Homeowners insurance?

[Tdog]

Any tbn’ers out there that went through storms in Florida or the Gulf Coast in the last few years? I’m interested in your experiences with your insurance companies & FEMA. I have yet to hear from an adjuster, although I do have a claim filed. I’ve also filed with FEMA although I’m not sure what they can/will do.

I’m lucky compared to what you see in New Orleans or the Mississippi coast. I had no flooding, but I do have a gazillion trees uprooted. Many huge pine, oak & hickory trees are down, leaving gigantic rootballs in the air & holes in the ground. As I understand it, homeowners insurance will not pay to have any of these trees cleared. They only pay if the tree hits a structure. I had a few small trees on the house with minimal damage. My major damage was from the wind which pealed off ~~75% of my metal roof. I also had many trees crush sections of my fencing. I immediately patched the fence so that dogs could go out & the horse could be turned out. I’ve been cutting up the downed trees & piling up the debris to burn or have hauled off. You have no idea how much there is. It’s a nice workout for the BX-22, but those rootballs are way beyond what I can handle.

If any of you had damage during the past few hurricane seasons, I’d be interested in hearing your experiences.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Cowboyjg]

Tdog....I'm a builder down south of Tampa and although I didn't have any damage to my home I have dealt with people who have. The stories vary greatly regarding response from both entities. You're right about the trees and you Ins. Co.....Fema on the other hand may participate as may the local government where you are. Don't be impatient for a response as it could be some time. Typically they deal with the hardest hit first. I can tell you though that there are MANY land owners in and around my area that still have trees laying over on thier property. Some because it is immaterial and they aren't hurting anything some because they can't afford to get them cut and removed. For many, particularly when there is no other damage, it becomes thier headache. It sounds, all things considered, like you were fortunate.

Best of luck in your efforts.

 

[Tdog]

Cowboyjg,

THanks for the tbn reply. Here's another question you may have information on. As my metal roofing and ridgevent was ripped off, we took a fair amount of rain in the attic & water through the ceilings in most of our rooms. If the insulation got wet, will the ins companies pay to have that replaced? Or since it is now dry just say no harm, no foul?

You're right, we were extremely lucky here. Not so with too many of my best friends.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Glenn9643]

Jack,

I had a tree blow over onto my home about six years ago that damaged the shingles on about half the house and did a little bit of structural damage.
Farm Bureau paid for all repairs to the house and a few hundred for the tree. I didn't have water damage, but if there was it would have been covered unless from flooding. Keep in mind that this was in Mississippi, not Louisiana. Each state has its own rules and commissions that govern insurance policies and since I've been here I've found things are different in many areas.

 

[Cowboyjg]

Now you get into the area that involves the ins co. Here in Fl there are 3 primary coverages available. Homeowners, Wind and Flood. Each of these is separate in what they will be responsible for and will not duplicate coverage. Not being sure how you are covered let's me answer only form an "If it happened to me here" perspective.

In your example, here where I am, The repairs to the roof as a result of the wind would fall under one policy. The damage from the water infiltration...ie; wet insulation ruined drywall and personal items would be another. If there was damage as the result of flooding, that would be another.

You may also find that your carrier will try to give you less than what you deserve based on market value and other influences. It might be in your best interest to find a private adjuster to talk to. Keep in mind thier service is not free. I had a client who suffered from Charley and fought tooth and nail with thier carrier to get what was right. They eventually had to go to a private adjuster which cost 10% of the new amount. The new amount was almost $40,000 difference. You be the judge. As has been suggested the laws of your state may dictate different circumstances. Endless and constant communication with your carrier and other officials will be needed to be sure you don't fall thru the cracks. You'all are gonna be dealing with this for some time so be patient but be steadfast.

Disclaimer: Any advice contained above is derived from personal experience. You should seek the direction of professionals in your state for help specific to your circumstance.

 

[Unclebuck257]

Tdog,

The rain damage caused by the metal roof being ripped off in the storm should be covered under your insurance policy. By that I mean the damaged skeet rock in the ceilings and also replacing the insulation, even though both may now have dried out. Once wet, neither is good anymore. Depending on what type of policy you have, ie; a form of an HO policy or like here in Texas, we also have a Fire and Extended Coverage policy, your contents that were water damaged may also be covered. You haven't provided enough info on your policy to make a guess on that, and as has already been said, different states have different ins regulations too.

I'd give the adjusters more time. I'm sure your ins co has already sent in staff property adjusters and also probably brought in an independent company of cat adjusters who specialize in large catastrophies and property settlements. They definitely try and get to the worst first, and with the magnatude of this storm's damage, it may take a couple of months to get to see you. Every cat adjuster I know and staff property adjuster is working 20 hour days/ 6-7 days a week right now.

Those uprooted trees in the pasture will not be covered, so just start cutting them up and give yourself something to do regarding the damage you received.

Oh, and hiring a "Public Adjuster" as was suggested won't get you a settlement any quicker. I'd hold off on that until you see what type, amount, of settlement your ins co. offers you. In some instances the public adjuster has his/her place, if your state allows them, but until you know what you're dealing with, you don't know IF you need one. Most people do not!

 

[Tdog]

Thanks all.

My HO ins should be OK - - I'm with State Farm. Don't have or need flood ins. My water damage was all through the roof.

I have a number of trees down on my pasture & yard fence - - sure hope ins helps out there. However, I cannot leave those trees in place - - I've got to patch the fence for dogs & horse.