Who is responsible?

[nina veale]

I had ice and water damage in Jan 2003. My fascia & sofit were pulled away from the house leaving a gaping hole near the roof line. My insurance company came and said I needed to replace the sofit etc. I asked about mold and water damage and they said there was none. The house was not repaired for months and even though I asked if I could do anything I was told it was all right. After my claim was settled for
$1900.00 I decided to added the difference and have my whole house redone (sofit, gutters, fascia) now I have a bowed exterior wall on my wood siding exactly where the damaged happened, and mold in the middle of the bathroom wall under where the sofit separated. What do you think happened? Who is responsible?

[Rich]

I would say the insurance company.. but it's highly unlikely that they'll make it right. Do you have documentation of what happened between you and insurance company? Such as any letters or any correspondence stating the timeframe and that it was alright to wait.. or where they stated there was no damage as far as mold, etc goes?
If you do then you might have a fighting chance anyway.
You might talk to your contractor also - it could have been a coincidence that it happened in that very spot.. but it could be a faulty installation. If it was completely redone then they should have fixed the area completely.

[nina veale]

I have someone from the insurance company coming to my home next Friday. They have all the paperwork that you described. What should my approach be. They said nothing was moldy. However, they said nothing about wet insullation or studs. I believe that the wall should have been opened when the ice damage ripped the sofit and facsia away from the roof leaving a hole exposed to the elements.
Can you offer any words of advice as to my approach with the adjuster. I am a fighter, so fire away. What would you say if it happened to you?
Nina

[Rich]

No problem on the wet insulation / studs as that was probably directly related to the mold / rot.
I would state point blank - that what they stated in their letter was incorrect and they should fire their inspection team. It's obviously incorrect as I'm sitting here looking at mold in my wall.
Put it back on them any chance you get..i.e. "In this letter I received on x/x/xx your so called inspector said there was no damage from mold.. which was obvisouly incorrect - as I'm looking at it right now. Your company prides itself on being there for homeowners so what are you going to do to make it right?" That'll put the ball in their court but with you holding the power. If they come back with some smart comments - say "Do you own a home? Have you had any trouble in the past? Would you expect the insurance company to pay for this?"

[nina veale]

Rich, you are my kind of man. Great thoughts, great words!
Thanks for the advice, I will use your approach and I am expecting good things.
I love this site!
Nina