LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
Jun 26, 2014 23:17:22 GMT
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Post by LeaP on May 20, 2015 21:09:42 GMT
Oh man, this is a dystopian nightmare. Is is possible that there are regulations in your state that protect against this?
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Post by scrapApea on May 20, 2015 21:10:01 GMT
Yep they screwed YOU. WOW that's all WOW. Unbelievable. I'd be calling someone and going up the ladder on that one. Then I'd be searching for a new company.
Good luck.
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Post by ~Sherri~ on May 20, 2015 21:11:18 GMT
Who do you have your homeowner's insurance with?
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Post by pierkiss on May 20, 2015 21:20:45 GMT
Screw them! Time for a new company. And a scathing phone call until you get someone on the line who approves your claim and gets it fixed.
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Post by mom on May 20, 2015 21:21:23 GMT
I call BS on this, and would go up the ladder. If its so bad you need to fix it, then its so bad they should pay for it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 21:56:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2015 21:22:09 GMT
I would go through an appeal process and contact your state insurance board.
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Post by lancermom on May 20, 2015 21:22:13 GMT
We were dropped after two claims in 17 years. Our new place is less money a month with better coverage. Insurance can be a nightmare!
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MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,539
Jul 24, 2014 19:51:57 GMT
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Post by MerryMom on May 20, 2015 21:22:18 GMT
I wasn't sure what you meant by So was the denial that the insurance company wasn't going to replace your chimney (was that what you requested) OR did the company deny the claim based on it wasn't something that was covered: these are two very different things.
There is an appeal process, so submit your written appeal of the claim denial: adhere strictly to the deadlines.
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Post by bc2ca on May 20, 2015 21:22:24 GMT
I would appeal. There is obviously damage, so under what grounds are they denying the claim?
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MizIndependent
Drama Llama
Quit your bullpoop.
Posts: 5,836
Jun 25, 2014 19:43:16 GMT
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Post by MizIndependent on May 20, 2015 21:24:51 GMT
Definitely go further up the chain.
A few years ago, we got a notice from our insurance that we needed to replace the roof of our house...just, out of the blue. Our roof is fine so we ignored it.
A second notice arrived a couple of months later saying "replace it or we'll drop you". I called the local office and was all "WTH with these notices!" The local office was all "We have no idea."
They looked into it and it turns out that the home office in Buttstink, PA sent some drive-by assistant out to photo our property. From that photo they decided we needed to replace our roof (no actual inspection or anything, just a snapshot). The reason? "You have moss on your roof."
You can't swing a dead-cat in this town and not hit a house that has moss on it's roof...including the local insurance office - hello - this is OREGON! Geez.
We had a local roofer inspect it and they verified that we had at least 10 more years on it before we should consider replacing. We sent that to Buttstink, PA office and haven't heard a word from them since. Jerks.
Go up the chain, find someone that will listen.
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Post by hop2 on May 20, 2015 21:25:52 GMT
File an appeal in writing it's the only way to get any action.
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Montannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,486
Location: Big Sky Country
Jun 25, 2014 20:32:35 GMT
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Post by Montannie on May 20, 2015 21:26:27 GMT
Try checking with your State Insurance Commissioner. This is odd.
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Post by hdoublej on May 20, 2015 21:29:33 GMT
That's crazy! I would be looking for a new company!
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
Jul 8, 2014 20:17:31 GMT
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Post by scrapaddie on May 20, 2015 21:31:13 GMT
Was the chimney in good repair to begin with? What kind of damage was done?
I, too, hate insurance companies. One claim in 32 years and my insurance went up!
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Post by crimsoncat05 on May 20, 2015 21:31:15 GMT
Buttstink, PA??? lol!! OP: I would appeal, too-- are they trying to say the damage wasn't incurred from the storm, it's just wear and tear, or something like that??
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 21:56:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2015 22:01:24 GMT
We had shingle damage from a major hail storm. They dropped the chimney thing on us. Didn't even know it was an issue. File an appeal. Insurance companies are known for denying the first claim. Follow the procedure 100%. Be proactive.
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Post by momof3pits on May 20, 2015 22:03:45 GMT
That's insane! I would be furious!!
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Post by susans sister on May 20, 2015 22:36:10 GMT
My Minister once told me that Hell will be dealing with insurance companies 24/7.
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Post by snowsilver on May 20, 2015 22:55:30 GMT
Before we call out the lynch party on the insurance company, we probably need all the facts. If I'm reading the OP correctly, she had shingle damage from a hail storm. She sent photos in to prove it. Insurance company denied coverage (I'd like to understand their reasoning on this as hail is usually a covered peril). While looking at the photos they noted the chimney was in disrepair. A totally separate issue. Because chimneys in disrepair can cause total fires, (which the company would have to pay out on) they are requesting that the chimney be repaired. A perfectly reasonable request it seems to me.
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Post by nurseypants on May 20, 2015 23:12:21 GMT
I spent a week in Buttstink, PA several years ago. It's just adjacent to Hershey; they are connected by the Hershey Highway. Buttstink has several attractions for singles, couples and families. There is a breakfast joint in town called Flatus A Pancake. The house specialty is, of course, Shit on a Shingle. A small space-themed amusement park, called Seven Flags over Uranus, is just off the interstate. The main attraction is the old-timey wooden roller coaster, called the Belly Flop.
Sorry, I just had to. It was something inside my body that had to get out.
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Post by penny on May 20, 2015 23:21:30 GMT
Before we call out the lynch party on the insurance company, we probably need all the facts. If I'm reading the OP correctly, she had shingle damage from a hail storm. She sent photos in to prove it. Insurance company denied coverage (I'd like to understand their reasoning on this as hail is usually a covered peril). While looking at the photos they noted the chimney was in disrepair. A totally separate issue. Because chimneys in disrepair can cause total fires, (which the company would have to pay out on) they are requesting that the chimney be repaired. A perfectly reasonable request it seems to me. That's how read it too... The timing sucks, but they just let you know that you have a serious safety issue with your home... There's something to be grateful for...
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Nicole in TX
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,951
Jun 26, 2014 2:00:21 GMT
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Post by Nicole in TX on May 20, 2015 23:24:09 GMT
Buttstink, PA??? lol!! I think that is near my house. That is the most ridiculous thing I have every heard. I would go up the chain and hire a lawyer if necessary.
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Post by eebud on May 20, 2015 23:27:29 GMT
Before we call out the lynch party on the insurance company, we probably need all the facts. If I'm reading the OP correctly, she had shingle damage from a hail storm. She sent photos in to prove it. Insurance company denied coverage (I'd like to understand their reasoning on this as hail is usually a covered peril). While looking at the photos they noted the chimney was in disrepair. A totally separate issue. Because chimneys in disrepair can cause total fires, (which the company would have to pay out on) they are requesting that the chimney be repaired. A perfectly reasonable request it seems to me. This is what it sounds like to me too. OP, are you saying that the chimney issue is also due to the storm? Insurance companies are not responsible for normal maintenance on a home. If the chimney issue is not part of the storm, they are not going to cover it. As for the roof, what was their reason for not covering it? I had some hail damage once but it only affected some shingles. It didn't total the whole roof. My deductible was higher than the damage so the claim was denied. I would have loved to have gotten a new roof out of it because the roof was coming close to the end of its life. But, it was legitimate for insurance to only be willing to fix what was caused by the storm and that amount was less than the deductible.
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,883
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on May 20, 2015 23:45:20 GMT
Insurance scumbags! I would definitely appeal. I hope you get them to pay for repair.
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Post by lumo on May 20, 2015 23:45:50 GMT
That's a load of horseshit right there.
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,662
Jun 25, 2014 19:33:19 GMT
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Post by Rhondito on May 21, 2015 0:16:39 GMT
So the storm didn't cause chimney damage? It just needs repair from normal wear and tear?
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Post by jloubier on May 21, 2015 0:47:42 GMT
I will probably get flamed for saying this but, I honestly think that home insurance is one of the biggest money scam going. They love taking your money as long as you don't put in a claim. And, if you have the gall to put in a claim, they will find some excuse in the 20+ pages of exemptions not to pay.
OK, flame away......
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 21:56:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2015 1:05:23 GMT
Yes, it is common for insurance companies to want you to keep your home in good condition, and will drop you as a customer if you do not. My insurance company is currently telling us that we need to have our ENTIRE roof replaced because a portion of it is old (and I disagree that it is old or in poor condition). My sister is an insurance adjuster and has had to drop customers because their home was in disrepair.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 21:56:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2015 1:05:57 GMT
A chimney cannot cause a fire when the home does not even have an existing fire place. No, but it could break, damage your roof, or cause water damage to your attic. And then you'd file a claim for THOSE damages.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 21:56:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2015 1:09:21 GMT
True. But why is it that had I not sent in pictures, they would never have cared what my chimney looks like? We keep our home in good repair and freshly painted, maintained, etc. If the chimney is damaged, it's not really in good repair, is it? Insurance companies don't care about fresh paint. Yes, it sucks that you were the one to bring it to their attention!
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