Car caught on fire in condo parking lot from neighbors car that set fire

by Rose
(Lombard, IL USA)

This past weekend our neighbors car set on fire from his engine. It completely burnt. Our car was parked right in front of it and the back half is completely melted, but also the inside is smoke damaged. We filed the police report right away.

We finance our car and still have 4 more years to pay on it and owe $19,000. I first tried calling my neighbors insurance company which is state farm.

The women I talked to said that because it was his car that set on fire and he has coverage to cover my car that they would get me a rental, and send someone out within 48 hours to look at the car and that if it was declared a loss that they would write us a check for the value of the car. The agent said she would call us back by a certain time but never did.

My husband called back and another agent said he took over the case but knew nothing about it. And said that they would not be responsible that my insurance would. But I had already told my insurance that state farm was saying they would handle it.

I knew this process was not going to be easy, but I don't know where to go next. I just want to get this taken care of and figured out.

I need a car and have two kids. Can insurance companies stall for weeks or months? Should my insurance be dealing with my neighbors directly? I've never dealt with any of this before. Thanks for your help.


Answer to car caught on fire in condo parking lot from neighbors car that set fire:

Hello,

Wow, you want your insurance company involved on this. The key question will be the negligence of your neighbor/vehicle owner. Why did the car catch on fire? Cigarette burn on the seats or mechanical break down?

This can have a big impact on coverage. It is a good idea to talk to an attorney about coverage here. A lot of policy interpretation will have to occur.

Good Luck

www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/