All Forum Posts by: Donald Paul

The claims representative for for the insurance company said it would take one month to get the repairs done because it is just "cleaning and painting" per the claims adjuster hired by the insurance company.  TThere is more to the repairs than cleaning and painting.  There is the  replacing of the front door and frame busted down fire department, removal and replacement of attic insulation, cleaning of HVAC and ducts, replacing of carpets, cleaning and painting.  

They think the repairs can be done in 30 days.  What about the loss of rent for the 2.5 months from time of fire until receipt of the first claims check?

The companies here are not starting the the work until they know what repairs the insurance company has agreed to and the amount and we have a signed contract.

Thanks Greg.  Yes we do have a good restoration company and we are happy with what we have been provided for the repairs.

We have not signed the Proof of Loss  and Loss of Rents document yet.  The first letter provided us nothing for rent for the nonfire unit.  The insurance adjuster hired by the insurance company said he "fought to get us one month"

Below is the coverage from our insurance for Loss of Rents. We own a side by side duplex and had a major fire caused by the tenant at unit A. There are no issues getting loss of Rents on the fire unit.

Unit B was vacant 14 days before the fire. We had just finished painting, etc. and had the unit advertised for rent. Unit B had substantial smoke damage and over $30k in repairs to be done to get unit available to rent. We did not have the funds to repair unit B.

The funds were received from the insurance company 2.5 months after the fire. There is still a supplemental claim for items missed that we are still waiting for approval. The restoration company will not start work until the supplemental claim is finalized.

The insurance company only wants to pay us one month of loss of rent for Unit B - non fire unit.  This would cover the time they think it will take to repair this unit.  They are  ignoring the months of rent we have lost from the date of the fire until the repair process gets started.  

How do you interpret our policy? Thoughts??  Thank you-

Below is  the coverage from our insurance for Loss of Rents.  We own a side by side duplex and had a major fire caused by the tenant at unit A. There are no issues getting loss of Rents on the fire unit.

Unit B was vacant 14 days before the fire.  We had just finished painting, etc. and had the unit advertised for rent.  Unit B had substantial smoke damage and over $30k in repairs to be done to get unit available to rent.  We did not have the funds to repair unit B.

The funds were received from the insurance company 2.5 months after the fire.   There is still a supplemental claim for items missed that we are still waiting for approval.  The restoration company will not start work until the claim is finalized.

The insurance company only wants to pay us one month of loss of rent for Unit B.

How do you interpret our policy?  Thoughts??

Own a side by side duplex each with a private entrance. Had an extensive fire on Side A in mid January. Policy has loss of rent. The day after the fire we met with an independent claims adjuster assigned by our insurance company. Explained the tenants in Side B just moved out January 1 and we had the unit up for rent. He told me to send an email with rents. which I did.  Led us to believe we would receive reimbursement for both units.

On February 18, we received a check for $7500 for loss of rents. No explanation of what the $7500 covered but was told we would keep track and settle up at the end.

March 11, we received letter with our settlement today. Only providing us with 6 months of rent for Side A - fire side. When asked about Side B the adjuster replied “only pays rent for units that are occupied.”

Now Side B cannot be rented until repairs are done. . Door and frame were busted down by fireman. Attic insulation runs across both units and needs to be pulled out and replaced. Furnace and ducts need to be cleaned, the unit needs to be repainted due to light smoke damage (we had just repainted). This settlement includes $30,000 in repairs for Side B - for non fire unit.

We can’t rent Side B, so I am out 2 months rent as of today, and at least another 2 months of lost rent until the unit may possibly be done. Then I will have to find a tenant that would be willing to live with the construction next door (dumpster in driveway, trucks, etc)

Here is how the policy reads, Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on how we should proceed?" Monthly rent is $2000 for this unit.

Thanks - totally understand the tax consequences but not planning to take a vacation with it. We would use the money toward the asbestos abatement costs that are not covered by my insurance.  

Tenants had just moved out of the non fire side before the fire.  We had just finished painting the entire unit and were getting ready to place on the market for rent.

The quote we received from the Restoration and Renovation company covered both units.  Basically the non fire unit needs to be repainted again, carpets replaced and the front door and frame to be replaced due to firemen having to break the door down.  

Basically, there is a lot of fluff in the quote for the non fire unit for additional sealing, cleaning, etc which is not needed.

We would basically like to do the cleaning and painting ourselves and have a local company replace the carpets and repair the front door.

How will the insurance company reimburse us for this if we do the work ourselves?  Will we be paid for our labor?

Thank you-

We recently had a fire at our rental unit.  The  tenants are ok and had renter's insurance.

During the renovation quotes, asbestos was found and tested.  Abatement is needed.  We have Dryden Insurance with a VIP Plus  Dwelling Package, Coverage/Form DFL-153P added to the policy.  We are told this policy does not covered asbestos abatement.

Please note that we do have Ordinance or Law on this policy that will cover up to 2.5% of the Coverage a-Residence.  But this does not cover the total cost of the abatement.

Here is what is shown in our policy?  Would this cover the abatement.  Thank you for any assistance.