Shore condo pipe breaks, flooding reader with insurance problems
The adjuster found lots of reasons not to pay.
D
EAR HARRY: We have a serious problem at our condo down the Shore. A major pipe broke awhile ago, washing out much of our foundation and separating walls from floors. It was one holy mess! The condo-insurance company paid for the repairs, but this was followed by a big assessment. In addition, each owner carries his or her own insurance. Every other owner's claim for the assessment was settled, but our adjuster found all kinds of "reasons" not to pay. Our policy does not cover repetitive leaks, so he decided that this was not one leak. It does not cover leaks for more than 15 days, so he decided that the leak was longer than that. He knows that all the others affected got their claims settled, but he won't budge. We have tried every method of persuasion imaginable, but he will not budge. His supervisor refuses to intervene. Help!
WHAT HARRY SAYS: This toad must have an inflated idea of his own infallibility. My guess is that your policy is virtually identical to all the others, and should have been settled promptly. I recommend two things: First, try to get over his supervisor's head within the company. The next step is to contact the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, at 800-446-7467. They'll get this toad off his lily pad.
Email Harry Gross at harrygrossDN@gmail.com, or
write to him at Daily News, 801 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Harry urges all his readers to give blood. Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-Red Cross.