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ASKED ON 06/15/2011
bindc

Advice on insurance coverage after tree damage


We live in Maryland and we had a tree fall down on our house in December. After much wrangling with the insurance company, work is finally getting done on our house, which we're extremely pleased about. Our insurance company is paying for the damaged areas obviously. Recently, however, the contractor tells us that the particular cedar siding on our house is no longer made. So, they want to use a different type of material to match (but it isn't cedar). Also, because damage was done to only portions of the house, and the insurance company is only covering the replacement of damaged areas, the stain is not matching either. So, my question is, is our insurance company responsible for covering the cost of replacing all of the siding if the contractors cannot find a suitable match? Part of our wrangling with the insurance company had to do with 'making the house back to the way it was before the tree fell on the house.' Well, having mis-matched siding and stain was not how our house was before the tree incident. What rights do we have (before we look into getting a lawyer).

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avatar anmlpr...

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Our siding was blown off one side of the house due to high winds. We had the same situation as you. The same siding was no longer available and if they did one area, it would not match the rest. The adjustor came out and gave us a check to repair the damage. We got three estimates. We submitted the estimates and explained that the siding would all have to be replaced. We received another check that covered the cost minus the deductible. The only difference here may be that the siding we replaced was only for three sides of an addition to the building, so the additional cost was another 1000.00 dollars. It sounds like you have a whole house to contend with which would be quite a bit more. Still, you should get those estimates and try to get it replaced. Also, rather than a lawyer, which can be costly, try an insurance arbitrator. I used one in a previous home and it worked quite well. They arbitrate for you with the insurance company and keep a percentage of what you receive. It worked very well for me.
ANSWERED ON 06/17/2011
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avatar harry

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It sounds to me that the insurance company could make a good faith effort to repair the damage but if the stuff isn't made anymore then it becomes an impossible situation. I don't think the insurance company should have to pay for something that wasn't damaged.

No, I don't work for an insurance company.

ANSWERED ON 06/21/2011
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avatar Madden...

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Sounds like it will be hard to get the insurance company to come out and give a new quote overriding the first one. Becarefull of how much of a fight you put up, it sounds like a MUCH more expensive claim then having the tree removed - don't get canceled. How many claims over the past 20yrs have you made?
ANSWERED ON 04/25/2012
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