State Farm Insurance and Act of God Question

[3weddings]

The fence we share with the neighbour to our left fell over on Saturday night.
We called our insurance company (Chubb) and they are falling all over us getting this resolved, even making sure a temp. fence goes in while we wait on a contractor (we have 2 dogs).

The neighbour has indicated that his insurance will not cover the repairs, and they simply don't have the money to fix the fence over $800.

We have three quotes so far all within reason and are anxious to get started. However the neighbour's wife has indicated she is 'cheap' and only wants the lowest quote (from her friend) and will wait until the end of the month when he is available.

Unfortunately Georgetown does not allow for sending the town the bill and having it added to the other parties taxes :(

Our insurance company was stunned to hear that State Farm will not cover this damage.
Is anyone here with State Farm, that could possibly confirm this for me?

I need my fence back, and since it's only costing us the deductible, we don't care how much it will cost.

http://photos-f.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v644/124/116/565935360/n565935360_6614389_338727.jpg

Thanks Gang!

[jerryhung]

My friend has a collapsed section of the fence as well (12 feet long, 6 feet tall)
Neighbour seems very willing to share (they have a dog, so more critical)

Got a quote recently
Wanted $1200 minimim
but "only" $1700 if I do the "entire" fence (46 x 6)

Other quotes are like $1500 so even worse

I will ask him to call State Farm as well and inquire
The idea didn't even occur to me

[3weddings]

Thanks, appreciate it.

We will be redoing the entire fence with new posts and reusing as much of the existing material as possible.
We have 17 8 foot sections and will be replacing all the posts. Adding in about 30 unsalvageable 1x6 boards, some trellis, the grooved 2x4s and some misc. materials our lowest quote was $1700, the next was $2250 plus the misc. materials and 2600 for a complete redo by the company Chubb sent out.

I have to say Chubb is amazing!! Any past claims and this one are handled with a go ahead without question. Two of our downspouts are also down, and those were repaired immediately!

[3weddings]

Anyone have any input? Thanks

[rems]

Our insurance company was stunned to hear that State Farm will not cover this damage.
Is anyone here with State Farm, that could possibly confirm this for me?




It also depends on the type of coverage they purchased. If they just bought a policy where only specific perils are covered and this wasn't one of them, then that would be a reason to deny payment. And since your neighbours said they were "cheap" it could be the case.

[3weddings]

They had wind damage to their roof last year and it was covered (so the owner says), odd that this isn't.

That being said, the company that Chubb sent out is crazy!! Their quote to fix only half the fence is double the others!! They are even charging us for a dumpster with 4 tonnes of debris!? What debris??? Oye :confused:

Hopefully we can find someone soon, the dogs miss being outside any time they want :(

[pkguy]

I recollect a 60 Minutes piece on State Farm after Hurricane Katrina where they were denying all sorts of claims that other insurers were paying. Claiming that obvious wind damage to homes etc was "flood" damage thereby not covered etc.
google state farm complaints

[hagbard]

State Farm are scum bags. Never used them, but from observation.

[tjthemanto]

It also depends on the type of coverage they purchased. If they just bought a policy where only specific perils are covered and this wasn't one of them, then that would be a reason to deny payment. And since your neighbours said they were "cheap" it could be the case.

It also depends upon whether they have a policy that covers extensions in the backyard or not .

Some policies don't consider the fence ,decks or a detached car garage ( not attached but separate from the house in the back ) as a part of the house & hence are not covered. The garage directly attached to the house is covered.

My policy actually has a paragraph where it says that extensions in my back yard or garden like pots ,plants , sheds ,tools in the shed etc are not covered in event of a fire . I can cover them for a very small charge though . It probably also considers the fence as an extension in my backyard & not part of the house.

Your policy probably has all these extensions covered & your neighbours policy doesn't have these extensions covered .

If you go for a cheap bare bones policy there will be lot of exclusions in it.

[tjthemanto]

I need my fence back, and since it's only costing us the deductible, we don't care how much it will cost.


Thanks Gang!

It might be just costing you a deductible right now but you are probably getting a NO CLAIMS discount from your insurance company .

In future you will lose this NO CLAIMS discount if you make a claim now.

I am sure in future they will use this claim to jack up your rate/premiums .

Make sure with them if this claim affects your future premiums or not .

Every claim you make goes on your record irrespective of whether the deductible covers it or not & can be used to increase your insurance when it comes up for renewal.

See the link below from CBC Marketplace.

http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/home/insurance/

[robbiex1]

I'm not sure about your homeowner's policy but I think that if the fence is covered by your policy Chubb will have it replaced regardless of whether or not your neighbor's insurance will pay for it unless they have a specific clause saying they will only pay 50%.

If there is no such clause and it is covered, they should settle with you, make it right and then if there's any potential to recoup money from the other insurer they will try.

At least that's how it works with say damage to your property by a fire or something at your neighbours. Fencing might be different though...

[sillysimms]

I guess it depends on their particular policy. We've been with State Farm for a long time and have been very happy. I've never personally had to put a claim in (I guess that's when you find out how great they really are!) However my parents had a bunch of siding blow off the side of their house last year due to the wind. State Farm had it repaired quickly. It was their first property claim in 20 years with State Farm and their policy did not increase.

However, it would likely depend on exactly what type of policy they purchased and if this is their second claim it may impact their premiums more significantly.

[rpeatt]

Why not get your insurance to cover the fence and then consider splitting the deductible with your neighbor?