Mike
Radford,#2Consumer Suggestion
Tue, June 08, 2004
Insurance companies hate people who nitpick over minor damage and file small claims. They've decided that many of these cases are fraud, and if not they're still costing a lot of money. So if you file small claims, expect your insurance rate to go up at the least; often they will not renew your policy and blacklist your address so it is very hard to get insurance. And the blacklist persists to the next person who buys your house, making it very hard to sell your house as well. What a racket. Although it is completely wrong, homeowners must refrain from actually using their insurance except in case of a major loss. Get some estimates from independent contractors to put a dollar amount on the damage. Also take lots of pictures of the damage. You do not want this installation company in your house any more. They had their chance to make it right, and it's obvious they won't do so willingly. You just want the money to pay for the damage they caused. Small claims court may be the best way to go. If you involve your insurance company, they may help resolve it, but it could cost dearly.
Mike
Radford,#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, June 08, 2004
Insurance companies hate people who nitpick over minor damage and file small claims. They've decided that many of these cases are fraud, and if not they're still costing a lot of money. So if you file small claims, expect your insurance rate to go up at the least; often they will not renew your policy and blacklist your address so it is very hard to get insurance. And the blacklist persists to the next person who buys your house, making it very hard to sell your house as well. What a racket. Although it is completely wrong, homeowners must refrain from actually using their insurance except in case of a major loss. Get some estimates from independent contractors to put a dollar amount on the damage. Also take lots of pictures of the damage. You do not want this installation company in your house any more. They had their chance to make it right, and it's obvious they won't do so willingly. You just want the money to pay for the damage they caused. Small claims court may be the best way to go. If you involve your insurance company, they may help resolve it, but it could cost dearly.
Mike
Radford,#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, June 08, 2004
Insurance companies hate people who nitpick over minor damage and file small claims. They've decided that many of these cases are fraud, and if not they're still costing a lot of money. So if you file small claims, expect your insurance rate to go up at the least; often they will not renew your policy and blacklist your address so it is very hard to get insurance. And the blacklist persists to the next person who buys your house, making it very hard to sell your house as well. What a racket. Although it is completely wrong, homeowners must refrain from actually using their insurance except in case of a major loss. Get some estimates from independent contractors to put a dollar amount on the damage. Also take lots of pictures of the damage. You do not want this installation company in your house any more. They had their chance to make it right, and it's obvious they won't do so willingly. You just want the money to pay for the damage they caused. Small claims court may be the best way to go. If you involve your insurance company, they may help resolve it, but it could cost dearly.
Mike
Radford,#5Consumer Suggestion
Tue, June 08, 2004
Insurance companies hate people who nitpick over minor damage and file small claims. They've decided that many of these cases are fraud, and if not they're still costing a lot of money. So if you file small claims, expect your insurance rate to go up at the least; often they will not renew your policy and blacklist your address so it is very hard to get insurance. And the blacklist persists to the next person who buys your house, making it very hard to sell your house as well. What a racket. Although it is completely wrong, homeowners must refrain from actually using their insurance except in case of a major loss. Get some estimates from independent contractors to put a dollar amount on the damage. Also take lots of pictures of the damage. You do not want this installation company in your house any more. They had their chance to make it right, and it's obvious they won't do so willingly. You just want the money to pay for the damage they caused. Small claims court may be the best way to go. If you involve your insurance company, they may help resolve it, but it could cost dearly.
Jonathan
Marina,#6Consumer Comment
Mon, June 07, 2004
To say the damage was intentional and that it is not covered sounds like a dodge to me. Of course the installers had to intentionally drill but they did not intentionally try to damage your house (I am presuming this). The installers business liability insurance is to cover damage done as the result of work done by the policyholder, in this case, the installer. Farmers may be trying to intimidate you but report this to your Home Owners insurance agent and s/he should bring the weight of your insurance company to bear to get Farmers to do what it is suppose to do. You may also want to contact your state's Dept. of Insurance. From what you have reported Farmers has to pay since the damage was accidental. Also, since the incident occurred when the installer was an employee and was covered at the time of the incident Farmers still has to honor its responsibilities. This is based upon what you have written.
Jonathan
Marna,#7Consumer Suggestion
Mon, June 07, 2004
Dawn, contact the insurance agent who handles your Home Owner's policy. Explain the details of what occurred. S/he should tell you how to proceed. Since insurance laws vary from state to state I have no way of giving you specific advice but your insurance company may pay for the repairs and then go after the installers' insurance company (this is falls under subrogation). The company with the 586 area code may still be held liable as well (once aain, check with your agent). Please post what happens.