| Message |
Author |
|
 Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject: Home Owners insurance |
|
|
I am in a rent to own situation, I carry my own insurance on the home, about a month ago I came home to find a pick up truck in the middle of my deck that was just finished two weeks before that, I had not even had time to get furniture on it yet. I could have just cried, all the hard work in the evenings after work and on the weekends all shifted and crooked. The truck also shifted my chimney over. I want the insurance company to pay for the repairs on the chimney too, the impact knocked items off my walls and kitchen counters, I am really surprised that the truck did not come through my kitchen.
The individuals car insurance wants to settle the claim for $4000, I have almost that in the deck in the treated lumber, it is a pretty big deck with a ramp leading up to it. It sits second story. I am not happy with this amount, so my question is, will my homeowners step in and make the car insurance company pay for the other damage to the home, chimney and such. They will be the ones insuring the damaged property so I would think that they would have some interest in making sure the repairs are done right. I am asking for any advice at all here, dealing with two different worlds of insurance is confusing me car insurance vs homeowners insurance. thank you in advance for any advice you can offer. |
|
erb1953
Senior member
Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 250
1.22 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The insurance on the vehicle that hit your house should be fully responsible, I don't think that your homeowners would have anything to do with this unless the person driving the vehicle did not have insurance. Did you contact your home owners and make them aware of the situation. I would make sure they know, just in case you don't get the damaged area repaired correctly, I would do this be for accepting any payment from the vehicle insurance, once you accept they are no longer held responsible.
I am sure some one else will come along and further advise you on what to do here, this is just what I would do. |
|
goodnatured
Senior member
Joined: 04 Nov 2007
Posts: 1214
0.03 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I was hoping that they would give me at least what I had in the deck and then at least pay for the chimney repair, I think it is on the car insurance to do this, it was not a home owner issue that caused this, it was the truck that veered to miss, but hit another vehicle and then was thrown into my yard and eventually hit my house. Apparently, a couple was arguing and was pulling out of the side road across from my house, she gave the car gas while in the middle of the argument, she did not see the pick up truck coming and when she pulled out, the pick up truck tried to swerve to miss them, but they were in the forward motion and he hit them and then ended up losing control of the vehicle and it come over into my yard, thus doing the damage that is talked about in the original post.
Funny thing is the couple that was arguing and caused the accident are the people that I am buying the house off of. They only live across the street from where the accident happened, they were at the american legion and I guess got into a heated argument there that continued in the vehicle, I just feel like I am between a rock and a hard spot here. They are not disputing that their insurance should pay, they are more or less letting the insurance companies handle it all and state, that is what they pay the insurance company for.
My concern is getting paid the amount that the damage is actually worth, not having the insurance company undermine my estimates and cut me a check that will not pay for all the damage caused. My house was innocent in this incident. |
|
erb1953
Senior member
Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 250
1.22 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi erb1953,
| Quote: | | I would make sure they know, just in case you don't get the damaged area repaired correctly, I would do this be for accepting any payment from the vehicle insurance, once you accept they are no longer held responsible. |
Well, thats quite true. Apart from that, informing your own insurance would enable you to avail their invaluable expertise & guidance
| Quote: | | My concern is getting paid the amount that the damage is actually worth, not having the insurance company undermine my estimates and cut me a check that will not pay for all the damage caused. |
See, you may always write a letter to them asking them for an explanation of the amount they have arrived at.
Thanks for sharing!
Norma_hepburn
_________________
Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved. |
|
Norma_hepburn
Guest
|
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
Good morning ERB and welcome...
First, the insurance on the vehicle is responsible for ALL OF THE DAMAGE, including anything that fell in the house and was damaged...period...
They (car ins company) has to show you EXACTLY how they came up with the 4k...there has to be an acurate estimate to repair and a contractor that will complete the repairs for that price....
Here is what I would do...have them give you a copy of the repair estimate (how they arrived at 4k)....after you have that in hand contact a couple of contractors give them a copy of the estimate and make sure they can and will complete ALL the work for that amount...If they won't have them write an estimate after you have all of this contact the adjuster again (do not accept payment, and tell the adjuster straight up, you want to make sure the work can be completed for this amount prior to accepting payment)...
Remember now, they are repairing not rebuilding this entire deck, so the cost of repair is going to be lots less than you have invested (more than likely)....
You should put your carrier on notice, but I wouldn't file a claim as yet...you can't accept payment for part of this loss from the auto carrier then go to your carrier for the rest, it doesn't work that way...one carrier or the other have to pay the entire claim...your carrier could repair it under your homeowners policy then subrogate the auto carrier, but they won't 'fix what's left' after the car carrier has paid...understand? make SURE that the adjuster has included this chimmeny repair too!
Any other questions please don't hesitate to ask...
_________________
"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr. |
|
Lori
Moderator
Joined: 10 Sep 2007
Posts: 7541
Location: Missouri
172.15 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| That is what I thought that the car insurance company should be totally responsible for it, I can't see how the homeowners would even come into play here at all. |
|
goodnatured
Senior member
Joined: 04 Nov 2007
Posts: 1214
0.03 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: | | That is what I thought that the car insurance company should be totally responsible for it, I can't see how the homeowners would even come into play here at all. |
I intended to comment on the prior post too, you hit this one on the head...only thing would be (re:OP's HO policy), if either the truck is uninsured, or the OP just doesn't want to hassle with the other company he can have his HO policy repair his property, and then subro against the auto policy for him or in his stead...There are people that just want to deal with their carriers an no others, or as little as possible with the other carriers, if there is a choice...(and generally there is)...they can always elect to use their own coverage and let the adjusters handle the arguments regarding reimbursement. (great job by the way good natured and erb!)
_________________
"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr. |
|
Lori
Moderator
Joined: 10 Sep 2007
Posts: 7541
Location: Missouri
172.15 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| My advice is to make sure regarless ,that you get plenty of pictures as evidence.Take pictures inside and out and of the chimney. |
|
hummingbird
Senior member
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 605
2.43 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
One thing to keep in mind... the other person's insurance will apply depreciation/betterment to the repairs of older items (chimney). Your policy may cover "replacement cost". It's up to you if you file a claim under your own policy for the damage. As mentioned, take a look at the appraisal done by the other carrier and see how they arrived at their amount.
[You could then get a PA and get $20k  . Sorry, inside joke  } |
|
tcope
Forum Expert
Joined: 22 Nov 2006
Posts: 3202
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
335.76 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: | | [You could then get a PA and get $20k . Sorry, inside joke } |
you bad boy! 
_________________
"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr. |
|
Lori
Moderator
Joined: 10 Sep 2007
Posts: 7541
Location: Missouri
172.15 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I have read some of your comments and know to take you lightly tscope, I do appreciate all your help here, you too Lori. The insurance company is sending me out forms next week, they said it will include all the necessary paperwork, which I assume will have the estimate information and the list of repairs in it. The deck is twisted and pushed away from the home, it should be okay for a contractor to come in and repair, I won't be able to do it that is for sure. As far as the chimney, I did talk to them about it, I have a furnace guy of my own coming in to look at repairing it. I am sure that all will be as it was as soon as the snow stops flying with the deck, the fire company did come in with detectors and check for gas leaks when the incident happened, I know that is okay. I appreciate all your input and will come back here to this thread when I get the paperwork that they send me for some further explanation, if I have questions I am sure that I can find the answers here. I shall return. |
|
erb1953
Senior member
Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 250
1.22 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
Erb, something I failed to mention...did this insurance company give you a list of contractors that THEY will back? meaning contractors that the insurance company will gaurantee their work? If not (and they may not do this all companies do not) please be sure whomever you hire is insured and licensed and will provide you with a written warranty for their work...also don't turn over that insurance money to the contractor until the job is finished...you probably already know these things....just adding this info for those that might read this thread for information that may not know...please do keep us updated, and anything that comes up that we can be of assistance with please do let us know.
_________________
"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr. |
|
Lori
Moderator
Joined: 10 Sep 2007
Posts: 7541
Location: Missouri
172.15 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
They did not give me a list, but there are a few around here that are licensed and insured and have really good reputations for backing up their work. I have one that gave me an estimate on repair that I think I will use.
I got the paperwork in the mail, it included paperwork that asks me to list anything inside the premise that was damaged in the accident, they said it was in the original paperwork, but I did not get it or I would have had it and reciepts of purchase in my return. They said that as soon as they get it back with the estimate of chimney repair that they will cut a repair check.
I won't be able to get any work done till spring anyway, except for the chimney work and that will depend on the weather if I choose repair, but if I choose replacement and kick in some money myself, I may wait till spring on it too.
I need a new furnace, not from this but the one that is here is very old, so I am thinking in the spring of just doing a whole new heating system. I am just tired of thinking about all this stuff. Once I get the insurance check I will put the money in the bank until I can get the work done.
thanks for all you help on this. |
|
erb1953
Senior member
Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 250
1.22 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Make sure that you receive a breakdown of everything that they are paying you and make sure that everything that you want paid for is on the list before you agree to any payment.
It is okay to wait till spring to repair the damage if you want to, you make that choice, I am not sure that you can get a construction company to come in and do that type of work in the middle of winter anyway can you? |
|
goodnatured
Senior member
Joined: 04 Nov 2007
Posts: 1214
0.03 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
I will, I am following all the advice that I got here and lord knows that I got some really good advice and guidance. I am going to go through the paperwork before I send it in, list everything, wait till they send me back the itemized list and then compare it and see where it all stands, then I will send in the ok for the payment.
I am so glad that I came here, I feel so much more informed and feel like I can handle this situation now. thank you all for all your help. |
|
erb1953
Senior member
Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 250
1.22 Dollars($)
|
|
