given in the estimate. What are the rights and ground rules for this situation, and is it wrong to keep the difference of the claim check?
January 19th, 2010 at 4:41 pm #admin
Please you Visitors who regularly monitor this website with RSS feeds or other methods. Because of the burden of more visitors with questions, your answers would be appreciated. Questions will be posted, but Admin responses may now either be delayed, or not given. Here is a chance for you to give back. Your involvement in the Discussion Forum of this website is also desired. Thanks.
January 31st, 2010 at 7:33 am #Dot
How do you break a release or set it aside? Can it be done? We had a house fire and our Public adjuster said we had no choice but to sign the release to accept far less $$ then we were entitled to. They went through an entire explanation of what the insruance company would do and how we would get no money for at least 9 months to a year and no advance unless we signed. We had a major health issue in our family which the insurance co. was aware of and knew we didn’t have the extra funds to live on and wait 9 months to see a cent. After we signed we discovered through our State Insurance department we had a lot of other options and that what the insurance company was doing and what the adjusters did was wrong. State says they believe we signed under duress but we would have to go to court. can the release be set aside in a home owners policy?
Thank you.
January 31st, 2010 at 11:27 pm #admin
Dot,
I agree with the State, you would have to prove you were under duress, and, the judge would have to decide if it was “enough duress” to make you sign. You or a lawyer or your PA could try sending a letter to the insurance company CEO threatening litigation if they don’t void the release and reopen the claim.
Now if the “release” you refer to was really a compromise settlement, then there is nothing you can do, unless you can prove your PA was negligent, then you sue him.
February 1st, 2010 at 7:34 am #Dot
Thanks for the fast reply. The document we signed is titled “Policy Holder’s Release” not a compromise settlement. The state tried with the insurance company as did we directly and their response was take us to court along with throwing blame on the PA.
Ther lawyer we have generaly does personal injury cases. How do we find one that handles Home Owners?
Other question is we had replacement cost with inflation gaurd protection which our agent said covers you for what it costs to replace the same item regardless of the new cost. The insurance company says there is a limit. How does replacement cost work?
Thank you.
February 15th, 2010 at 9:38 am #duane rabbett
i live in massachusetts if my policy ends on the 29 of jan 2010 paid in full and i switch to a new insurer before then and get new plates for a class 30 policy wich is a diffrent policy on the 20 th of jan 2010, and a accident happens on the 24th who is responsible my old or new insurer my plan didnt cancel to the 29th but the new plates are for the class 30 plan???
March 4th, 2010 at 6:59 pm #admin
Duane,
Sorry for the delay. Your post got overlooked. They would either split it or one or the other would cover it. You would not get a double payment. I forget the term (“Guiding Principals” perhaps?) but there is a set of rules in each state for multiple insurers on the same loss. Google it “Guiding Principals Insurance”.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:11 am #Jamie
I hit a deer with my motorcyle, and my insurance adjuster denied my claim, saying there is no proof i hit the deer. he did not view my motorcycle, or the site of the accident untill 10 days later. what can I do to dispute this, or what actions can I take?
May 28th, 2010 at 12:10 am #admin
Jamie,
Collision with an animal may be considered a comprehensive loss. Get his denial in writing. It must give a specific reason.
June 2nd, 2010 at 11:28 am #a bowman
1ce a claim is pd in full & u rec settlement ltr do u still owe obligations to the ins co.? ex oath statements 3 mo later?
June 2nd, 2010 at 10:27 pm #admin
Any suggestions for Mr. bowman?
June 10th, 2010 at 12:05 pm #Paula Christy
The company’s representative indicated it always consider long term damages whenever a wax seal leak as it always take a long time to see the damages.
The policy has am exclusion for long term leakage of water. The leak was detected May 1, 2010 . By the time the tenant advised the owner and the owner hire a handyman and it was determined that the damage was extensive. It was several weeks later and there was some mold growth. It is my understanding that mold can grow in a few days and the mere presence of mold should not be the sole grounds for denial. Do you believe this matter was fairly denied?
June 10th, 2010 at 11:44 pm #admin
Paula,
If you can’t push a butter knife through the wood, its not long term damage.
July 21st, 2010 at 9:11 pm #TPaul
My daughter was in the back seat of a car when it hit another vehicle. The insurance companies have said the fault is 50/50 with both drivers. My daughter had a sore neck initially and I reported it to the insurance company. She seemed better and we thought the soreness would go away and not wanting to file unnecessarily on her friend’s insurance, we waited to see if she complained. when we realized she was still having problems, we took her to a dr. who did an xray and found that she needs 6 weeks of PT. One of the insurance adjustors is saying we delayed too long getting treatment. She wants us to settle before PT is over or threatening that it may not be covered. what would you advise. My daughter is 17 and we live in California.