Re: storm damage- tree thru roof and another storm-rain p...

[Guest guest]

Mich,

I am not a professional claims adjuster, mold remediator, doctor, lawyer or

Indian chief. I am just someone who has been thru a challenging

experience with mold and an insurance claims adjuster ( or five) that were

woefully

ignorant of how to handle a water damaged claim. With their lack of

understanding that seemed to grow daily, so did mold. After letting it sit for

six weeks, Larry, Moe and Curly - who were recommended to us by our

insurer's broker, proceeded to cross contaminate our whole house as they

" remediated " . This was eight years ago and we ended up never going home again.

With that, I can't tell you what to do. But I can tell you what I would

do if this ever happened to me again.

If I had damage to my insured home and I was able to ascertain that

unaddressed moisture, microbial contaminants and construction dust were

adversely

impacting my health because of a claims adjuster's inadequacies in failing

to rescue an item in peril (my house):

1. I would get my claims adjuster's fax number.

2. I would immediately pull out my policy and look at the amount I have for

loss of use coverage, sometimes called Assisted Living Expense (ALE) This

is the money an insurer is obligated to pay for one to reside outside of

the insured property until it may be made habitable again.

3. I would fax my adjuster the page from my policy showing my ALE. I

would fax him a picture of the problem. I would fax him a statement that I was

not feeling well. My home makes me cough. There is water intrusion,

visible and aromatic microbial growth, and construction dust.

4. I would tell my claims adjuster he needs to find somewhere for me to go,

since my home is not habitable to me from moisture, microbial contaminants

and construction dust.

5. I would ask my claims adjuster to put it into writing of how he intends

to handle this aspect of adjusting the claim of quickly finding a place for

me to live; and how he intends to pay for this.

6. I would ask for a copy of the insurer's manual that directs how water

damage claims are adjusted. (I most likely would not get it. But my insurer

would know that I was aware they are SUPPOSE to have one and are SUPPOSE

to follow it)

7. Then, I would get out.

8. I would always follow up any conversation with my adjuster in writing.

9. And...I would go hire a professional claims adjuster to handle the

claim.

10. I would get lots of recommendations before I hired anyone.

11. And I would make sure all understandings with all involved were always

documented in writing.

12. I would always be polite and professional in my correspondence and when

(ummmm..I mean if) they did not follow thru on promises or answer

questions I have previously asked - I would reiterate IN WRITING until I got an

answer, a follow thru, or a reason why not) I would not hold my breath

waiting for this, but I would have it in writing that I did what I was suppose

to

do...they did not.

Hopefully, your claims adjuster will be one who goes out of her way to make

everything right for you like a good neighbor would. Or good hands would.

I hear those types really do exist. I think I even saw it on a commercial

once.

Good luck,

Not a Professional in this, Sharon

[Guest guest]

thanks so much Sharon-

I am so sorry that your home was not handled the way it should have been. That

is my biggest fear right now.

Seems things are dragging on with this ALE- waiting for my hired PA to contact

the insur adjuster to see how they plan to pay for it... but the PA told a

family member since we have pets it changes things... so frustrating.

Good idea about requesting a copy of their own manual on adjusting water damage

claims- now that I have the PA maybe he could ask for that..

I just dont know what to do next about this water damage- someone said I should

not test for mold until the damage is accessed ... I just have no clue who to

hire to access this damage. The roof is not fixed yet..so will still leak.. it

is just such a mess.

things are moving way to slow for me... and even with the PA I feel like I need

to be more informed on what I should be doing...

>

> Mich,

>

> I am not a professional claims adjuster, mold remediator, doctor, lawyer or

> Indian chief. I am just someone who has been thru a challenging

> experience with mold and an insurance claims adjuster ( or five) that were

woefully

> ignorant of how to handle a water damaged claim. With their lack of

> understanding that seemed to grow daily, so did mold. After letting it sit

for

> six weeks, Larry, Moe and Curly - who were recommended to us by our

> insurer's broker, proceeded to cross contaminate our whole house as they

> " remediated " . This was eight years ago and we ended up never going home

again.

>

> With that, I can't tell you what to do. But I can tell you what I would

> do if this ever happened to me again.

>

> If I had damage to my insured home and I was able to ascertain that

> unaddressed moisture, microbial contaminants and construction dust were

adversely

> impacting my health because of a claims adjuster's inadequacies in failing

> to rescue an item in peril (my house):

>

> 1. I would get my claims adjuster's fax number.

>

> 2. I would immediately pull out my policy and look at the amount I have for

> loss of use coverage, sometimes called Assisted Living Expense (ALE) This

> is the money an insurer is obligated to pay for one to reside outside of

> the insured property until it may be made habitable again.

>

> 3. I would fax my adjuster the page from my policy showing my ALE. I

> would fax him a picture of the problem. I would fax him a statement that I

was

> not feeling well. My home makes me cough. There is water intrusion,

> visible and aromatic microbial growth, and construction dust.

>

> 4. I would tell my claims adjuster he needs to find somewhere for me to go,

> since my home is not habitable to me from moisture, microbial contaminants

> and construction dust.

>

> 5. I would ask my claims adjuster to put it into writing of how he intends

> to handle this aspect of adjusting the claim of quickly finding a place for

> me to live; and how he intends to pay for this.

>

> 6. I would ask for a copy of the insurer's manual that directs how water

> damage claims are adjusted. (I most likely would not get it. But my insurer

> would know that I was aware they are SUPPOSE to have one and are SUPPOSE

> to follow it)

>

> 7. Then, I would get out.

>

> 8. I would always follow up any conversation with my adjuster in writing.

>

> 9. And...I would go hire a professional claims adjuster to handle the

> claim.

>

> 10. I would get lots of recommendations before I hired anyone.

>

> 11. And I would make sure all understandings with all involved were always

> documented in writing.

>

> 12. I would always be polite and professional in my correspondence and when

> (ummmm..I mean if) they did not follow thru on promises or answer

> questions I have previously asked - I would reiterate IN WRITING until I got

an

> answer, a follow thru, or a reason why not) I would not hold my breath

> waiting for this, but I would have it in writing that I did what I was

suppose to

> do...they did not.

>

> Hopefully, your claims adjuster will be one who goes out of her way to make

> everything right for you like a good neighbor would. Or good hands would.

> I hear those types really do exist. I think I even saw it on a commercial

> once.

>

> Good luck,

>

> Not a Professional in this, Sharon

>

[Guest guest]

Mich, It may have been suggested before but I notice your talking about an

adjuster. If you are haveing ANY problem with insurance you need to talk to

Melinda Ballard. I believe she is still a member here and her sight is

www.policyholdersofamerica.org She has been instramental in getting help to

people with insurance issues. Her story is quite incredible itself. Make sure

and contact her. She can be a huge help. I dont have her email handy at the

moment but you can find her contact info on the sight as well. Make sure to

mention you are a member here. This is the best person I know for you to

contact.

Chris...

________________________________

From: mich2604 <mich2604@...>

Sent: Fri, July 16, 2010 12:37:14 AM

Subject: [] Re: storm damage- tree thru roof and another storm-rain

p...

 

thanks so much Sharon-

I am so sorry that your home was not handled the way it should have been. That

is my biggest fear right now.

Seems things are dragging on with this ALE- waiting for my hired PA to contact

the insur adjuster to see how they plan to pay for it... but the PA told a

family member since we have pets it changes things... so frustrating.

[Guest guest]

Mich,

We    had the same problem.  incompetent Ins adjusters and delays make it

all

worse.  Then the burden of proof is on you.  Which is why I suggested all I

did.  Pictures, pictures and more pictures.  Delays create more loss, so

inventory everything, every litle item in your home. It is a long process but

every single dollar adds up. Do it by room.    keep  pictures and

inventory in a

safe place.  Tarp the roof again and again if necessary to show you tried

to mitigate damages. 

They will send out 10 different people with no capacity what so ever. That is

why you inventory everything.  When the mold getts really bad, mostly nothing

can be saved sorry to say especially if you already have a health problem. (I am

guessing at that one). 

Write down all of your communications in a book for yourself with your

insurer. 

Keep records, dates & times you spoke and about what.  Take names of those who

come out.   Send them letters of I am waiting for you by fax and keep fax

confimation slips.

Get everything in writing from anyone, being your  PA or your Ins company. 

Respond in writing.  Phone coversations are hard to prove happened.  Document

everything.  DO NOT give your records to anyone. If they need something you

have

make a copy, give them the copy.  Very important you have records of

everything.

 I wish you and yours the best,

Six years later we are nowhere. Have nothing and are ill.  I believe you can

find a place to live yourself without the PA and then show it to him, what is

going to cost etc.. Rather than wait for him to look. 

Get out as soon as possible.  I know this is hard.  getting out if you have a

mortage is not easy if on your own. Even impossible.

 

Mayleen

________________________________

From: mich2604 <mich2604@...>

Sent: Fri, July 16, 2010 1:37:14 AM

Subject: [] Re: storm damage- tree thru roof and another storm-rain

p...

 

thanks so much Sharon-

I am so sorry that your home was not handled the way it should have been. That

is my biggest fear right now.

Seems things are dragging on with this ALE- waiting for my hired PA to contact

the insur adjuster to see how they plan to pay for it... but the PA told a

family member since we have pets it changes things... so frustrating.

Good idea about requesting a copy of their own manual on adjusting water damage

claims- now that I have the PA maybe he could ask for that..

I just dont know what to do next about this water damage- someone said I should

not test for mold until the damage is accessed ... I just have no clue who to

hire to access this damage. The roof is not fixed yet..so will still leak.. it

is just such a mess.

things are moving way to slow for me... and even with the PA I feel like I need

to be more informed on what I should be doing...