Comments on: Nationwide has denied my homeowners insurance claim-what can I do next?

By: Roll Off Danville

Roll Off Danville — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:18:36 +0000

Home insurance covers lots of different things. I don’t understand all the fine print of my policy, but my home insurance agent is always a phone call away. Try contacting your agent or a agent in your city. They should be able to assist you.

By: Roll Off Amarillo

Roll Off Amarillo — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:02:57 +0000

Ask Nationwide to send you a copy of the engineers report.

Your policy does not cover improper construction.

Since we can’t see your house and we can’t see the engineers report we can’t tell you if their denial is valid or not.

So, the first place to start is by getting a copy of the engineers report. I know that when ever I send an engineer out, I give the insured photocopy of the report.

Then if you want to – you can get an engineer of your own to inspect the home (about 150 per hour in my area). Or call your local building codes office. See if the county building inspector is able to come out and offer an opinion.

**not legal advice. Only a lawyer can give legal advice.

By: Contractor Insurance Chicago IL

Contractor Insurance Chicago IL — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:08:15 +0000

contact a public adjuster and let them fight with the insurance company for you. they will be able to send out an adjuster who will be able to determine the cause of your damage and prove it to the insurance company. the proof of loss is in the hand of the policy owner and you have to prove to the insurance company that ike was the cause of your headaches

By: Roll Off Yonkers

Roll Off Yonkers — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:23:33 +0000

OK, the code bit is irrelevant, sorry.

The big question is, what exactly did Ike DO to cause these problems? It’s highly unusual to have hurricane damage to a ridge beam, unless the roof has been torn off. A little out of whack, sounds more like SETTLING.

Hurricane Ike pulled an entire WALL off my house in Galveston, and lifted it off it’s pilings. THAT is hurricane damage.

Anyway. To contest this claim, you’re going to have to hire your OWN engineer, to come out, and give you a formal, written report, with an opinion about what caused the damage. It’s probably going to cost you $5,000 to $10,000 for this. If THEY say faulty construction, settling, foundation issue, well, that’s still NOT going to be covered.

They’d have to say Ike, and THEN, you can complain in writing to your state insurance commissioner, and include a copy of your engineer’s report. And THEN, you can ALSO get Nationwide to reimburse you for that report, IF it’s really Ike.

By: Contractor Insurance San Antonio TX

Contractor Insurance San Antonio TX — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:41:48 +0000

This is what insurance companies do…it is pretty common for them to deny claims due to faulty construction of installation. This is why I do not do home warranties any more – I just save money to fix anything that goes wrong with my appliances and heater/ac.

BUT…the first thing you want to do is to contact your state insurance agency and file a complaint. Then get a lawyer.

By: Roll Off Denver

Roll Off Denver — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:57:40 +0000

Get an independant engineers report and consult your local housing officer also the construction firm if you can ,as this is a slur on their name.Do not sit back,go for the throat,if it is due to faulty construction ,you are still legally covered as your insurance should have inspected the house before insuring it.Take every avenue and use every tool you can think off.They will pay you to go away,the local radio and newspapers should be given this story as well.GOOD LUCK MY FRIEND,VICTORY TO THE LITTLE MAN I SAY.

By: Roll Off Rochester

Roll Off Rochester — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:54:10 +0000

If it was built to code in the 70’s and Nationwide insured it, they should cover it. I would take them to court and get what you deserve. Big insurance companies MEAN big headaches when trying to collect.

By: Roll Off Atlanta

Roll Off Atlanta — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:26:29 +0000

You’re going to have to sue them. Do not do ANY repairs without completely recording what was done and why. You will need your own engineer to do a complete evaluation of the building.

Contact a lawyer.