any insurance agents, or adjusters here?

[Clark]

my hay barn  20 ft. tall and 160 ft. long got hit by a micro burst yesterday and it isnt lookin real good.. it is now leaning at about 15 degrees.. it is 25 years old and the pressure treated posts are semi rotten is the reason for the weakness.. my question is since 2 days ago i had a viable and safe structure and now I dont.. does that constitute a loss?? it is now a liability for anyone to enter since the structural integrity has been compromised.. is that considered a loss or does it have to fall down to be a loss?  does the fact the posts have rotted negate coverage??thanks

[old2soon]

It's been awhile but i had roof damage from wind while living in East texas. My ins adjuster gave me my choice of people to repair and he waited before he cut the check to see how much more damage was not visible to the eye. The roof had leaked some long before i bought it but my ins made it all good.  BUT this was back in the early 80s. Are you friends with your ins agent?? May or may not help. Hope my ancient history is of some help to you. RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

Get a copy and read your ins policy..... is it separate, or part of your homeowners?

If it fell on someone, your liability would probably cover it, but if it is near the end of its useful life (rotted support beams) comprehensive coverage (or whatever it's called) may not be there.  Exclusions for Acts of God (weather, flood, earthquake, volcano) are also pretty common in property coverage (thou I always thought blaming God was unfair).

Call your company and ask.  Course they are only friendly when paying premiums, not making claims, and cannot be entirely trusted (as you know).  If they deny, ask them to show you exactly where in the policy you are not covered (may be one or more pertinent clauses).  If this does not satisfy you, walk the policy down to a lawyer and get a consult.  

Even if covered it most likely would be depreciated to current fair market value (25yo bldg with rotten beams) (or straight-line depreciated), less any deductible, and not repaired if that is more costly than its value (again, depending on your actual policy coverage).  Same as a totaled car (except they won't take your building away).  

If it can't be repaired, cost of competed demolition may be an issue (vrs fair market value).  If it can be repaired, cost of repair vrs demolition and replacement will be an issue to you.  Again, depending on coverage.

No expert here, but it sounds like it might be repairable if it can be pushed/pulled/jacked up straight and supports replaced (without getting killed).    

You should be able to tell the ins people what it cost you and when, and have an idea of replacement cost for the same quality building, before calling.  If there is coverage, they will want a repair estimate, or an expert saying it can't be done.  They use theirs, but you can use yours if you want.

[9Ball]

There are professionals that you can hire to help with the insurance issues.  They charge a fee based on recovery, but they are advocates for you, not the insurance company.

Might be worthwhile especially since it isn't a "black or white" situation...your insurance company is only looking for any excuse to deny or reduce your claim.

Here's a local example....

http://citizenspublicadjusters.clickforward.com/index.html

[Clark]

There are professionals that you can hire to hwelp with the insurance issues.  They charge a fee based on recovery, but they are advocates for you, not the insurance company.

Might be worthwhile especially since it isn't a "black or white" situation...your insurance company is only looking for any excuse to deny or reduce your claim.

Here's a local example....

http://citizenspublicadjusters.clickforward.com/index.html

cooll thanks everyone