disabled - renters insurance & claim, pls help!

On 12/12/09, one of the water pipes on the 4th floor of our building burst. What goes up must come down, and I'm on the first floor. So, water fell into my bedrooms and living room.

I have renter's insurance and called them for help. An adjuster came to my apartment on 12/16 to see the damage. Everything was out everywhere ~ the flooding company moved stuff. The contracters had also come by to begin working on my apartment.

Anyway...the claims guy said the damages were minimal. I have a $500 deductible. While the water soaked my mattress, the claims guy reminded me of my deductible and encouraged me not to make any claims. Otherwise I have to pay the $500 before I get any money from them. I was devastated. The guy said that me & my girls could stay while the contractors worked on the apartment.

At that point, I gave up. I have multiple allergies to fumes, dust, mold, etc. and the claims guy didn't want to pay for anything! Thankfully, my apartment manager got a hold of an attorney that takes care of these kinds of things (?). That attorney called the claims guy and bawled him out 12/29. That day, the claims guy called me and began showing some interest. The contractors couldn't begin working on damaged ceiling, walls, or floors until someone took stuff out of my apartment.

I haven't stayed in my apartment, for more than 15 minutes, since 12/12 afternoon. Thank goodness my boyfriend has let me stay with him! Still, that claims guy keeps calling me and wants to know how things are coming. He wants to meet me with items I claim to be damaged by the accident, to go over things together, etc. He has a way of minimizing my claim and I'm questioning everything. I can't see this claims guy by myself ~ because I know that I'll give in, mostly due to my low self-esteem. I seriously need help & keep wondering why this man is calling me to ask all of these Q's! He could call the apartment manager, to find out how things are coming. How in the heck would I know? I can't go into the apartment yet. He's driving me crazy!

Am I completely over-reacting? Is this guy's behavior normal? How am I going to make it through?

Please write back with any advice, wisdom, or anything. I just feel LOST!! Thanks for reading my novel!

If you're asking if the guy's behavior is usual I'd say yes.
Is it normal to treat someone with an obvious loss that way? No.

I suggest you call your claim agent and express your dissatisfaction. If you have your copy of the insurance, you can cite from that and demand what you need, according to your coverage. You can also tell them that if you don't hear from the adjuster TODAY ( or before noon tomorrow) that you will be contacting.... the Federal Trade Commission. If they don't contact you, file a complaint with that office.

I'm surprised that your policy includes flood insurance. Here in Florida, that's an additional policy. Even if we are flooded because of a hurricane, that ins won't cover the damage done by water...you have to have flood insurance for that. If it's pipes or toilet or whatever that causes it... we have to have flood insurance as it isn't covered under our homeowner's policies.

So double check your policy, ask for it in plain English if it isn't already (it's supposed to be.) Take notes, write down who you talk to at what phone number and time and how long you spoke etc. EACH TIME.

Don't let them bully you. You are the consumer. You might utilize your lawyer, since he's already involved, to file for at least the deductible from the apartment that caused the water damage in the first place.

Good wishes.

PS Everything should be listed... from what was damaged (take photographs!) to the moving and storage of your other items (for space for contractors to work or for safety of items) to what it costs you to stay where you are (do you have coverage for a hotel?) etc. Long distance phone calls (or minutes against your cell usuage) EVERYTHING! Keep receipts, take photographs, keep notes.

ditto - what sky said..........

hugs for ((shez))

I too expected to hear that they were rejecting the claim in it's entirety because water damage is a completely different policy.

It's his job to keep what his company pays out to you at a minimum. If it were me, I'd request all communication be done via email, for two reasons. 1) you have written documentation as to who said what when. 2) You have the opportunity to think things out before answering his questions.

As Sky mentioned, keep pictures and reciepts for everything. It may depend upon the laws in your state, but your landlord may be liable to cover the deductable. Even little things like additional travel to bring the kids to school, etc that you would not have had to spend had this never occurred.

Thank you for the advice.

After 2 1/2 months out of my apartment, I'm finally moving back in! You are all correct, I should have kept receipts for everything. (I tried - but lost many due to chaos!) It was crazy, very stressful, I sure don't want to go through any of that again! At least I'm finally buying furniture to replace those damaged and lost. Almost there!