General Chat / Fire... :-(

Recently (last week), my flat was gutted out by fire, because the twits next door to me went out and left hot oil burning on the stove, which thus boiled over and caught fire, thus turning everything they, AND I OWN, into dust. I lost everything.

I asked if my belongings were to be replaced. I don't have Home and Contents Insurance, as I had only just settled down. My Real Estate Agent has told me that unless I had insurance, there was nothing that could be done. BULLSHIT.

I lost my entire flat and everything inside it because of someone else's "reckless endangerment". A few people have brought up something called a Public Liability Amendment, which entitles me to either have everything replaced, or a payout to cover the large items (such as a TV, fridge... etc) that had been destroyed.

What advice can anyone give me on what to do, realistically? I don't want to go through god knows how much legal bullshit, only to have the phrase "There's nothing we can do for you", be the final say in the matter.

Thankyou

that is a major bummer. i would ask for a payout. thats me.

i'm really sorry to here the bad news man, at least your ok.

well since it's their fault you can always sue them for the damages, but that could take a while.

I would sue them, but they have nothing left either... it'd be pointless. Besides, I'd feel rather cruel to sue someone who has nothing.

Maybe change your name....

I'd sue them. Or have them arrested. That's just jacked.

Although if you don't have insurance, you're pretty much left with little alternative. Sorry to hear about this.

Get the advice of a solicitor.

I lost my entire flat and everything inside it because of someone else's "reckless endangerment".

When you say this, are you referring to yourself for not having insurance???


Sounds like your up a creek without a paddle! I'd say sue them, whether they have anything left or not, at least you could kick them while they are down.

Wow, I can actually help you, as I am actually a Property Insurance Adjuster myself.

First off, if you don't have Home Owner's insurance, then the only way you will collect anything is off the 3rd party's HO policy (that is IF they have one).

Some key questions - Does this other party responsible for the fire have any insurance?....if so, has a claim been started?

Here are your scenerio's:

Best scenerio
-If the other party DOES have insurance and DOES have a claim started, then I would do what you have to do to get the claim #, adjuster name, phone and the carrier name. Follow up as need be, make sure they are aware of your damages too, not just their insured's.

Next best scenerio
-If the other party DOES have insurance, but no claim has been started, then I would do whatever you have to do to get the name of the insurance carrier, then call them ASAP to start a claim for your damages. Either that or MAKE SURE that this other party puts their carrier on notice ASAP.

Worst scenerio
-If the other party DOES NOT have any insurance, well you're in trouble. The only way you would recover is with a civil lawsuit, which would mean you hiring a lawyer and possibly waiting months, even years for anything to happen within the court system.



It certainly sounds like liability is in your favor here, but it really all boils down to what insurance has been purchased, what it covers and if it was effective on the date of loss. If you did have your own HO policy, then you would be protected regardless and your insurance company would then go after the third party regardless. You might think about taking out a HO policy on your stuff next time....

I always knew it'd be helpful to have an insurance guy in the community... eventually...

Just no lawyers, please...

Wow. Sorry to hear you've lost everything.

If it comes down the lawsuits though, I'm sure you'll get whatever you demand (if you do decide to sue them). Unless there's some circumstance we don't know about, it comes down to them being reckless, and endangering you.

Anyway, I hope everything goes well for you.

Aérôglòbe

Christ.

Hoping everything will work out.

It's all so bloody confusing!!!!