[StBernard] Arbitration

[Westley Annis]

Here's a note of mine that I wrote about arbitration in April. I went
through the process in late February with State Farm:

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Here's what worked for many:

First go wo www.ldi.state.la.us and file a complaint on their site
(Louisiana Department of Insurance website. Fill it out online and you'll
get a response from your insurance company within a week (for me, the next
day). (1-225-342-5900

For me, with the insurance company complaint, I complained my roof was
weaked by the wind and rain of Katrina. (Loosened shingles, wind/water
pushed under. That the roof was damaged/shingles now weakened condition.
They paid me again for the shingles roof ($5,000).

I complained about my fence being damaged/weakened, etc.. I got an
additional 5 Grand for the fence. I complained about other significant
things like trees, rescue workers defacing home/knocking down doors, etc. I
got extra for it.

After they wouldn't pay for "Wind damage" (flood waters touched from the
ground to the ceiling), I decided to go into the mediation mode and called:

Go to the American Arbitration Website at www.adr.org to file a complaint
(also, You'll hear from them within a week or so wanting to set up an
arbitration/mediation between the insurance company.1-504-522-8781). Within
a month, I was at a mediation table complaining my point. Although they were
stern as to what their power could do beyond what's been paid, I was
refunded my $2450 deductible which made the trip worthwhile and the
mediation was paid for by State Farm Ins.  You didn't mention your company,
but it might be worth a shot.

After the mediation, I reserve the right to have my attorney at a later date
as I could possibly file suit if things don't progress as planned.(Also: one
can accompany you if you call 1-800-310-7029 - American Bar Assoc. which can
work with you on contingency that you retrieve any additional money if you
don't feel like you can't discuss it at the table with the independent/not
taking either side mediator. 

I have another idea in the works but could not discuss it at this time. 

Good luck and hope you get more bucks than the measly $3,000. I fought after
the original $3,000 and wound up with $18,000 which was worth the effort.

--jer--