House Burned Up -- Anyone Know about Insurance?

[rox]

Dave,
So sorry to hear about your situation. In October we ahd to start foreclosure against the guy my husband sold his restaurant to. I didn't want jsut any lawyer I wanted a lawyer wo specialized in foreclosures. So I went to the Circut Cout website and looked up the Sherif's sales and read the documents and wrote down the names of attorneys who were working for the banks. Pretty soon I saw the same names coming up again and again and in the end I found a very good attorney who specialises in foreclosures and she agreed to take our case in exchange for olive oil.

I googled California appellet court rulinings involving fire insurance. I thought this link was pretty good Blumhardt, W. Eric, Archer Norris PLLC
but you can search further and find perhaps someone who is in your area. If you go the attorney route really put in some research into finding an attorney who specializes in insurance law.

This link I also found interesting Pyrocop, Inc. - Expert Witness - Forensic Expert

I have gotten to know you a bit over conversations on TBN and am of the opinion that you can handle this without an attorney, maybe. Anyway I know you are sharp enough to make that call yourself. If the adjsutor only wants you to use a fax then do like I did, go to www.efax.com and send by fax and receive by fax. I bought a fax number and I get allt he faxes sent to that phone number as a .pdf file so I ahve them electronically. Also I send faxes, Word docs and .pdf files using www.efax.com. If she wants faxes give her faxes, it will all end up by you electronically anyway. Plsu www.efax.com keeps a very nice log file and confirms that the fax was sent successfully. If oyu don't want to battle her on this point but still want things your way www.efax.com might be a good solution for you.

Maybe a few more links
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf1996/white96a.pdf
MPGroup - Expert Witness - Forensic Expert
Edmonds Associates, Consultants, Inc.
Construction Expert Witness Services; Qualifications
CertiWood Technical Centre: Engineered Wood Product Testing and Certification
Fire Insurance & Home Damage: Rebuilding Your Home


house with fire damage-how to have it checked for safety (kitchen, bedrooms) - Real Estate - City-Data Forum

That was jsut awfully awfully dumb of the realtor to leave burning candles. What was she thinking???!!!???

The very best of luck to you with this latest project, sigh.

 

[deere755]

I am sorry to hear about your loss. I pray to God that I never lose my home to a fire. I have been on the other side of the coin though as a firefighter. I have talked to several people that have lost their home and some have been real horror stories. Most will agree that the best thing that can happen is for it to burn to the ground so there is no disscussion on repairing or rebuilding. I am not sure I agree with that as there are some things that can not be replaced. The last house fire I was on I talked with the family afterwards and they told me that the adjuster was giving them a lot of problems on whether or not the house could be saved. They did not agree with saving the old house and the adjuster would not give so they asked for a new adjuster. The insurance company agreed and they were real pleased with the second one. You could try asking for a different adjuster and see if State Farm would agree to it.

 

[rox]

Dave,
I think I might have found what you are looking for and since you are a rocket scientist (yeah really he is) I think you will be able to understand this.
Click on the link to the .pdf file in the third post.
AITC (timber construction) Code Issues - How does heat/fire affect wood strength?
I think this is what you want real engineering research on fire damage to wood

 

[kenmac]

Dave, Sorry to hear about your loss. Not much to add except. Your agent shouldn't worry about the re build cost if they ( state farm ) are going after the agent's insurance co. for the cost they incure .

 

[Doc_Bob]

Dave,

If the adjsutor only wants you to use a fax then do like I did, go to www.efax.com and send by fax and receive by fax.

You can still send everything by certified letter (as well as by fax), nothing prevents from doing that. I don't have a fax, so it is my only choice and certainly the "standard" to send important documents by certified mail.
Bob

 

[ctpres]

Found this Fire & Smoke Damage Repair Guidelines Not tecnical as the other one. Good read for all. Fire dosn't discriminate. Knowing how to clean up after could save money.

 

[Stimw]

A side note- I will NEVER use ServPro again! I had water damage, they charged $400. to remove expensive carpet that I had vaccumed the water from. They told me the carpet was ruined, I said I wanted a sample to shop for new and they said they already threw it away in a dumpster. I later heard it was common to sell good removed carpet to people with rental property.
Also had my house robbed. I had total replacement coverage. They only pay you if you replace the items not for their value. I had a TV that I didn't need but had to buy a new one or loose the insurance on it.
Also on that claim I had problems with the ajuster dragging his feet. I called him 45 days after the incident. He wasn't in so I talked to his supervisor. I had a hand delivered check the next day. It seems in Florida the Ins. Co. must settle a claim within 30 days if not contested. Check on your rights under Calif. law.

 

[CurlyDave]

A side note- I will NEVER use ServPro again!

I agree. I was in Oregon at the time of the fire, the Fire Department wanted the house boarded up and ServPro was on State Farm's list of contractors.

The charged $2800 for 10 sheets of plywood and 3 guys for 4 hours to put it on the doors & windows.

Plus, they could see that the interior was a total loss, just a pile of wet ashes and sheet rock mud. But, the want me to authorize them to "extract" the water from it as a salvage measure. Just a way to line their pockets, as they could clearly see there was nothing salvageable in the mess.

 

[CurlyDave]

Many thanks to all who have responded. later today I will call those who sent me phone numbers, and respond to PMs.

I am looking at the bright side. Even though the insurance company is a bunch of tightwads, they have to rebuild it. Then I will have a brand new house to sell instead of a 20 year old used one.

 

[2manyrocks]

Possible goal: realtor buys the house for the pre-burn value and deals with rebuilding and the insurance companies. Need a lawyer to see if you can assign your claims against State Farm to her or her insurance company. Basically, gets your house sold and gets you out of this.