Forum Discussion

Explorer

Mar 05, 2015

dealing with an insurance claim

I am looking for some advice. On December 16, 2014 my RV was damaged as a result of work done by the park that I am in for the winter. Due to negligence, my 2015 RV was flooded with black water. The park has assumed full responsibility and I have been working with their insurance company since that time. I was away on the day of the incident and I have no idea how long the unit was flooded before someone noticed the water flowing out of the basement compartments. The insurance company came back to me after 6 weeks with an estimate of $810.00 to replace the carpet with a proviso that once they remove the carpet they likely will find other damage. I did not accept the offer and stated that I would be seeking a second opinion which I did. The estimate I received came in just under $22,000.00 with the expectation that more repairs would be needed once walls, flooring and carpets were removed. I have been living in a hotel since December 2014. I have been advised that the insurance company is not accepting my estimate and is going with their own of $810.00. I should mention as well that the Adjuster who came to examine my RV stated to me that "once they get their hands on this thing it won't be new again." I have a problem with this statement and complained only to be told that "he should have kept his mouth shut". This is the individual making the decisions about what repairs will or will not be done on my RV. My other greater concern of course is for my safety of living in an RV that has been contaminated with E Coli and other bacteria as a result of the flood. The insurance company has been stalling and I am planning to leave in 2 weeks to head back to Canada. I am wondering if anyone else has had a black water insurance claim and how was it handled? I also am looking for advice on how to handle this insurance company since I don't feel they are taking the matter seriously. I have advised them that my expectation is that it will be in a like-new condition again since it is a new RV and was only 2 months old when this happened. I am incredibly frustrated and don't know what to do especially since I have to head back to Canada soon. I have contacted a lawyer but I'm not sure that is the answer either. Your help is appreciated.

Seeking Advice

15 Replies

the_bear_II
Explorer
Mar 05, 2015
Some states have an Insurance Commission(er) that will get involved in these kinds of cases or hire a lawyer.

I would get 3 independent estimates just as a way to prove your case....if all 3 are around $22,000 it would be tough for the insurance company to justify $800.
guidry
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2015
Best solution is to have your insurance company take care of you and they can go after the other insurance company. Going to a lawyer should be your last resort because they will want your money first, then how long do you think you will recover that money! Good luck to you
mabynack
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2015
Do you have the option of letting your own insurance handle the claim and then having them deal with the other insurance company? That's how I handled it when my truck was damaged. The other person's insurance was stalling me so I called my own insurance company. They made an appointment for the same day to get my truck repaired and paid everything above the deductible. Once the claim was settled they reimbursed me the deductible I had already paid.

Laws vary by State and it sounds like you have the additional complication of dealing with two different countries.

I wish you the best and agree with ij2654 that you should probably be talking to a lawyer. It sounds like you're going to get shafted if you don't.
lj2654
Explorer
Mar 05, 2015
sounds to me that you have answered the question already! If the Parks insurance Company is only offering $810 a lawyer will have to be involved. If the whole RV was flooded with black water I don't see how it could ever be liveable in again. The carpet is ruined, the walls and floors will be badly damaged.
powderman426
Explorer
Mar 05, 2015
I have never had this specific problem, but I have had issues resolved by contacting the State Attorney general for the state where this has happened. I hope you can get it resolved fairly. BTW what is the campgrounds take on this. They may be able to apply some pressure for the insurance company to treat you fairly.