Help... an insurance nightmare

[frederic79]

This is what is happening with me on my homeowners insurance. I welcome any advice on this issue because it is getting complicated. We had 14 inches of Gulf in our home.
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I contacted my insurance company about a week after Katrina hit. They soon called back to tell me an adjuster from a subcontracted company would meet me at my house on September 20 at 1PM. I arranged to be off work that day to meet him there. He did a thorough and professional inspection of the home, roofs, shop and yard. He took measurements and detailed the items he was hoping to cover. I was very optimistic regarding a fair settlement. He said I should hear something in 5-7 days.

Actually, it was almost a month before I found the business card for another adjuster from the same subcontracted company on the door of my home. He could not be reached until October 17. He told me that the first adjuster was “posing as an adjuster but wasn’t who he said he was” and “we did a background check”. He told me it was obvious I had flood damage (I disputed that definition clearly) and my policy was for wind damage. He mentioned the roof being covered and I asked him what happened to the information I turned in to begin with (an exhaustive collection of documentation, pictures and layout of home in a notebook). He said it was not available and a re-inspection was required. I told him because we began construction right after the first adjuster left, it would be impossible to prove the items I turned in to start with. I told him I was uncomfortable with a reinspection. I also told him my investment in documentation, photos and inventory was wasted and I couldn’t take any more days off work. I told him this put me in a bad situation and I may have to take the legal road for resolution. He basically said "Go for it!"

I then proceeded to detail all I could remember about the damages. He said sewer backup would be disallowed because of the “flood” that caused it. There would be no “loss of use” claim since the house was made uninhabitable by “flood”, not sewer backup. He noted all of the other damages I could recall and told me to follow up with my insurer in about a week. He tended to disallow almost everything I mentioned due to "flood" whereas the first adjuster was finding reasons to include them. I reiterated that I felt what happened was unfair and he admitted his company should have been more careful in who they choose as adjusters. I agreed and told him I would be in touch with my insurance company.

[Ixolib]

You're singing my song (and many other, I believe). It's gonna be an uphill battle all the way, and I'm pretty sure the battle will last years - perhaps 10 or more. I feel your pain, but surely have no "help" to offer. Just agreement that this situation really STINKS!! And we ain't seen nutin' yet.