I am a home builder/contractor and travel to different states to set modular homes. While in MD on a jobsite last month (January), my work trailer was forcably opened (broken into) and most of my air tools and a generator were stolen. A police report was filed by MD State Police, and the tools that were taken plus the damage to the trailer was reported to them at the time. The theft/burglary had occurred during the night over the weekend.
When I bought my insurance coverage, the agent I sat down with assured me that my trailers and contents were considered as equipment and were covered should anything happen, whether they were attached to my truck or sitting on a jobsite or in my driveway. That agent is no longer with Knolls Insurance, he retired a few years ago. All my information apparently retired with him, because now Main Street is trying to say I had no coverage on the trailers... I have four trailers, two are for work and two are recreational. The first Main Street agent that called said I should report the trailers on my auto policy... She gave me a different number to call and two days later I received a letter stating that I had no coverage on the work trailer on my auto policy. I reported the incident to my Insurance Agent (Knolls Insurance who carries Main Street) on my return home. I also had an estimate done for the repairs to the work trailer. The police report was faxed to them along with the list of tools and the damage estimate on the work trailer. A claim was opened at that time.
Two weeks later, I get a phone call from a tool distributor, their 'tool guy', trying to sell me second grade tools at his cost to replace what I had stolen form my work trailer... Tools that in my 12 years of building experience, are nothing but junk. He had a generator that was not comparable or compatible to what I had stolen from me and the tools he wanted to sell me were tools that would last about a week on my jobs. The tools I had stolen were all name brand, repairable and maintainable tools. I had regular maintainence done on my equipment because most of the jobsites I go to are remote.
I gave a fair estimate to Main Street for replacement cost, and they, in return had a second rate 'tool guy' call me, without any notice that I would be receiving his call.
The estimate I gave just for the tools was for $7,700.00. The estimate to repair the work trailer was $1,699.00. Main Street sent me a check for $4,600.00 and told me that once I replace all the tools on my list, they would issue a second check for $1,700.00. I assume that was to repair the work trailer.
Now, I am trying to figure out how I am to replace $7,700.00 worth of tool for $4,600.00... Even if I bought them from their 'tool guy', it would cost me over $6,000.00... Which I refuse to do just on the principle of the matter.
Considering changing to an insurance company with the integrity to respect all hard working Americans who by chance, get into a situation where theft is not allowed to end their career.
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