 Vacancy (by Shannon [VA]) Jan 28, 2015 6:06 AM
 Vacancy (by Pattyk [MO]) Jan 28, 2015 6:13 AM
Vacancy (by Shannon [VA]) Jan 28, 2015 6:14 AM
Vacancy (by Pattyk [MO]) Jan 28, 2015 6:18 AM
Vacancy (by shannon [VA]) Jan 28, 2015 6:22 AM
Vacancy (by Pattyk [MO]) Jan 28, 2015 6:26 AM
Vacancy (by tryan [MA]) Jan 28, 2015 8:33 AM
Vacancy (by Pattyk [MO]) Jan 28, 2015 10:14 AM
Vacancy (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Jan 28, 2015 10:42 AM
Vacancy (by Shannon [VA]) Jan 28, 2015 10:57 AM
Vacancy (by Ken [NY]) Jan 28, 2015 11:41 AM
Vacancy (by Mike45 [NV]) Jan 28, 2015 2:02 PM
Vacancy (by S i d [MO]) Jan 28, 2015 4:08 PM
Vacancy (by Shannon [VA]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 6:06 AM
Message:
State Specific Question About: VIRGINIA (VA)
Hello All,
When is a home considered Vacant? My grandmother left her home for 8 months and did not turn off utilities or move furniture out. A water line burst in the house and now insurance only wants to cover half the cost because they say the house was vacant.
What does VA law state?
any insight is useful --72.204.xxx.xxx |
Vacancy (by Pattyk [MO]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 6:13 AM
Message:
Grand mother was the homeowner? --66.87.xx.xxx |
Vacancy (by Shannon [VA]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 6:14 AM
Message:
Vacancy (by Pattyk [MO]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 6:18 AM
Message:
Who told the insurance company she wasn't there? --66.87.xx.xxx |
Vacancy (by shannon [VA]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 6:22 AM
Message:
We did. When they asked was she her and we said no. we had to bring her to stay with us because she was ill. --72.204.xxx.xxx |
Vacancy (by Pattyk [MO]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 6:26 AM
Message:
What does your policy say? Sometimes iit's best to hire an insurance ...what's the name... they represent insurance clients when the company and yourself can't come to an agreement. Supppse there was lots of damage that when on and on but may have been limited had someone been there and acted faster. --66.87.xx.xxx |
Vacancy (by tryan [MA]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 8:33 AM
Message:
wow ... an illness is not abandonment ... I would think a lawyer would have fun with that case. Slam dunk. --24.147.xx.xxx |
Vacancy (by Pattyk [MO]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 10:14 AM
Message:
i think you are smart to challenge it, people do take long vacations and as tryan wrote above, the property was not abandoned. --173.113.xx.xx |
Vacancy (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 10:42 AM
Message:
Shannon,
Normal for ins cos to give you a line on the first try. Keep pushing.
Contact First Call Public Adjustors 888.750.7445
Tell 'em Brad sent you! They have been very good to me.
-Brad --67.175.xx.xxx |
Vacancy (by Shannon [VA]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 10:57 AM
Message:
thanks Brad for both insights --72.204.xxx.xxx |
Vacancy (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 11:41 AM
Message:
Hire a public adjuster,they work for you and do a real good job,worth the cost you have to pay them.The insurance company answers to the shareholders not the policy holders. --24.92.xx.xx |
Vacancy (by Mike45 [NV]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 2:02 PM
Message:
Tyran: the word here is "vacant" not "abandoned."
Shannon, you need to read the policy (not the Declarations Page) and see if the policy defines "vacant." They normally do have a definition or use other words. Because technically, my home right now is "vacant" -- my wife and I are both out now and no one is home. Thus, the property could be considered "vacant." Most policies will say something about the property being vacant for a period of 90 days or more.
During that 90 days (or whatever), did you ever go inside the property? To pick up grandma's mail or to water the plants or to check on things? While you were inside the house, was it "vacant"?
You need an atty or a adjuster to discuss this with the insurance company.
--184.6.xxx.xxx |
Vacancy (by S i d [MO]) Posted on: Jan 28, 2015 4:08 PM
Message:
I agree with the advice to seek help from an adjustor; however, bear in mind that most insurance policies do have exclusions to limit their risk. Each policy will be different, and unless they are a really bad company their policies are specifically crafted to line up in accordance with state law and regulations. Insurance is a heavily regulated industry, so there isn't much wiggle room except to determine market values / replacement values of certain items.
Where I'm going with this is the insurance company may be perfectly in the right to deny 50% of the loss up front and you may not be able to do anything about that. If your policy says the owner must take reasonable steps to protect the property against loss when vacant for so many days, I think reasonable steps include leaving the heat on and/or winterizing the pipes and shutting off water during cold weather.
On the other hand, for the 50% they MUST pay, the public adjustor would be able to help ensure they do pay the FULL 50% of whatever the cost is to repair or replace vs. them trying to tells you item A costs $2000 (they give you 50% or $1000) when in reality is costs $4000 (the adjustor will say they owe you $2000).
--108.250.xxx.xxx |
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