Questions about insurance claims and tenant liability

[Freeman Schultz]

I had a discussion with a colleague about a tenant who damaged their apartment. Tenant flooded a unit, which caused damage to the unit below. Insurance is called in. Does inspection and the estimate is higher than the deductible. The net payment is a little more than half the estimate.

My questions are the following:

Does the tenant forfeit their security deposit if the cost of repairs is higher than the net payment?

Does the landlord or insurance company file a claim with the tenant's insurance?

If the net amount that the insurance company is offering covers the costs of repairs, is there any point to go after

the security deposit or involve the tenant's insurance company?

[Kim Meredith Hampton]

@Freeman Schultz I would file on the tenants insurance first, and then and only if they don't cover, then file on their own owner insurance policy. As always, if the damage is minimal, don't file on your insurance at all, pay the expenseyourself and then claim on the tenants security deposit.