Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Florida

Renters Insurance

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have two renters insurance question. My son and his roommate are college students in Orlando. They started a very bad fire on the patio of their apartment by not extinguishing two cigars they were smoking: displaced tenants, no injuries, building is severely damaged.

The parents (my wife and me and my son�s roommates parents) signed guarantees of payment. Both boys are eighteen and older. My renter�s insurance company is also my homeowner�s insurance company. We ordered the renters insurance through our existing homeowners insurance policy.

My policy reads that there is $100M in liability insurance, against accidental loss to residence premises. An adjuster called from the insurance company regarding the claim and stated that liability would be passed on to the homeowner�s policy. I believe he was trying to pass the buck off to another company, but the renter�s insurance policy appears to be clear-cut regarding the liability coverage.

My first question is whether it is possible the adjuster was indeed trying to pass the buck to another company. He appeared quite surprised to learn that the homeowner�s coverage was with his same company.

The second question is


Asked on 12/22/08, 10:50 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Justin Schmidt Law Office of Justin B. Schmidt, P.A.

Re: Renters Insurance

The question is impossible to answer without a careful review of both insurance policies, their covererages and exclusions.

It is probably worth it in your matter to retain counsel to review the policies and advise you of your rights. If you have a good relationship with your insurance agent, they might be able to help you answer simpler questions.

The other option is to wait and see what action is taken by the insurance companies. Then, if you are not happy with the outcome, you can retain counsel at that time.

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Answered on 12/25/08, 12:10 am


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