All Forum Posts by: Nellie Fitzgerald

Quote from @Bill B.:

Did you not have insurance? Or just not make a claim?

I dealt with this twice. (two different properties, same problem. Toilet supply line exploded..) Both times Allstate sent out Servpro, handled everything and 4 days later they were done. Once I paid $1,00 deductible, once they covered as they sued the supply line manufacturer. 

These were both $30-$40k claims so not huge, but the only 2 claims I’ve ever made with a dozen Properties over 25 years. I guess what I’m asking is was your damage so small you didn’t make a claim or is your insurance company letting you down and should they be your next call? If you’re self insuring you’re probably going to need a lawyer and it might turn out to be cheaper and make the claim. Good luck and let us know if it’s an insurance or no insurance situation, and how it turns out. 

Thanks a lot Bill.

For the two incidents you dealt with, how did you work with the tenants? Did they live at the property during the repairing? 

We have State*arm and little did we know that they don't carry a sewer back up rider. We wonder whether (1) interior damage from the sewer overflow is covered (2) damage from the Water Remediation company's work is covered.

#1 seems to be NOT covered reading the insurance policy terms;
#2 is unclear; but it would be hard for the insurer to judge. The remediation company can spin up stories to their benefits? There can be fineprint agreement that we've signed saying they are not reliable for any damage incurred during the remediation process.

Do you have any thoughts on dealing with insurance in our situation? 

Recently we had a minor sewer backup, which soaked the carpet pad but didn't leave any standing water. We hired a pro water remediation company and asked them to remove dry wall, base boards, carpet, and drop fans, dehumidifier equipment, as well as apply any anti-microbial disinfectant, etc.

However, shocked did we find out that they destroyed the bathroom without any notifications to us. Include damaged cement board walls in unaffected areas, threw out the vanity, damaged one water supply valve, tiles. In addition, they destroyed every door on the level. Currently they don't answer any of our calls or communications regarding the damages and the work they did. Btw, landlord insurance doesn't cover this.

It'd be great to hear your ideas and wisdom on:

 The company wants full payment (we paid half up front) even though they incurred more damage than their service. How should we handle it? What would be a good outcome of the negotiation with them? 

While trying to repair the damage (new tiles, new toilet, new vanity, new door, new cement board, etc.), how should we work with our tenants? We have good tenants but their lease ends in one month. The whole situation might deter them from renewing especially when the lower level is not fully usable now.

Thank you so much.

We had water damage for about two weeks but acted on it too slow. There might be mold growing on the drywall and the remediation company recommended mold remediation. It's a SFH with two beds on the upper floor (away from any potential mold) and two on the basement level. The tenants are a couple and their young kid. What's the best approach here? Should we rent an airbnb for them for a month or two while dealing with the situation?

Would they sue us if they or their kid develop any health issues that they can tie to the potential mold? Any suggestions and creative solutions?