Once again I beg you - Check your homeowners policy

[Deep South Cruisers]

Well here we are some 4 months after the fire and I continue to learn about the tactics big companies like Allstate use to keep from settling up on the policies I paid for... Good hands my ASS.

They just DENIED to pay for my housing for the month until I sign a contract to buy or build a house. They still owe me $107,000 for contents and $30,000 for structure and they wont pay me a $300.00 housing payment.

IF the little house I was living in wasn't MINE we would be on the street.

You have GOT to be FxxxING KIDDING ME

 

[Atticus]

Well here we are some 4 months after the fire and I continue to learn about the tactics big companies like Allstate use to keep from settling up on the policies I paid for... Good hands my ASS.

They just DENIED to pay for my housing for the month until I sign a contract to buy or build a house. They still owe me $107,000 for contents and $30,000 for structure and they wont pay me a $300.00 housing payment.

IF the little house I was living in wasn't MINE we would be on the street.

You have GOT to be FxxxING KIDDING ME

I'd get a lawyer to help at this point. Sometimes a little pressure helps speed up the process.

Sorry for the frustration. Good luck, man.

 

[Biff]

Wow, that really sucks. I have allstate and my agent keeps telling me that I have enough coverage, I alwayis trust him to tell me the truth.

 

[Deep South Cruisers]

four months

Man I don't want to deal with the lawyers, BUT I'm betting it wont be hard to find somebody willing to go after them.

 

[Deep South Cruisers]

I'd get a lawyer to help at this point. Sometimes a little pressure helps speed up the process.

Sorry for the frustration. Good luck, man.

It's not so much the dollar amounts as the stalling and the lying about a check in the mail. Six weeks ago they approved the contents list and agreed to pay $107k STILL no check and now they want to argue over $300

 

[cary]

I know it doesn't help, but Allstate is notorious for being a pain in the ass to deal with when it comes to processing claims. If they are really denying $100,000+ in claims, it is time to get counsel that practices insurance coverage law to get them to pony up.

Just a note about homeowners. In California (I know the OP is outside CA) AAA is probably the best homeowners insurance company. They are the only company last I checked that offers unlimited rebuild costs. I.e., they say your house will cost $200,000 to rebuild and it costs $700,000, they pay it. Also, AAA has unlimited firearms coverage as a standard part of their policy. Yes their rates are slightly higher, but when you factor in these items, it makes it worth it.

 

[Deep South Cruisers]

I feel the same, the increased monthly cost is justified if they actually take care of you and pay in a timely manner. IF I had the policy you described we would already have a new house framed.

 

[TJDIV]

Jerry...and attorney can now add additional costs and suffering charges.

I'd get one and base your hiring of him/her on additional funds collected, etc.


Don't be afraid to nail insurance for all they're worth. That system is going to get a s*** ton worse before it gets ANY better from a regulatory stand point.


Call an independent agent and ask them if they could refer a good attorney for your situation.

 

[fsusteve]

I'd get a lawyer to help at this point. Sometimes a little pressure helps speed up the process.

Sorry for the frustration. Good luck, man.

Yeah, it sucks but having been thru several hurricanes lately and seeing everyones frustration I think this is becoming the only route anymore. They'll pay....after they're threatened legally. Wilma was what six, seven months ago and there is still alot of folks waiting on checks here. And from what I've seen all carriers are basically the same as to their service, I've heard horror stories on all of them here.

 

[BOUNDER]

Well here we are some 4 months after the fire and I continue to learn about the tactics big companies like Allstate use to keep from settling up on the policies I paid for... Good hands my ASS.

They just DENIED to pay for my housing for the month until I sign a contract to buy or build a house. They still owe me $107,000 for contents and $30,000 for structure and they wont pay me a $300.00 housing payment.

IF the little house I was living in wasn't MINE we would be on the street.

You have GOT to be FxxxING KIDDING ME

1. You are sooo right. I work with attorneys all day so I know this game. First, if you have a discounted legal plan at work, TAKE IT! Many companies offer legal plans like they do dental or health plans. If you don't , ASK FOR IT. Maybe $15/m comes out of you check - won't miss it and then you pick up a phone. MY extended family can also take part. I'm currently kicking Discover Card in the nutz using this.

2. Find an insurance attorney make a call for you - find someone inexpensive - they are out there. Try here: www.findlaw.com (largest legal portal on the internet - powered by Thomson West Law.) Lots of info and also locate attorneys based on practice area. Play hard ball and enjoy doing so.
Good luck.

 

[mikeacs]

Yea, they also told me I was not in a flood plain last year when I renewed my policy, Just 30 days before Katrina put 7' of saltwater in my house.

 

[Gumby]

Allstate does have good agents that help you out on questions and little stuff, but when you actually need to make a claim, everything goes to corperate and you're fawked.

I fawkin HATE Allstate after two accidents (not at fault) and a big home robbery.

They suck ass.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

And don't be afraid about burning bridges if you lawyer up. Friend had to claim a broken water main on his home owner's policy, $25k. Allstate covered it and dropped him immediately after.

 

[Gumby]

They dropped me too. They got sued over all the people they dropped and lost.

 

[Liam]

Insurance compianes are the biggest "legal" scam in the fxxxing world. You HAVE to have insurance, but they dont HAVE to pay you when something fxxxs up or at least they try not to........

Biggest fxxxing racket........

 

[Deep South Cruisers]

I only wanted my policy limits I paid for even if it wouldn't replace the house.

 

[LongIsland60]

Insurance compianes are the biggest "legal" scam in the fxxxing world. You HAVE to have insurance, but they dont HAVE to pay you when something fxxxs up or at least they try not to........

Biggest fxxxing racket........

You don't HAVE to have insurance... where did you get that information from?

I do agree that they are some of the slyest, weaseliest companies/folks around.

I have had my share of run-ins with an adjuster after I got hit by a car - I was riding my bicycle and a fawker ran me over. I was on the shoulder. Stupid bitch told me that I should claim my bike (worth about $1200) through my own homeowner's insurance. I lost it right there.

 

[mikeacs]

If you have a mortgage, you Have to have insurance. Drop it and see how quickly the bank calls....

 

[Doc]

If you have a mortgage, you Have to have insurance. Drop it and see how quickly the bank calls....

Yep, true here. My mortage company keeps selling my mortgage, everytime the insurance information gets 'lost' I keep getting letters about how they are going to start charging me $560/mo for insurance if I don't get my own (which, by the way, is more than my house payment!) .

We're also required to have auto coverage, and you'll get a ticket for it if you get in an accident without coverage.

 

[e9999]

I and many others lost a house in a big fire. Had very extensive and unpleasant dealings with Allstate. They played with us for a year, that must have amused them besides saving them a ton of $$. But when I got a lawyer finally involved, they settled in a matter of days...

"Good hands"? ah!