Insurance loss claim payment

[Dave Rav]

Hello everyone!  I continue to be disappointed (and quite disenfranchised!) with any and all insurance.  Be it health insurance, homeowners insurance, or auto insurance at every turn the insurer seems to disappoint or fail to perform.  Today's lesson in the HOI department..

I incurred a loss at one of my units.  A tenant mistakenly caused a kitchen fire while cooking.  Thankfully, nobody was hurt and the whole home wasn't a loss.  However, the kitchen was burned significantly and smoke damage affected several rooms of the home.  I contacted my insurance agent and he was nothing short of awesome!  The insurance provider and adjuster on the other hand, were shady as ever.  

Communication was poor and they acted as if they had something to hide.  They never answered my calls, nor would they reply to emails (why would they, as this "puts in writing" anything they say).  I dont play that game, and was very close to contacting my legal team.  But, just in the nick of time, they finally got with the program and processed my claim.  I was paid out the max covered as stated in my policy.  I was relatively "ok" with things at this point.  Until I received my payment - the check was made out to my mortgage company and myself.  WTH?  

Have you received a insurance loss payment with the check payable to both you and your mortgage company? Wondering what your experience was?  Were you able to cash the check with ease, or did they make you contact your mortgagee?

[Matthew Olszak]

Welcome to the insurance claims world. Agents are wonderful when they are collecting your premiums. Even the call-takers that receive your claim are great. But that's when you stop being in "good hands" with folks who claim to be your "good neighbor". Its good to hear you eventually got paid your policy limits without having to engage a PA or Attorney.

Its completely normal for your loss to be payable to your mortgage company as well as yourself - the mortgage companies require that the policy include that provision. Otherwise, you could cash the check, run off with the money, and all they have is a burned down "asset". Call your mortgage company's "loss draft department" for further instruction. On smaller claims, like roofing, many times they'll simply endorse the check. But for a full loss, they'll likely hold the funds and pay out in draws as the building is rebuilt, after performing their own field inspections. And if you're behind, they'll also likely hold on the funds until you are current or the property is rebuilt. The bottom line is they are protecting their mortgaged asset's value.