Below is the coverage from our insurance for Loss of Rents. We own a side by side duplex and had a major fire caused by the tenant at unit A. There are no issues getting loss of Rents on the fire unit.
Unit B was vacant 14 days before the fire. We had just finished painting, etc. and had the unit advertised for rent. Unit B had substantial smoke damage and over $30k in repairs to be done to get unit available to rent. We did not have the funds to repair unit B.
The funds were received from the insurance company 2.5 months after the fire. There is still a supplemental claim for items missed that we are still waiting for approval. The restoration company will not start work until the claim is finalized.
The insurance company only wants to pay us one month of loss of rent for Unit B.
The insurance company obviously gave you a reason for only wanting to pay for one month lost rent. What was that reason?
I suspect the wording "We pay only for the period of time reasonably required to make that part fit for occupancy" is what they are hanging on. Basically, Part B could have been repaired in one month. They view the fact that your restoration company will not start work until the claim is finalized as being between you and them. Many companies will do the work and get paid from the insurance company after.
The claims representative for for the insurance company said it would take one month to get the repairs done because it is just "cleaning and painting" per the claims adjuster hired by the insurance company. TThere is more to the repairs than cleaning and painting. There is the replacing of the front door and frame busted down fire department, removal and replacement of attic insulation, cleaning of HVAC and ducts, replacing of carpets, cleaning and painting.
They think the repairs can be done in 30 days. What about the loss of rent for the 2.5 months from time of fire until receipt of the first claims check?
The companies here are not starting the the work until they know what repairs the insurance company has agreed to and the amount and we have a signed contract.
It stinks, but I doubt you will get more from the insurance company, I would work to do the best you can with what you have and prioritize getting the unit rent ready rather than fighting with insurance.
Insurance is not meant to make us 100% whole and they have big incentives to minimize payouts.
It's bad timing that the unit was not yet rented, becuase if it had been occupied they would have paid to get them in a hotel or different living arrangement and probably would have prioritized getting them back in their home, and the tenant would still be paying rent, and their renters insurance might offset some costs, but with no tenant it is a little different.
These expensive things come up, but luckily not too often. Carry on!
Odd thing about the insurance wording, it sounds like they believe you live on one side and rent out the other (homeowners policy). Are they aware that both sides are rented (landlord policy)?
As for those repairs, there is no doubt that they can be done in 30 days. Planned right, it can all get done in 7-10 days with overlapping trades.