On Oct 22 I visited my Insurance agent to see about filing a claim for water damage due to a pipe breaking in my bathroom. I learned I had a $1,000.00 deductible, being unemployed I advised my agent I could not afford it so we both agreed I should not open the claim until I save up enough money to cover the deductible. He did document on my account that I inquired about filing the claim and why we did not open it at that time.
I saved the money and contacted my agent early February (3.5 months later) to open the claim. I had a contractor out to supply the estimate as requested by the insurance company. I was contacted the following day by an adjuster who met with the contractor and myself to inspect the damages.
The adjuster was very rude, arrogant and cocky. He spent less then 5 minutes looking at damage, leaned against my kitchen counter and with a rude smirk on his face he said "I am denying your claim". I asked him why? He became even more disrespectful towards me and the contractor and said because the leak is older then 2 weeks and we have a clause in your contract to protect the insurance company.
I am now stuck with a floor that is rotted and the signs of black mold are apparent from the water damage. I asked the adjuster and his manager "what am I suppose to do now?", their response was "Dont use your bathroom". I asked what would happen if me or one of my friends were to get hurt on the unstable floor, I was advised that they would not cover anything that may happen because I now have a "pre existing condition" and its my negligence to not repair it.
I find it absurd that I did the responsible thing as a homeowner by waiting to save the needed money to cover the deductible before filing my claim and now I am being excluded for coverage because the damage is older then 2 weeks. I feel I am being treated unfairly by my insurance provider which I have put faith in and paid my premiums to faithfully. I also was informed that I have the best homeowners coverage you can purchase from Auto owners, kind of scary to think what their worst coverage is.
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