CASE STUDIES

Dollar King and More – Detroit, Michigan

In November 2008, a building leased as a retail store on the Detroit/Grosse Pointe border suffered a fire loss.

Farm Bureau Insurance made a payment of $127,000.00 to the owner of the store.

On our recommendation, the owner of this dollar store demanded Appraisal (binding arbitration) against Farm Bureau.

Through the binding Appraisal process, the store owner was awarded in excess of $230,000.00 Subsequently a 12 percent penalty interest payment on the disputed amount was disbursed to the owner by the Insurer.

Upon completion of our representation of the retail store, the landlord of the building engaged Associated to resolve their dispute with their insurance company.

Through the Appraisal and subsequent adjustment process, the landlord received an additional $500,000.00 payment from their carrier.

Super 8 Motel – Lansing, Michigan

This 80 room motel suffered a major fire loss to one wing of the building.

The Insurer made a payment for building repairs and refused to negotiate further.

In dispute resolution the client was awarded over three times the Insurer's payment. The client was also paid 12 percent penalty interest, though the Insurer earlier refused to make the interest payment.

The Insured denied the claim for Loss of Business Income, but ultimately paid an amount in six digits.

Charles and Nancy Gray – White Lake, Michigan

This client's home suffered fire damage resulting from a lightning strike. Allstate's incomplete property list combined with undervaluing the property resulted in a very unsatisfactory adjustment.

After unsuccessfully representing themselves, the homeowner hired Associated to compile a complete physical inventory of all Personal Property. Once all of the items were properly inventoried, Associated interviewed the homeowner for the accurate prices of their belongings.

In dispute resolution, the client was awarded over three times the amount determined by Allstate.

Associated was also successful in obtaining the 12 percent penalty interest Allstate owed the policyholder.

Club Envy – Detroit, Michigan

This Downtown Detroit nightclub (formerly known as the Pontchartrain Wine Cellar) suffered a substantial water loss.

The owner of the nightclub hired an accountant to assist them in preparing a claim on their behalf, but after two months of inactivity from the insurance carrier, the club owner hired Associated to take over the entire matter.

Associated prepared a comprehensive Personal Property report and calculated the Business Interruption claim.

The end result was a settlement close to $200,000.00. Associated also was successful in getting the out-of-state insurance carrier to pay 12 percent interest on their late payment.

Barone’s Food Market – Saginaw, Michigan

This grocery store suffered a total loss fire.

In valuating the cost to repair the building, Fremont Insurance refused to consider any method other than Fair Market Value.

Associated advised the owner of the market that Appraisal was the best option to resolve this dispute.

Applying our alternate, more reasonable valuation approach tailored to the specific situation of this grocery store, the Umpire awarded two times the amount Fremont Insurance was willing to pay.