This insurance company, American Freedom Insurance, out of Illinois, is not responding to my claim. Although they are not my insurance company, their insured client damaged my property. How do I get my money?
2007-12-12 06:25:15 · 11 answers · asked by cooper 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Insurance
You sue their client.
Depending on what happened, there's likely no coverage, anyway, under the policy. You don't say what happened, so it's hard to know.
Their insurance company has NO obligation to ACCEPT a claim from you. So there's no surprise there.
You're going to have to sue the person who destroyed your tree.
2007-12-12 07:05:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First it depends on the context in which the tree was damaged...was it an accident, an angry neighbor who didn't like the tree hanging in their yard, vandalism...etc.
Next, if it IS a claim for the insurance company (and you could call your insurance company for clarification of whether it is a possible claim), make sure you file a police report. Next contact the person who destroyed the tree and have them contact their company, sometimes they will respond faster if they are contacted by their insured (since they need to talk to the person anyways).
If it's not an insurable claim, talk to the person and see if you can negotiate a settlement. If not, THEN go to small claims court.
Whatever you do, make SURE you keep a running log of who you talk to/left messages for and when you made contact. Also communicate in writing whenever possible so you have a very good paper trail.
Hope this helps!
2007-12-12 07:49:34 · answer #2 · answered by car 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, insurance companies have an insanely long time to review your claim. I asked the board of insurance in Virginia the same question about a car claim--they told me the company has sixty days just to acknowledge my claim (they don't have to actually do anything in sixty days, they just have to say--yeah, we got that, we're working on it.)
You want to keep battling with the insurance company. If they act like they don't need to deal with you, threaten to sue their client (but don't pull this card out too early--do it when they will be convinced that whatever they just told you is the 'last straw' that would make you go to all that trouble). You could also call the guy who destroyed the tree and get him to bug his insurance company for you. In this situation, the only thing you can hold over the insurance company's head is that you could sue, and it could cost them more than just a tree if you sue.
2007-12-12 06:36:36 · answer #3 · answered by wayfaroutthere 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The MOST they have to pay, on a replacement cost policy (which it sounds like you have, based on the recoverable depreciation) is: 1. the actual cash value of the house, if you do NOT rebuild 2. the cost to rebuild the house, up to the policy limit, if you DO rebuild You can ALWAYS ask your agent to get you a duplicate policy issued. They can do that. You need to have the contractor you want to use, talk to the adjuster. The insurance company WILL work with them, and WILL pay the increased amounts (as long as they are reasonable), up to the policy limit, AS your house is being rebuilt. You do NOT get more than the $120,000 if you're going to walk away and not rebuild. That amount is low, probably on purpose. Don't forget, you have to factor your deductible into all this mess, too.
2016-04-08 23:00:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn in the claim to your insurance company - tell them the other insurance company isn't responding. Your company might pay the claim, then they will go after the other guy
2007-12-12 07:16:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can file a claim with your own insurance company for the tree, but that's probably going to be under the deductible.
The other person's company doesn't have to respond to you, you aren't their client. You sue the responsible party and they may choose to notify their insurer, they may fight it or they could simply pay it. Without going the next step here though, I doubt you will ever get a call back from American Freedom Insurance.
2017-04-10 15:56:39 · answer #6 · answered by Casey Y 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your neighbor to civil court...they will make him pay your court costs and make him pay your damages. You must prove your case so keep all records re:his ins co., his phone calls or letters etc. Be prepared to WIN! Good luck
sorry so have such a sorry neighbor...don't accept it! The courts will take you more seriously if you go through the system....those TV Courts though bonding..makes it look like you're trying just to get on T.V.
2007-12-12 06:35:47 · answer #7 · answered by Carol (Yeah I said it!) G. 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have no idea why you are going to their insurance firm.
sue the other person in small claims
court. AND make sure that you
file a police report.
2007-12-12 06:27:59 · answer #8 · answered by kemperk 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Take them to small claims court or call Judge Judy. She once had similar tree-destroying-neighbor case.
2007-12-12 06:28:15 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They have no obligation to respond to you. You will have to sue the person that did the damage directly.
2007-12-12 06:42:38 · answer #10 · answered by mamatohaley+1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋