All Forum Posts by: Agustin Conti

If you have a claim that falls in the grey area, you want to start with your agent first. They should be able to pull the section of the policy showing where coverage is found and cite where the Exclusions are limited and do not apply to your specific claim.

The insurance carrier isn't going to go to mediation until they have concluded their is coverage in the policy. The mediation is really a negotiation of the $ amount, not if there is coverage.

Hopefully your agent can find some solution for you.

Hi Jason, Thanks for the info. Well the Insurance company offered the mediation. I didn't even know that was a possibility until the insurance agent mentioned. I know what a mediation is, exactly what you describe.

0 Votes

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

thanks guys, I am looking for input from people with experience with the mediation process with home insurance companies that may help me prepare for it or even decide if its worth a shot, not if I have a case or not.
I have 2 issues in the pipes:

one section with damaged floor (gone, rusted) that did not create the clog in the toilet that caused this turmoil, as water flows through the damaged pipe no problem. That is not covered (and the reason why the claim was denied)

AND root intrusion very visible in another section of the pipe that caused the backlog on one toilet. Root intrusion is covered under the policy. They should pay to access the pipe, they don't cover the pipe themselves. That is the most expensive part of the project. They denied the claim based solely on the the first issue and conveniently ignored the second one which is the one that provoked the clogged toilet. I know I have a case.

Thanks,

1 Vote

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hi, I put a claim on old cast iron pipes that went bad with the insurance company on a rental property and my claim was denied. I have need told by the insurance agent that I can request a mediation, to see if we could reach an agreement and before considering calling a public adjustor. I am pretty sure we have a case. Does anybody have experience with mediation (in Florida or otherwise) with a home insurance company? I am gathering information and trying to see if it worth it and how to prepare for it. (No lawyer involved here) The insurance pays for the mediation.
Thanks,
Regards
Agustin

0 Votes

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Quote from @Julie Johnson:

Quote from @Agustin Conti:

Quote from @Julie Johnson:

Quote from @Agustin Conti:

Quote from @Rod Hanks:

Sorry, but that won’t be covered by insurance. Keep getting estimates from reputable companies, the biggest cost is digging, the pvc is relatively cheap. Estimates will vary from company to company with the yellow page TV plumbing companies charging the most and just subbing out the digging. Ask other investors in your area for referrals. The sewer line age is the item I look for when inspecting a house to buy, because it can break the budget if it needs to be replaced.

Thanks for the advice, I already found the guys.

Hi Agustin, my husband and I own a rental property in Fort Lauderdale and we recently found out we need to do exactly the same thing. We did receive 2 quotes from reputable companies that our neighbors have used and the city of Sea Ranch Lakes and Lauderdale By The Sea use as well. Do you mind my asking what company you decided to go with? We would like to get another estimate as our 2 estimates are hugely different. 2 different approaches but both under the duplex and not thru the floors. Prices range from $32k - $50k. Appreciate any information you care to share. Thanks

HI Julie, I am using A1 Underground & Plumbing Services LLC, I will be able to give a recommendation after the job is done but so far have been great to deal with. Fast and easy communication, clear and concise proposal with minimal interruptions and no interior work! (only a hole will be made outside in the patio) Common sense in every aspect of it and with a reasonable price under $29k (excluding city permit). Miles ahead in every department from any of the other ones. As expected they are very busy and can only do it at the end of April. But once in contract with them they can come out and snake (or clean) clogged toilets or lines as needed for free until the job starts.

Hi Agustin, we just signed our contract with A1 as well; before you advised who you had decided to go with. It will be pricey but we can not do the lining and that is only guaranteed for 10 years and is almost the same price. If you are going to do it, I believe in doing it once the right way. Thank you for your information and here is to hoping things go smoothly and quickly!

I believe that is a smart choice, fingers crossed. Did you try to go through insurance? My claim was denied and I am going to mediation (i did not know that existed) before considering calling a public adjustor. We do have a case if there is root instrusion in the pipes as opposed to just old rusted ones, we have actually both issues present so we can fight for the roots parts with the insurance company.

0 Votes

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Quote from @Julie Johnson:

Quote from @Agustin Conti:

Quote from @Rod Hanks:

Thanks for the advice, I already found the guys.

0 Votes

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Quote from @David Machado:

@Agustin Conti

Hello

Do you know where the breaks are in the pipe? Inside or outside the foundation. Are you on a raised foundation with room to move,a slab or ??

I have paid ?300-$500 for a plumber to run a camera out to the main sewer line. It’s well worth the cost to see/know exactly what the issues are.

You can always run new plastic pipe under the house and tie in right before it goes underground if the problem is pipes under your subfloor.

Yes, I paid $500 for a camera inspection and I know exactly what and where the 2 issues are. I have the HD video with detailed audio comments from the guys who did it and I can review or use it with any company. AT this point I know who I am going to do it with and what. Thanks

0 Votes

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Quote from @Rod Hanks:

Thanks for the advice, I already found the guys.

1 Vote

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Quote from @Drew Sygit:

Why are they tunneling and not digging?

the are tunneling under the house, that is why there is no need to break any floors inside. They are digging a whole in the patio from were they tunnel under the house and trench in the backyards towards the city sewer that runs back the alley.

1 Vote

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Quote from @Joehn B.:

I don't think insurance will cover this.

No to lining.

Bite the bullet and replace it all. Cast iron becomes brittle and disintegrates, there is no patching or lining.

I did mine and paid a guy to tunnel. < 5k

Just make sure you understand where it is under the slab, run a camera through it it's not clear.

What is the copper pipe situation (water)? also under the slab? how far under?

TIP: Next time you buy a 1960+ property SCOPE the sewer and negotiate the replacement cost into the price if it's damaged.

You always learn a lesson and I learned mine! this is the 2nd house pre-69 I get and when the inspection was done the inspector simply wrote "no direct access to the pipes..water flowing well" Go figure. I won't make the same mistake.

2 Votes

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Thanks Patricia, I am very aware of the general insurance crisis in Florida particularly in the real state area. Based on all the information I had, I made the decision to file the claim with Citizens. I have 2 policies with them for many years and have paid (like everyone else) enormous and continuously growing amounts of money for insurance. I have to trust that they will cover (fingers crossed) and not cancel my policy after, we will only know after. Otherwise what is the point of having insurance other than it is required by law? I found the guys to do the repairs with no disruption to the tenants and without touching the inside of the house and with minimal breaking of floors outside at a very decent price replacing the whole system under 30k.

0 Votes

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

All Forum Posts by: Agustin Conti

Agustin Conti has started 11 posts and replied 65 times.

Post: MEDIATION with Insurance Company?

Post: MEDIATION with Insurance Company?

Post: MEDIATION with Insurance Company?

Post: Old Cast Iron Pipes Broken

Post: Old Cast Iron Pipes Broken

Post: Old Cast Iron Pipes Broken

Post: Old Cast Iron Pipes Broken

Post: Old Cast Iron Pipes Broken

Post: Old Cast Iron Pipes Broken

Post: Old Cast Iron Pipes Broken