lawyer for property damage claim dispute with insurance?

hi,
looking for advice on a good attorney to represent me in an ongoing battle with my insurance company over the damage from a stolen car wrecking into my townhome’s stoop. insurance as of now is basically offering sub-repair cost and a structural engineer is saying the entire structure needs replaced, so obviously a wide gulf in opinion but insurance is standing firm. i guess i dont have any other options at this point. really appreciate any help!

solehappy

in General Discussion 4 years and 5 months ago

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Guest User | 4 years and 4 months ago

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I can’t comment on the borings, cost etc – that needs to be seen and examined. However, one does need a permit for structural work even if it is a repair. This is straight from the DOB. I called them about something similar. And I also agree that useless permits are headaches but if you do structural work and someone complains, that is also a big headache. Best to pay an engineer for a site visit and then make those calls.

hkapstein | 4 years and 4 months ago

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@restorationcontractor, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Soil borings for stoop? Useless permits that will bring a ton of headaches? This is about helping a guy get his house fixed, not getting you and your friends paid. Why would the footings be damaged? Why would it cost 10s of thousands of dollars to pour new footings? Two guys in 1 or two days could make a complete foundation for those steps, if that’s even necessary. That’s easy less than 2k. The structure is not where the cost is, is mainly the stucco that’s expensive of these projects.

This is absolutely bologna, and I’m calling it out.

restorationcontractor | 4 years and 4 months ago

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Urbandad as OP said his structural engineer is saying the entire structure needs to be replaced.

Stoop replacement or major repair will definitely require a DOB permit (& LPC if it’s in a historic district).

Can’t really comment too much on cost without seeing it but for a licensed, insured contractor to do demolition, proper footings, construct new stairs, brownstone stucco, ironwork etc., etc. to do the job properly will be well north of 25k.

Also as OP said even the bottom feeders can’t come close to 25k.

Cookthebooks the only way to do this is to get written proposals for everything that could possibly need to be done to repair this in the most anal, perfectionist, by the book way possible. Then settle, it’s your choice what you do after that.
For example things like soil borings/load tests for new stair footings, etc.

The only way you are going to get whole on this is to go after everything possible. You really need the help of an adjuster on this. If you want to contact me I can give you the contact info. of the guy I used.

hkapstein | 4 years and 4 months ago

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No one coming close to 25k? Does that sound right for a stoop rebuild? Also, do you actually need a permit for this? I don’t think you technically need one repair it the way it was. You could get an LPC permit if you need one without filing a DOB permit, but if it’s just being repaired the way it was you don’t really need it. How much is the insurance company willing to pay?

solehappy | 4 years and 4 months ago

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for the record, i cant find anyone willing to repair this thing properly for anywhere close to $25k. a few people close to that number seem clearly to be uninsured and not aware of permitting requirements.

restorationcontractor | 4 years and 4 months ago

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How are you justifying the cost to the insurance company? Do you have written estimates?

I just went through this something similar after a major NYC construction company crushed my storm sewer line during neighborhood gas main replacement (unbeknownst to me) right before a heavy rain. All custom woodwork, the damage was extensive.

I used an adjuster who is also a contractor, my attorney chimed in as he needed to during all the back and forth. My insurance company would not pay claiming flood wasn’t covered so we went after their insurance (if we had wound up in court we would have went after my insurance co. as well)

You need to document and price the full replacement cost to meet current code, footings below frost line, filing, permitting, etc., etc. everything that could possibly be spent to do the replacement in the most expensive way possible, then settle.

I was calling my attorney’s cell phone the morning of the damage wanting him in court that day to initiate a lawsuit. He wisely calmed me down and explained to me how court should only be used as an absolute last resort, you want to avoid.

Bottom line thanks to the adjuster (who was well worth his fee) and my lawyers minor inputs I came out ahead.

Urbandad the cost for a proper stoop replacement can be well north of 20k.
I assume you meant off the shelf simple wrought iron railings for the 2-5k. If you are talking about replacing cast iron railings large main posts can easily be 5k for a single post, smaller spindles and reproduction railings, turns, rolled ends etc. can all add up to lots of $.

hkapstein | 4 years and 4 months ago

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A stoop rebuild is costing what these days, probably 20k? maybe 2-5k more if you have cast iron railings that need replacement. Get some bids done and then bring them to the insurance company and try to settle. Honestly, how much time do you want to spend dealing with a 25k repair? If a lawyer charges you 5k on this, are you even saving money?

helen40

in General Discussion 4 years and 4 months ago

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So much of this depends on what your homeowner’s policy really covers. If it isnt for full replacement, then you may be out of luck. There is probably some liability coverage on the car through no-fault and or if the driver or owner has additional coverage. And your insurance company should be going after that. But maybe not enough for the full replacement that your engineer says you need.

Whats the difference in offer and estimate?

Sounds like you need someone to review your policy and see what you are covered for.
Maybe another broker or company will review if you say you are shopping around. A lawyer will cost you money regardless and you cant be sure they will change the outcome.

stevecym | 4 years and 5 months ago

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Wow, this is still going on?

Are autos not insured no matter who is driving? I get it, if mine was stolen the first i would do is drop the insurance.