Did My Previous Home Insurance Company Screw Me

[hawkpacific]

Here is what happened.

Due to a drain malfunction after much rain, I discovered (weeks later) that mold was coming through the bottom of one of our walls. So, I called my insurance company. They sent an investigator out to inspect it. His report said that it was "surface water" and he and my insurance broker recommended closing the case (not going forward with the claim), since the insurance company would likely not cover the damage. So, I closed the claim.

However, the property shows a claim on the record, even though it says that it was closed and nothing was paid.

Did my insurance company screw me?

 

[USF3983]

Maybe. Depends on if you shop your rate and a carrier with a potentially good rate denies you because you have that type of claim in the past 5 years or whatever length of time they use. Any new carrier is going to want you to fix the existing damage.

 

[F150]

ALL companies open a claim when you call them, thats one of the benefits of having an agent, to discuss this FIRST

 

[TKINSFIN]

In Florida in goes on your record whether you get paid or not. That's why I don't allow clients to file a claim ever until they speak to me, and they have a contractor come and tell them exactly what happened and what the cost would be to fix it.

BTW same with auto, life, health, etc.

 

[nyc2phi]

Here is what happened.

Due to a drain malfunction after much rain, I discovered (weeks later) that mold was coming through the bottom of one of our walls. So, I called my insurance company. They sent an investigator out to inspect it. His report said that it was "surface water" and he and my insurance broker recommended closing the case (not going forward with the claim), since the insurance company would likely not cover the damage. So, I closed the claim.

However, the property shows a claim on the record, even though it says that it was closed and nothing was paid.

Did my insurance company screw me?

The claim is opened because the claim was initiated however when you shop around it will not hurt your rate. They will see a 0 payout and it will not hurt your record.

 

[joshb]

The claim is opened because the claim was initiated however when you shop around it will not hurt your rate. They will see a 0 payout and it will not hurt your record.

Not true with our carriers in florida. Most of them will count it as a claim. Don't know about other states though.

 

[sshafran]

In Florida in goes on your record whether you get paid or not. That's why I don't allow clients to file a claim ever until they speak to me, and they have a contractor come and tell them exactly what happened and what the cost would be to fix it. BTW same with auto, life, health, etc.

If I "didn't allow" my clients to file health/life claims before talking to me first.... I'd be in a mental institution somewhere. How much more micromanaged can you be?

 

[nyc2phi]

Not true with our carriers in florida. Most of them will count it as a claim. Don't know about other states though.

Whoops didn't realize this was in FL. Yeah up here it won't hurt your rate

 

[VolAgent]

If I "didn't allow" my clients to file health/life claims before talking to me first.... I'd be in a mental institution somewhere. How much more micromanaged can you be?

That is what I was thinking. Particularly when it comes to life claims. The person is still dead, what is the point of not allowing them to file a claim?

 

[TKINSFIN]

I totally agree. I protect my clients from themselves way to much. I'm not going to do it anymore. The hell with them, let them figure it out.