Can you be charged twice for a deductible on the same claim

by darlene469 » Tue Aug 11, 2015 10:44 pm

I had to submit for additional cost on the same claim and I am being charged twice for my deductible

Total Comments: 12

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 08:03 pm Post Subject: Insurance is getting out of hand

From a previous post: that also pertained to paying the deductible twice. Still much confusion with this.
This was many years ago when this came up.
The answer someone gave on the deductibles and how they work:
..." you pay the contractor the $500 at the same time you hand him the insurer's check for $7500, he will give you a balance due invoice for $2000, and your insurance company will write a check for $2000, not $1500. The total they have paid will be $9500, the amount they told you they would pay"...
I know this prior post was discussed at length however confusion on how and why insurance companies are allowed to do the things they do and why they are not regulated in some way is baffling. Where is the protection to the consumer?
In my current case, my insurer has given estimates and sent a check for personal property damages photos, leather couch,.. (minus high depreciation rates), as well as estimates for repair for damages to the ceiling, walls, paint and crown molding and insulation (no depreciation). This after a hot water pipe broke and filled up the ceiling with water then crashed down, taking the crown molding and anything else in its way.
The check was to cover everything, total damages, over 4K but the check sent was for 2K due to our 2K deductible.
However when it came time for me to hire someone to repair the drywall, paint, crown... nobody would do the work for under 3K, 1K more than the check that was supposed to cover all damages and personal property.
I asked several times to get an itemized statement (not just a blanked of all damages) but individual costs to each item and quickly found out that there was no way that their calculations for the drywall paint, crown molding and insulation was based on anything valid.
Since there is no depreciation on that kind of work, I was able to go online and find a construction estimator based on zip code that allows you to get itemized estimates for all kinds of work. The amount given to me (for just the portion to be used for the drywall, paint, crown,..) was not enough to cover the drywall work alone.
Since the insurance company sent the check to me I requested that they send one of their construction companies out to either do the work for the amount given or give a better estimate so they can give me the difference.
Sure enough the new estimate given by the construction company provided by the insurance company came to 2K more, but rather than giving me the difference I am being told that I have to use them and they will cut them a check for the difference plus I have to still give them my 2K deductible (even though it was taken out by my insurance company before the check was sent to me), but I have to also give them my entire check for 3K , still the entire check that was supposed to cover personal property damages!, For what we pay for insurance costs here, how is this even correct? This still makes no sense. Now I am out 5K for work that should really be 3K.
In a prior incident with my former insurance company really had me asking, where is the protection to the consumer. At the time we were in a rental up north and my dog was startled by someone who came barging in. This was someone he had never seen, (or smelled) before. Because our dog is a good protector he blocked this person from coming all the way in, until we told him to get down. In the process of getting down, the dogs nails had torn a bit of the leather jacket the man was wearing. A claim was filed by this person, and my insurance company paid and proceeded to tell us we were then going to be dropped, not only from our entire homeowners coverage but all of our cars were being dropped. We were then told we would not be able to get coverage from anybody else for 3 years!
We found that the claim was made for a dog bite, and was not truthful, but still, how is the insurance company allowed to do that? I ended up getting all insurance re-instated, then dropped them for good!
Why have a dog rider in the first place if it is eventually used against you?
Here are my questions:
If the the deductible is taken out of the amount given to the homeowner why do we pay it again to the contractor?
What programs do insurance companies use to figure damages?
Is there a calculation for depreciation for personal and what is it based on?
example; if I am to completely replace my reclining couch that had custom fabric (that looked new before the incident), Paid $1800 3 years ago and is now $3,000 to replace it today. How is an insurance company getting a figure of only $450 to replace it?
Why are insurance companies not regulated?
Why are they able to "drop" someone because they make a claim for an accident
Why are insurance companies allowed to drop all provisions such as your home and auto (if you bundle), if someone makes a claim involving your dog.
Why is this "dog incident" information then allowed to be put into a pool of information for other insurance companies to "cherry pick".
Why are there no regulations and protection to the homeowner when insurance companies refuse to cover (for not only the dog rider), but for home, auto, life.... because of this?
How are insurance companies allowed to "cherry pick"
Why isn't there a form of "hippa" to protect the homeowner or driver?
Thank you

    Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 04:46 am Post Subject:

    why they are not regulated in some way is baffling. Where is the protection to the consumer?



    Next to banks, insurance companies are one of the most regulated industries in the US.

    We found that the claim was made for a dog bite, and was not truthful, but still, how is the insurance company allowed to do that? I ended up getting all insurance re-instated, then dropped them for good!



    The insurance company did not make the claim... the person you let into your home did. I'm betting this person had medical bills and doctors information to confirm an injury. Would you have rather been taken to court and been exposed to possible excess verdict? What happens than is you find an attorney to sue your insurance company for the excess amount plus additional damages. These are reason's why your insurance company settled claims. It's not because they like spending their money for no reason.

    If the the deductible is taken out of the amount given to the homeowner why do we pay it again to the contractor?


    You don't... and I suspect you never did.

    How is an insurance company getting a figure of only $450 to replace it?


    They would not. That is a depreciated value, not replacement cost. As far as how they arrived at that number... you'd need to ask them. When something does not see right you need only ask them to explain.

    Why are they able to "drop" someone because they make a claim for an accident


    For the same reason anyone can determine that they don't want any business. When you call a plumber to unclog a drain do you think he is required to do the work or he can just tell you he does not want your business?

    Why is this "dog incident" information then allowed to be put into a pool of information for other insurance companies to "cherry pick".


    Because it's not illegal. The states feel that insurance companies have a right to know about prior claims as it relates to the exposure being assumed.

    Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2015 03:18 pm Post Subject:

    If the the deductible is taken out of the amount given to the homeowner why do we pay it again to the contractor?

    If the total loss is $5000, and you have a $2000 deductible, the insurance company sends you a check for $3000 ($5000-$2000). If the repairs cost $5000, the insurance company gave you $3000 to pay to the contractor and you pay the $2000 balance due (equal to your deductible) to the contractor. What's so hard to understand about that? If you don't like the $2000 deductible, pay a higher premium for a lower deductible.

    What programs do insurance companies use to figure damages?

    There are all sorts of programs that estimate the cash value of certain damages. Generally, however, an adjuster or claims examiner makes a determination based on facts presented or observed.

    Is there a calculation for depreciation for personal and what is it based on?

    Depreciation for "personal" what? Your question makes no sense.

    example; if I am to completely replace my reclining couch that had custom fabric (that looked new before the incident), Paid $1800 3 years ago and is now $3,000 to replace it today. How is an insurance company getting a figure of only $450 to replace it?

    What kind of loss settlement is in your policy? Actual Cash Value or Full Replacement Cost? If you have a replacement cost policy, when you replace the damaged goods, the insurance company will pay the difference between the ACV it initially paid and your actual cost to replace (minus any deductible if not already accounted for). Your responsibility is to repair or replace the damaged property, generally within 180 days, and provide receipts or invoices for the payments you made.

    Why are insurance companies not regulated?

    Insurance companies are perhaps more highly regulated than banks.

    Why are they able to "drop" someone because they make a claim for an accident

    It's called "capitalism". Just as you are free to do business with any insurance company of your choosing, they are generally free to stop covering you if they so choose. Don't like that? Then purchase insurance called "Guaranteed Renewable" or "Noncancellable". Only problem is, it doesn't exist in homeowners insurance.

    Why are insurance companies allowed to drop all provisions such as your home and auto (if you bundle), if someone makes a claim involving your dog.

    Your question makes little sense. You have to read your policy. Many insurance companies, thanks to claims resulting from dog bites, no longer accept insureds who have any dogs at their residence, other than bona fide service animals. It is what it is.

    Why is this "dog incident" information then allowed to be put into a pool of information for other insurance companies to "cherry pick".

    Insurance companies are entitled to know your claims history. The databases are in place not for the purpose of "cherry picking"--which is unlawful--but to prevent insurance fraud, which is unlawful. Many people lie on their applications for insurance.

    Why are there no regulations and protection to the homeowner when insurance companies refuse to cover (for not only the dog rider), but for home, auto, life.... because of this?

    Once again, your question makes no sense. Please give specific details of your situation.

    How are insurance companies allowed to "cherry pick"

    They are not! If found to be discriminating unlawfully, an insurance company may be fined or even prevented from selling its products. Having said that, some insurance companies only insure "preferred" risks. That's their choice (even if it limits the number of insureds they do business with), just as it is your choice of which insurance company to do business with.

    Why isn't there a form of "hippa" to protect the homeowner or driver?

    Are you asking about HIPAA? What does health insurance have to do with homeowners or auto? If you are asking about privacy issues, there are plenty of federal and state laws that govern the insurance industry.

    I think you're asking about guaranteed insurabilty. That almost never happens in homeowners insurance, although a few insurance companies claim that they will not cancel your coverage because you have an accident or other claim. But what they don't say in their advertising is that nothing prevents them from doubling or tripling your premiums following a claim -- if you are willing to pay the premium, they will continue your insurance . . . guaranteed..

    Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 03:24 pm Post Subject: deductible

    You CAN NEVER be charged a deductible twice for the same claim. If you are, please report the incident to the authorities for insurance fraud. The amount you receive will be the claim amount minus your deductible. If your claim amount is any different than that, then you should also report the incident.

    Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2015 06:50 am Post Subject:

    insurance fraud.

    It is not insurance fraud. If this actually happened it would be a mistake, and a simple discussion with the claims representative would cure the mistake.

    Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 06:27 pm Post Subject:

    ..." you pay the contractor the $500 at the same time you hand him the insurer's check for $7500."

    In California, most insurances deduct the deductible before handing you your loss check; so you just pay the worth of the repairs plus tax.

    Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 08:05 pm Post Subject: DEDUCTIBLE TWICE ASSESSED.

    "You CAN NEVER be charged a deductible twice for the same claim. If you are, please report the incident to the authorities for insurance fraud. The amount you receive will be the claim amount minus your deductible. If your claim amount is any different than that, then you should also report the incident."

    How about on an extended payment under the same claim number; can deductible be charged again by insurance?

    Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 03:13 pm Post Subject:

    Normally, a deductible only applies once to a claim. But you don't provide enough information.

    Posted: Tue May 22, 2018 10:44 pm Post Subject: double deductible

    my insurance company issued my a check for total damages
    kitchen, bathroom, and carpet $2800 -$1000 deductible
    so I banked the $1800
    Now I tried to get estimates and they all came up to $11,000
    the insurance company is taken $2800 out they are charging me a second time for deductible so im only getting $8200

    this cant be correct :(

    Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 09:29 pm Post Subject: Hire A Public Adjuster!!

    Not sure what state you're in but the best thing you can do is hire a Public Adjuster ! Public Adjusters CAN & will fight on your behalf to make sure the insurance companies pay you WHAT YOU DESERVE.


    Resources For Finding A Public Adjuster:
    Public Adjuster in Panama City
    National Public Adjuster Directory
    National Public Adjuster Directory
    Should I hire A Lawyer or Public Adjuster?

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