Internet Insurance no help?

Question

I am a resident in Suffolk Va. and a tornado hit my home. I have used an online insurance company (rhymes with bomesite.com) and now they are not helping me at all. My question is they want to just patch the roof and siding and call it a day. The problem is that the siding is no longer manufactured and the shingles cannot be matched. My homeowners clause says that all my shingles and siding have to be the same type and color. I had replacement value cost and they are saying that the color doesnt matter as long as it's replaced. Can they do this and make me pay to do all the work or are they obligated to fix all since it cannot be "replaced?

Thanks

Ken

Answer 1

Ken,

To answer you directly--yes, they can do this.  They can offer anything they want to to keep the claim cost down.  

Now, read your policy.  See if there is anything in there that you can find that will force them to completely replace the roof and/or siding.  Remember, you policy is your contract with the insurance company and they (and you) must abide by the wording of that contract.  

Your homeowners clause (and I'm assuming you mean your homeowner association's contract) has nothing to do with your insurance contract.  It cannot be used to force the insurance company to do anything beyond what they are obligated to do.

Ken, I'm saying this next thing for the benefit of all who read our answers, not chiding you.  

This is a real life lesson on why you should ALWAYS have an agent.  Buying insurance online can save you money but can also cause major headaches at claim time.  I'm sure you now wish you had an agent working on your side to get what you need and want from this incident.  An agent would have been able to find a policy that better matched your homeowner association's rules and regulations.  Once this is behind you, consider an independent agent in your area.

I'm sorry for your loss and wish all of you in those areas hit by tornadoes the best.  Our prayers are with you.

Answer 2

Right.  Most homeowners policies do NOT replace undamaged portions just to match.

If your policy REALLY SAYS it all has to match, then you need to file a complaint with your state insurance department.  But I've  only ever seen that clause in high end policies like CHUBB's.  It's NOT in the standard policy - you'll have to quote it, and send in a copy of the policy with your appeal.  At best, you'll get the siding to match on the same side of the house, only.

"Replacement value" has NOTHING to do with it.  So if you're hanging your hat on the "replacement value" as meaning, matching, it doesn't.

Do it yourself insurance, over the internet, can leave you with wrong impressions - because YOU are acting as your own agent.

Answer 3

VA insurance commissioners office is the place to go for help.

Good answer from the other person that suggested it!!  But I wanted to make sure you know this was the best answer.

Answer 4

I don't handle claims in VA,but most homeowners policies state they will pay for "direct physical damages." So the problem you have is that the older areas that don't match were not physically damaged, therefore the company doesn't have to pay for them.

In order to try to match the siding try http://www.sidingmatch.com  

You stated "My homeowners clause says that all my shingles and siding have to be the same type and color."  Are you referring to some kind of condo or homeowners/condo association bylaw? If that is the case, I doubt your policy will cover replacing the undamaged areas based on a contract or rule like that.  

You might want to check with the VA Insurance Commissioners office to see what the laws are pertaining to "matching."

Good Luck

Answer 5

I'm so sorry this happened to you!

Insurance's purpose is to put you back to "how you & your house were before the loss"

Talk to the adjustor again (the person who estimated your loss) and if you get nowhere - call whatever main claims phone# you were given & ask for management! Don't stop calling until you get action...

If you had an AGENT - they'd be making these phone calls for you & doing it all for you

I do wish you had paid the extra $ to get a "real agent". This is what the world is coming to - cheap SUBstandard insurance

Answer 6

Ken,

The answers you've received are correct. Your policy repairs only the damaged parts. I have seen instances where they company is willing to pay to have all the siding painted so it will match.

Replacement cost simply means they will pay whatever it costs to replace your damaged portions. The damaged parts are able to be replaced, they just don't match.

Your homeowners associations rules have no bearing on the insurance payment.  

I know how frustrating this can be, trust me! Been there! But, you have to see it from their stand point also. If they replaced all the siding on your home and the entire roof for you, then they would have to do that for everyone. What would happen to rates if each person got a brand new roof simply because 1/10 of it was damaged? Insurance rates would be even more outrageous.

I suggest you call your insurance company directly and ask them to work out a deal with you in regards to painting the siding. They should have access to resources to help match siding and shingles.

Good luck!