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

Veebyes
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2015
When we lost our first 5er in a blowover the insurance company was put on notice, in a nice way, that they were dealing with a pitbull, aka the DW, when it comes to taking notes & she was not to be messed with.

Her working career involved a few re insurance companys, which insure the insurance companys that we all deal with on the retail level, so meticulous record keeping was her job.

From the day we lost the 5er to the day we were paid & back on the road with a new one was just under a month.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Mar 06, 2015
hershey wrote:
I really think that demanding a replacement RV wouldn't be out of the question. I really don't know how a situation you described can ever be cleaned and returned to new condition.

about X5, Black water through the RV, GROSS.
If it was the basement of a house your would gut down to the concrete walls, then rebuild, very hard to do that in an RV.
hershey
Explorer
Mar 06, 2015
I really think that demanding a replacement RV wouldn't be out of the question. I really don't know how a situation you described can ever be cleaned and returned to new condition.
mich800
Explorer
Mar 06, 2015
guidry wrote:
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

This will be a good option with one caveat. Hopefully the OP's insurance company does not come up with the same low damage figure.
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2015
We have to deal with the same problems dealing with custom and classic cars in accidents. Get your insurance involved NOW. They will want it repaired correctly as they will be still carrying the policy. Let them go after the other company as their objective is to make you go away as cheap as possible. They don't care about your trailer after you get a check.
DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Mar 06, 2015
There is such a thing as an independent adjuster who will work for you in evaluating your claim properly. Remember the adjuster for the insurance company main objective is to settle the claim for the least amount. Your adjuster is the opposite. Do research at www.naiia.com
cekkk
Explorer
Mar 06, 2015
As mentioned, if subrogation is available to you, that might be your best course. If not, and you have to leave the country, a lawyer is probably your Plan B. That could lead to filing suit against the park, which should wake up their insurer. Good luck.
1492
Moderator
Mar 06, 2015
Moved from Forum Technical Support
ScottG
Nomad
Mar 05, 2015
I remember a while back someone here had a similar thing happen. Their ins. co. totaled the RV because there's no way to clean everything and insure no toxic mold gets started.
If you think about it, how on earth can they get all that "stuff" out of every nook and cranny not to mention the belly of the RV.
JayGee
Explorer
Mar 05, 2015
As others have said, get your insurance company involved. That is the only person you should be talking to. They have attorneys ready to do what needs to be done.