by lindsayt26 » Sun Feb 22, 2009 03:43 pm
HELP! I have severe damage to my entire home from a busted pipe. My homeowner insurance adjuster will not return my phone calls. Just yesterday i received a check in the mail and it is barely enough to cover the repairs. I was wondering if anyone can offer advice as to how to get more money to cover my personal things that were damaged. Is there some sort of letter format i need to follow if i write him a letter? I want to be a professional as possible. I am a young single female and im trying to take care of everything by myself....and the adjuster knows that...so, my guess is that he thinks im just going to accept his first offer...WRONG! I would greatly appreciate ANY advice anyone has to offer. Thank you so much in advance!!! Have a blessed day...
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 07:29 am Post Subject:
and the adjuster knows that...so, my guess is that he thinks im just going to accept his first offer...WRONG!
Right, you are not required to accept the first claim and therefore don't cash-in the check, instead, call up the claim department and demand to speak to the supervisor of the adjuster. IMO calling up to their office would yield better result then sending a mail.
I wonder if you have got a contractor to estimate the repair cost. Also, hasn't the adjuster been sent to the location to evaluate the worth of the loss?
~Jeremy
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 09:08 am Post Subject:
You are required to prepare hard to prove the worth of your claim. Yeah, got an estimate from a contractor in writing, collect the documents that would support your claim, make a video of the damages.
Have you lost personal belongings? Then you may have to make a list of the items lost along with the approximate costs (attach the receipts). You may also ask them to send across the evaluation statement and check for the errors. If you have to write a letter, emphasize on why you think the claim is low.
Hope the information helps.
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 04:29 am Post Subject:
Personally I'm not sure how to write an letter to an agent in these kind of situations. jeremy & jeorge have some important points. I think you should consider these points while writing a letter.
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:38 pm Post Subject:
Lindsay,
Your agent should be your advocate in this case. Talk to your agent first, explain the situation, and provide a copy of the repair estimate and a list of the personal items that were damaged. He or she can explain the basis of the amount of the claim check, and can most likely get the adjuster (or the adjuster's supervisor) on the phone.
Try that first. If your agent cannot help, post again, and one of us can give you more information on what to say in the letter.
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 05:25 am Post Subject:
I was wondering...if she can ask the insurance company to send her the statement of claim estimation. There could have been some errors in it. She could then point-out the misinformation (if any) and ask for re-evaluation of the claim.
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 01:15 pm Post Subject:
she can ask the insurance company to send her the statement of claim estimation. There could have been some errors in it.
Ya, I also think she can do that. It's worth trying.
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 08:16 am Post Subject:
It seems like the adjuster either poorly handled the claim or at least poorly informed you about the claim. Obviously if they sent you payment you must have coverage, so that should not be an issue. You stated that you had a pipe burst. Now the repairs to the pipe are most likely not covered but the resulting water damage would be covered.
You said that the money that they sent you didn’t cover the repairs, but then you said that you need more to cover damage to your personal things. The money that they sent is it for both your house repairs (minus the pipe) and contents (minus the deductible). Did your adjuster explain depreciation of items that may not be recoverable until repairs are made and items are replaced? Lots of questions without all of the information. I would agree, contact the adjuster or his supervisor. Don’t go off about not having enough money. Ask them how they arrived at the check amount and see if it makes sense. It may be that there are additional funds once items are replaced and the house fixed.
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