Dear Ms. Palermo:
I am writing to you because neither Joseph Munson or David Mateer have returned my emails or phone calls.
To give you some background, my home burned down on Nov 14, 2010. I met with Ed Castillo, the structural appraiser for Allstate on Nov 17, 2010 where he stated the damage estimate would be complete in 6-8 weeks. Based on a 6-8 week time line, I should have received Allstate's estimate between Dec 29th 2010 and Jan 12, 2011. It was not until March 4, 2011, did I receive Ed's first estimate. Ed waited until Zott Construction submitted their estimate on my behalf on Feb 10, 2011 before issuing his, stall tactic #1, resulting in a 7 week delay. Ed estimated $176,287 to repair the house that clearly could not be repaired based on the log cabin construction. Allstate stood by the $176,287 and requested proof that the house must come down in a meeting on Mar 25, 2011.
On May 3, 2011, the Town of Pawling concurred with my Architect's report, that the house must be torn down in a letter and issued a demolition permit in support of its letter. On May 10, 2011, Allstate issued their second offer of $249,857 to rebuild the house. However, this time there was a major change in the way the information was being presented, instead of being broken out line by line as was done in the original offer of $176,287, it was now consolidated into a Marshall Swift square footage report where it is impossible to determine if $249,857 is a fair amount or not. When I asked Ed Castillo and Matt D'Angelo for the report to be broken out line by line I was given a flat 'No'. Matt indicated, that Zott should be able to figure out the estimate and that if I didn't like what was being offered, we would go straight to appraisal. In our conversation, I said all I wanted was a breakdown so I could determine if the number was a fair value. Matt refused to discuss it, was hostile in his tone and said we were going to appraisal. When I asked how long the appraisal process would take, Matt said 1-2 months, stall tactic #2. Appraisal will result in another 4-8 week delay. I called Joseph Munson and David Mateer's offices to discuss the matter and both refused to take my calls or respond to my emails which is extremely unprofessional.
If we do end up going to appraisal, which I sincerely hope we do not, Allstate will be required by the appraisal process itself to provide a line by line report to defend their position of $249,857. I do not see why Allstate will not give it to me now to save ourselves another delay. In an email to Matt and Ed earlier this week, I attempted to negotiate the $53,562 difference and settle out for $276, 638 which was flatly declined. I am not asking to be reimbursed for the full amount of my policy ($361,820 + 25% extended coverage = $452,275) only the amount that it will cost to rebuild what I had. By going to appraisal, Allstate is employing not only another stalling tactic but are simultaneously employing an intimidation tactic as well. Allstate knows as well as I do, that my ALE ends on Nov 13, 2011 and by going to appraisal will add another 8 weeks to the time line leaving me little time to rebuild before my family and I become homeless and are out on the street. Allstate is strong arming me to settle for $249,857, tactic #3.
As a result of the delays caused by Allstate, I expect my ALE to be extended by the same time period. To be fair, if we do not go to appraisal I would only expect my ALE to be extend 7 weeks because Ed took 4 months to give his report rather 1.5 - 2 months as promised. However, if we do go to appraisal, I would expect my ALE to be extend an additional 15 weeks (to include Ed's initial delay plus the 8 week delay of the appraisal process). I do not believe my family and I should be punished for Allstate's intentional delays.
At the end of the day, there is $53,562 between us and a settlement. Again, to be fair and keep this process moving forward, I am not taking the most expensive estimate given by my architect, I am taking Zott's original estimate of $303,419 (issued on 2/10/11) as those numbers were generated using insurance industry data base standards to reach its total. My concern is that your offer of $249,857 using Marshall Swift Square Footage does not include the 35% increase required for the NY regional adjustment over the national average or the appropriate amount of O&P. If the report were broken out line by line I would be able to make this determination.
I want to settle and feel that my behavior to date has earned me the right to discuss the matter rather than being dismissed by your management staff. I want to settle for $303,419 and begin building immediately to avoid further delays. I expect a response by 5pm 5/20 to this email, if I do not receive answers from you, I am forced to the following avenues to air my grievances. I will report Allstate to the Attorney General's Office for the State of NY and the New York State Insurance Department for exploiting the insured by intentionally using stalling and intimidation tactics to settle for less than is owed. Finally, I will entertain an offer from a friend at a major network, who wants to do a segment on Insurance companies. They feel my family's circumstances will make a wonderful illustration of how the insured are not safe in the hands of their insurance company. I have been fending off this story in the hopes of being treated fairly but based on the stalling and intimidation tactics employed by your staff, the reluctance of your management team to return my calls and emails, it is clear that Allstate has no intention of treating me fairly.
I am a single mother of two, whose elderly parents live with her. My father is semi-paralyzed and is in a wheel chair after suffering a stroke. My mother, also 80, has been hospitalized since fire as she struggles with her ailing husband and the stress of the unfair treatment by Allstate. Personally, I have been unable to file my 2010 taxes because Allstate refuses to settle which is causing a huge problem as I am trying to finalize financial aid for my daughter to attend college in the fall. My daughter's education and parent's health should not even be in play here but are because of Allstate's tactics. Allstate's behavior has far reaching consequences into our lives. My family's health and well being is at stake, this is not just about a roof over our heads it is about doing the right thing for the insured.
I have reached out to you in good faith and expect the same in return. If I do not hear from your office by end of day Friday, May 20, I will release my grievances to the state agencies and the press. Perhaps the court of public opinion will have a greater effect on you to act in good faith rather than just my asking to be treated fairly.
I hope your tag line becomes a reality - "You are in good hands with Allstate."
Kind regards,
Regan Andrews
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