- Report: #1243751
Complaint Review: Homefirst Agency - Internet
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Homefirst Agency
Internet, USA
Phone:
8653803134
Web:
https://homefirstagency.com/
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Homefirst Agency Let the nightmare continue... Maryville Tennessee
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This complaint is in regards to the Homefirst Insurance Agency located in Maryville, Tennessee, and their failure to honor our homeowners insurance claim. This is also our second claim with them. They denied the first one for water damage a year ago, but reversed their decision only after we complained to the BBB of northeast Tennessee. We live in a manufactured home that we bought brand new in 2008 from Clayton Homes. We just discovered water damage to a wall and ceiling in a bedroom in our house. This room has black mold on the ceiling where it meets the interior wall, and both areas are soft to the touch indicating that water has gotten inside the wall. We have had several very heavy rains from recent storms, and it's obvious that this has contributed to the problem because the mold appears to be new, and we haven't had any mold damage on any of our other ceilings previously. Our claim was denied by Homefirst because they said the damage was caused by "wear and tear" and the age of the roof. They also mentioned that there was some algae build up inside the gutters. However, the gutters are cleaned 3 times a year with the most recent cleaning being done just two months ago...to make sure there was nothing to block them. This home is only 7 years old and the roof should normally be expected to last longer than that. Therefore we strongly disagree with the reason for denial of our claim, and expect the Homefirst Agency to honor our contract with them and provide coverage for the damage. It is urgent that whatever repairs that are needed, be made in a timely and professional manner to prevent any further damage to our home. That's why we pay extra every month for homeowner insurance, right along with our mortgage payment. But I also now realize that insurance companies are in business to make money and will often deny claims such as ours that are legitimate.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Denial Of Claim For Bogus Reasons
#2Author of original report
Sat, August 15, 2015
Yesterday I was informed by Homefirst Agency that my claim for storm related damage was denied. Below is a quick summary of my contact with this company.
Recently after 2 weeks of heavy storms hit my area, I discovered a small amount of mold on the ceiling of a bedroom in my home. There was also evidence of some water damage to the wall below that area. I immediately contacted HomeFirst Agency to submit a claim, and they had the roof inspected. The inspector informed us that there was some normal "wear and tear" to the roof (which is only 7 years old) but that the roof was otherwise in good shape. Upon closer observation of the damaged area on the inside of the house...the inspector told us it was obvious that the recent storms along with heavy winds, had most likely forced water under the roof shingles, therefore causing the " sudden and direct peril" as stated in our homeowners policy. Regardless of this, our claim was denied with several excuses that had absolutely nothing to do with our claim. The estimate to repair the damage was about $1800.00--which included repairing the leak to the roof, and replacing the damaged drywall and ceiling insulation. This is a reasonable estimate for the amount of work required--and it's apparent that the Homefirst Agency is not being responsible nor ethical in honoring their homeowners contract with us.
Prospective customers should be aware that Homefirst Agency of Maryville, Tennessee is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, which also owns Clayton Manufactured Homes, which is where we bought our home. So is Vanderbilt Mortgage, which holds the mortgage on our home. This was not disclosed to us when we signed the final contract to purchase, so we could look elsewhere for homewoners insurance.
