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Old July 5th 05, 06:53 AM
Ed Price
 
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"John" wrote in message
news:Wkmye.61939$%Z2.8135@lakeread08...
If an agent, a representative of an insurance company, sells and the
company accepts a property then anything that happens (if fortuitous, or
accidental) to that property is covered as long as it falls within the
policy language, perils insured against and property covered.

The company can't come back AFTER a loss and deny payment because of
something not defined in the policy. They can't just make it up after the
fact.

73


I'll bet that there's "language in the policy" that is sufficiently vague
and flexible such that the company can stretch a loophole for anything that
it wants. Maybe I'm too paranoid, but the insurance company expects that an
insured property is a normal and typical example of materials and
construction, and that due care was applied to the design. Further, the
property should be in compliance with local existing building codes and
standards.

If you wired half your house with lamp cord, never got a permit, and have no
record of inspection, do you think the company agent should know this by
himself? If the loss is big enough, and especially if there's some unusual
circumstances (fire inspector's report, neighbor's claims), then the
company's lawyers have plenty of room to work in. You may have the utmost
confidence in your own workmanship, but, if the insurance company is trying
to avoid a $500k claim, all they have to do is say "no." So then what
happens? You take the insurance company to court, and they ask you about
your experience in soils engineering, concrete construction, structural
engineering, calculation of wind loading, welding certifications, experience
with lightning protection, etc. They will cut you up into very small pieces.

Everything unusual about your property should be defined, and if your agent
is still eager to sell you a policy despite your "creative engineering",
then I would start to wonder why the agent is so desperate to sell policies.

--
Ed
WB6WSN
El Cajon, CA USA