by veeton » Tue May 20, 2008 09:46 am
Victim of property damage. Sent 2 estimates for 2 different repairs. Their insurance company sends 2 party check for total price but written to homeowner and only one estimate company. Shouldn't check been to home owner only?? Should check be refused?
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 09:52 am Post Subject:
Good morning Veeton,
Please explain this a little more clearly, what are the two separate claims? And why would you think there were two claims?
Is this a liability claim or first party...We need additional (particulars) information to assist you please.
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 10:43 am Post Subject:
Hi yeah, its better if you'd open up a bit more towards explaining it!
What all docs did you attach while filing your claim?
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 10:50 am Post Subject:
Hey!
There are instances wherein the carrier would issue a single check (& the rest would be up to you to settle with the estimation co.)
But wherever the carrier finds the involvement of an estimation co. & are obliged to pay them back they'd do so. It is important to understand your scenario much better to comment further on it! Bla-bla-baskettour
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 11:12 am Post Subject:
A person drove into our fence and trees one night. Took down 9-20 ft.+ trees on fence lines. Their insurance co. asked to send them estimate for repairs. Estimates from local companies I called. One estimate sent to their ins. co. for fence repair, one estimate sent to their ins. co. for tree clean up and replacement. Estimates faxed together. Their ins. co. just sent check for total amount of both estimates faxed but check made out to homeowner and tree service firm.(2 party ck.) So how can I pay for fence repair? Is it standard that they even made a check out to a tree service co. and homeowner together? Should I refuse the check as written? How can I trust the local tree service firm to give money back for the fence repair amount?
They originally said they would only pay for small section of fence, although much more was damaged down the line and Not trees as they are auto ins. co. and did not know tree damage prices etc. They asked us to get estimates. More trees have died that were not included in original tree service estimate. They marked claim as closed after they mailed the check.
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 12:14 pm Post Subject:
Thanks for the additional information this makes more sense to me now... :wink:
A person drove into our fence and trees one night. Took down 9-20 ft.+ trees on fence lines. Their insurance co. asked to send them estimate for repairs. Estimates from local companies I called. One estimate sent to their ins. co. for fence repair, one estimate sent to their ins. co. for tree clean up and replacement.
Ok, this is one claim...NOT two, it is two repairs, that may be completed by two different companies however it is one claim.Their ins. co. just sent check for total amount of both estimates faxed but check made out to homeowner and tree service firm.(2 party ck.)
This was a simple error on the adjusters part...Call the adjuster and ask that they make the draft (doubt it's a check and there is a difference)...payable to you only....There is no reason what so ever that this cannot be done on third party claims...(your claim is a third party claim)Is it standard that they even made a check out to a tree service co. and homeowner together
On first party claims yes, and some companies do it on all of them, but they do not have to include anyone else on third party claims...They can pay you (the homeowner) only and directly...Should I refuse the check as written?
Yes,How can I trust the local tree service firm to give money back for the fence repair amount?
You can't and it may even have their tax ID associated with the draft, in which case they would get a 1099 on the entire amount which is also incorrect...They originally said they would only pay for small section of fence, although much more was damaged down the line
They owe you for whatever was damaged, PERIOD...Why would they say that they weren't paying for this additional damage 'on down the line'?Not trees as they are auto ins. co. and did not know tree damage prices etc
Who ever told you that is, well, is way past uninformed and just plain stupid...Who told you this? Did an adjuster say that? Or maybe the drivers agent's secretary? I can't imagine an adjuster saying that, even a new one! :shock: I can't even imagine an inexperienced secretary saying that! I'm just floored by that statement !!!!They owe you for all the damage that their insured caused to your property (that their insured is deemed 'at fault', or liable for), regardless of what that property is...Saying they are auto policy and therefore don't or can't pay for trees is just non-sense....I'm sure they don't know the price of the trees, I've handled many claims like this, you look at the tree, if you (as the adjuster) don't know the type you pull a leaf, take pictures, go to a nursery and ask someone...pretty simple, claims handling 101 really.More trees have died that were not included in original tree service estimate
They owe you for anything that was damaged by their insured....Which company is this ?They marked claim as closed after they mailed the check.
That doesn't mean squat...Did anyone from this company come out and inspect this damage? Photo it? Talk to you?Call the adjuster directly tell him/her that you are not accepting this draft, be nice, it's just a mistake, tell them you want the draft reissued to you only, that you will hire the people at your leasure to fix whatever needs fixed....If they give you ANY trouble with this at all let us know and I'm sure we will have some counters for you....It's up to you if you want to pursue the additional damage that they have apparently missed (? if I'm understanding you correctly and that's the case)....Personally I'd make darn sure I was getting paid for all the damage...
Please feel free to ask any and all questions that you think we may be of assistance to you with.
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 02:24 pm Post Subject:
About the only time a repair company would be put on a check in such a claim is if the adjuster thought the work had already been performed. In that case the service provider was doing the homeowner a favor and not billing them as they knew the insurance company would be paying. The insurance company would put the companies name on the check so that they did not get the shaft. Obviously that does not apply here and I think the adjuster who issued that payment was confused and dropped the ball. It happens.
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 03:37 pm Post Subject:
Thanks very much everyone!! I'll call or fax them and tell them (GEICO) that the check is unacceptabe. They have been giving us trouble right along in this process. As I said, the tree estimate was done before more trees died and the replacement tree quote were less than half the size, which I sure do not consider a fair value. Unfortunately, we just retired and were thinking of selling that piece of land in the near future and now the whole front line and part of the side is destroyed-from the beginning. The trees were only pines but were a living fence all around property, more than 15 yrs. old and right behind standard fence and then another row of bushes, which I cannot tell anything about, as all the trees are on them. I have been so upset and was just going to let it go with the estimates but that check got me upset again. I don't think it is fair. The guy that came out was really cold., took 2 pictures from a distance, looks like across street. I have at least 50 pictures taken as it was such destruction. It is a check, not a draft. Will keep informed. Thanks Again.
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 11:18 am Post Subject:
It is a check, not a draft.
really? ok, but I'm realllllllllly surprised... I'm sorry this has caused you so much upset....But seriously if they haven't paid you for all the damage, consider causing a bit of a fuss, if it's important to you...and have them come back out or whatever they need to do to replace all that was damaged.Was the guy that came out actually from Gieco or was he an independent hired by Gieco? Also you didn't say who told you that trees etc weren't covered by auto liablity policys?
Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 08:42 am Post Subject:
Lori,
He was an independant contractor hired by Geico and he made the comment.
They re-issued a check, which I should receive shortly.
Have question- At least five more trees have now died in that area in this last week (arborist originally said roots are inter-tangled) Nothing has been picked up or touched yet and it has been 2 months now----do they, or should they, re-evaluate claim even though check has been issued? Can I send them another estimate for additional damage? If so, does the estimate have to be from arborist again? This check sure is not much for the damage that continues to go on and the years invested. HELP!
Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 10:27 am Post Subject:
he made the comment.
'he' was ignorant, clearly of insurance claims handling...
veeton, re: the additional damages...first don't sign the check until you get all this settled..some claims checks will say either on front or back that endorcement is a release...
Call the adjuster and advise them of the additional damage...ask them who needs to see the additional damage, and ask how they intend to handle that...let us know!
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