Chapter 12 - The Insurance Company Did Not Punish Me for Someone Else’s Crime
For weeks I was afraid:
nothing would be covered.
People told me:
“If it’s arson, insurance won’t pay.”
Oversimplified.
An insurer may deny coverage when the insured person intentionally causes:
the loss.
I had not.
Vivian was not:
an owner
or:
named insured.
My carrier completed:
its investigation,
cooperated with law enforcement,
reviewed the fire findings.
The process took:
months.
Not days.
They paid:
temporary living expenses
under policy provisions while the claim was reviewed.
Then accepted coverage for the fire loss subject to:
policy terms,
valuation,
documentation.
The house was not literally:
ashes.
But damage was severe.
Smoke throughout.
Structural repairs.
Roof.
Wiring.
Drywall.
Water damage.
Contents.
The repair estimate approached:
$360,000.
Our remaining mortgage was around:
$272,000.
The policy provided enough to:
repair
rather than automatically handing me a giant check.
Then I had to decide:
Do I rebuild?
Everyone expected:
yes.
It was Daniel’s house.
Grace’s nursery.
Our memories.
That was exactly why I eventually decided:
no.
I authorized necessary stabilization and repairs sufficient for:
sale
after consulting the lender and insurer.
Another family bought the property during restoration with full disclosure.
I did not abandon:
Daniel.
I sold:
a building.
May you like
That distinction took therapy.
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