I am getting jerked around by my homeowners insurance policy, what can I do?

Question

I had coverage for water damage. We did the demo to get rid of the wet moldy drywall ASAP, and are being refunded only $8/hour for our time on that. We had no walls so I hired a VERY low cost worker ($20/hour) to replace them and even his rate was double what the estimate said it would cover. So I called the estimator and he said to send his estimate to a list of his choice contractors, so did---they ALL 100% ignored it. So I called him back and he said they would probably only do it non-a-la-carte, i.e. the whole thing, demo, drywall, tape, mud, float, texture, painting, replacing fixtures. This has stretched out over 2 months and I had to re-do all this MYSELF including the fixtures because we had no bathroom. So the situation is that I KNOW he's giving me a very lowball estimate and he's depriving me of a way to find out about that. What should I do now?

Answer 1

I'm assuming you're not underinsured on your house, and no coinsurance penalty is applying.

You talk to your agent.

You call 10 contractors in the area, and get quotes for the work, in writing, with a breakout of the dollars per person per hour, and hours for the job. You might need to pay them a nomimal fee for this, as you need the quotes on their letterhead.

Then you write to your state insurance department, with the adjuster's offer for damages, and what the 10 contractors said, in writing, and CC the adjuster, telling the adjuster the fees for the estimates are NOW part of the claim and you expect reimbursement from them. Make sure you tell the insurance commissioner you think that they are "acting in bad faith". Which *I* think they are, based on the little you've said.

Answer 2

Your homeowners policy has an appraisal provision in it that applies to situations like this.

The way it works - you hire an appraiser and your insurance company hires an appraiser. The two apprises pick an umpire. A decision of 2 is binding. You pay for your appraiser and 1/2 of the umpire. The insurance company pays for their appraiser and 1/2 the umpire.

Have your agent give you a copy of the policy and you will be able to read the provision.

Either you or the insurance company can invoke the clause. You will have to send notice in writing that you intend to invoke it.

Have you tried talking to the adjuster's boss? You may want to do that before you invoke the appraisal provision. You will also be able to ask questions about the provision.

Answer 3

call a public adjuster to reopen claim, he will let you know if its worth it,a house without bathroom is a situation coverable or a kitchen if needed,