Fire 3 days after closing- Insurance doesn't want to pay!

Fire 3 days after closing- Insurance doesn't want to pay!

Member since 2017 · 3 posts · 0 votes

Hello Bigger Pocket family. I recently purchased a 6 unit property. Within 5 days of closing on property. My on staff maintenance worker went to fix a radiator leak in the property. He was removing a radiator valve with a hand saw, the saw made a spark, the wall paper caught fire and within 5 minutes.. the fire spread in this 120 year old building. 3 apartments were damaged $170,000. After an investigation by the fire marshalls and 3 private fire investigators. It was deemed an accident. Now, the insurance company has decided they do not want to pay the claim. The property had a vacancy stipulation on the policy that allows for the property to be vacant. 5 units were vacant, the last family had not moved out at the time of the fire. They were do out the following weekend. Im trying to see if I have a claim against the insurance agency. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

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Investor · Edwardsville, IL · Member since 2015 · 432 posts · 481 votes
7y

@Lenor Sherman Since you are out $170,000 I would suggest hiring an experienced attorney that is use to fighting with insurance companies. Beware it may takes years to settle.

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  • Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    Yikes!

    Update us please.

    Good luck!

  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    7y

    Why are they saying they won't pay?  I'm glad no one was hurt.

  • Investor · Edwardsville, IL · Member since 2015 · 432 posts · 481 votes
    7y

    @Lenor Sherman Since you are out $170,000 I would suggest hiring an experienced attorney that is use to fighting with insurance companies. Beware it may takes years to settle.

  • Tom GimerBusiness Member
    DMV · Member since 2017 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    Of course insurance doesn’t want to pay. They are in the business of finding reasons to disclaim coverage (to not pay a claim). Take your paperwork to a local attorney who specializes in “insurance coverage litigation”. 

    Sounds to me based on sparse facts presented that the employee/agent with the hacksaw may be the real problem.

    Gimer Law516 Reviews
  • Jason BottPro Member
    Insurance Agent · Nationwide · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Lenor Sherman:

    Hello Bigger Pocket family. I recently purchased a 6 unit property. Within 5 days of closing on property. My on staff maintenance worker went to fix a radiator leak in the property. He was removing a radiator valve with a hand saw, the saw made a spark, the wall paper caught fire and within 5 minutes.. the fire spread in this 120 year old building. 3 apartments were damaged $170,000. After an investigation by the fire marshalls and 3 private fire investigators. It was deemed an accident. Now, the insurance company has decided they do not want to pay the claim. The property had a vacancy stipulation on the policy that allows for the property to be vacant. 5 units were vacant, the last family had not moved out at the time of the fire. They were do out the following weekend. Im trying to see if I have a claim against the insurance agency. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

     Lenor, I would suggest contacting a Public Adjuster in your area.  A Public Adjuster takes the place of the insurance carriers adjuster.  

    They will work to settle the claim with your interests in mind, not the insurance carriers.  Please keep in mind they will typically charge 10%-20% of the claim as a fee.

    If your insurance agent is an independent agent, they should know a few they can refer you too.  

    Good Luck with it.

  • Member since 2017 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    7y

    I have an adjuster. They are stringing him along.

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