Cincinnati Insurance Companies Cincinnati, OH

Carpet replacement costs cause Cincinnati insurance dispute

COMPLAINT: Debbie Eide, Lawrenceburg, Ohio

"I had about an inch and a half of standing water in my basement, and Clark-Theders Insurance Agency Inc. sent out a carpet company to check it out.

"Their estimate was more than $6,500. Clark-Theders was willing to pay $5,000, but anything beyond that I have to pay out of my pocket."

DESIRED RESOLUTION: "The carpet company needs to come down in price. Then I want the insurance company to write one check to them and one to me."

RESPONSE: Theresa Clayton, operations/HR manager, Clark-Theders Insurance Agency Inc.

"When the carpet company went to the member's home, they signed a "Direct to Pay" agreement that their claim settlement check had to be made payable to the insured and the carpet company.

"The policy limit for this type of coverage is $5,000, which is what the insurance company paid. There is no deductible, because the insured had a specified amount of water coverage.

"The payment of the claim is being handled by the adjuster since the amount is above the agency's draft authority.

"The adjuster said that if the insured can negotiate with the carpet company to lower their price, she will re-issue two separate checks — one to the carpet company and one to the insured.

STATUS: Stalemate