Problem Solver: Allstate Awning Claim

“I was in the kitchen and I heard an awful racket,“ said homeowner Ruenette Willis.

Seconds later the 60 foot awning on Willis’s home came crashing down. The weight of the snow from a March storm was too much for the old awning to handle. When she called Allstate to file a claim on her homeowners insurance she says she got a letter saying she wouldn’t receive any money because the value of the awning had depreciated to an amount less than her deductible.

“You can’t give an estimate over the telephone and that’s what they did,“ said Willis. She complained that no one visited her home before determining a value for her awning. But Mrs. Willis says Allstate did visit her home once 7 On Your Side asked for answers. She was sent a $500 plus check and claims Allstate was willing to pay the $1700 estimate to replace it.

“It’s like a weight lifted off my shoulders,“ Willis said.

Her son-in-law, Jim Fitzgerald, says the claim should have been taken care of without our help.

“They got this policy that says ‘You’re in good hands with Allstate’ and I just am wondering where those good hands were when she first called them,“ asked Fitzgerald.

During a phone interview we told Allstate’s spokesperson, Shane Robinson, that our viewers would feel Allstate changed their decision on the claim because we got involved. He replied, “No, I think probably, and I don’t know the history of this case in general and I don’t talk about specifics anyway, but I think in generally speaking Allstate always wants to pay what we owe when our customers have a covered loss.“

Robinson says Allstate insists they want customers to feel they have the opportunity to have their file revisited during a dispute. But Mrs. Willis and her son-in law insist that wouldn’t have happened without the watchful eye of 7 On Your Side.
“I appreciate them doing something later but we shouldn’t have had to go to this extreme to do it,“ said Fitzgerald.

7 On Your Side always wants to make sure you know what to do if you’re stuck in an insurance squabble. The SC Department of Insurance says if you have have a dispute request that an adjuster come to the site. If that doesn’t work contact the Department of Insurance at 800-768-3467 to file a complaint. Click here for a link to the complaint form.
 
10 Things You Should Know About Purchasing Home Insurance (From SC Department of Insurance website)
You Need Home Insurance
Homeowners need to purchase home insurance to protect their homes and personal property. Tenants need insurance to protect their furniture and other personal property. Everyone needs protection against liability for accidents that injure other people or damage their property.

Decide How Much Coverage You Need
The better your coverage, the less you will have to pay out of your own pocket if disaster strikes. In some cases, your lender decides how much coverage you need and may require you to buy a policy that covers at least the amount of the mortgage. It is important to note that the amount of coverage you buy for your house, contents and personal property will affect your cost.

Compare Deductibles
The deductible is the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket on each claim and applies only to coverage on your house and personal property. Make sure when choosing a policy that you are comfortable paying the deductible if you make a claim. Remember, a policy with a $100 deductible will cost more than one with a $250 deductible. Higher deductibles may be available at a reduced price.

Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value?
You have the option to choose to insure your home and belongings for either replacement cost or actual cash value. Replacement cost is the amount it would take to replace or rebuild your home or repair damages with materials of similar kind and quality, without deducting for depreciation. It is important to insure your home for at least 80 percent of its replacement value. Actual cash value is the amount it would take to repair or replace damage to your home after depreciation.

Shop Around Before You Buy
You are not required to purchase insurance from the company your lender recommends. There are a number of unbiased sources available to find out what different insurers charge for identical products and services.

Ask Your Agent About Discounts
In some states, insurers offer lower prices for such things as insuring your home and car with the same company, installing deadbolt locks or alarm systems or replacing the roof.

Basic Coverages Available
Whether you own or rent, there are different packages of home insurance offered to protect your home and belongings. Each package protects against a specified number of events that cause damage to property, such as fire, windstorm and theft.  In addition, each package policy usually contains four additional types of coverage: property damage, additional living expenses, personal liability and medical payments.

Where to Shop
Check the newspaper and yellow pages of the telephone directory for companies and agents in your area. In addition, ask your neighbors, relatives and friends for recommendations on insurance companies and agents. Remember to shop around to get the best price and service.

Read Your Policy Carefully
You should be aware that a home insurance policy is a legal contract. It is written so that your rights and responsibilities, as well as those of the insurance company, are clearly stated. When you purchase home insurance, you will receive a policy. You should read that policy and make certain you understand its contents. Keep your policy in a safe place and know the name of your insurer.

Review Your Home Insurance Needs Every Year
Check with your insurance agent at least once a year to make sure your policy provides adequate coverage. The addition of a room, new insulation or remodeling add value to your home and, therefore, may increase replacement cost.