So your insurance company wants you to submit to an “Examination Under Oath”, or “EUO”? What is an EUO? Basically, an EUO is a question-and-answer session under oath between you and the insurance company’s attorney. Your answers are recorded by a court reporter.  Unfortunately, insurance companies are notorious for using the EUO as a basis for denying claims.

There are several things you must know before your EUO takes place. Under most circumstances, you have to submit to an EUO. Generally speaking, most homeowners policies have a provision requiring the insured to provide an EUO if requested by the insurance company. If you do not provide one, the insurance company has a possible basis to deny your claim.

The insurance company should set the EUO at a reasonable time and place. The actual request for an EUO should include the scope of the topics that the insurance company would like to ask you about. It is important to remember that you have an absolute right to be represented by an attorney at your EUO. And once you have completed your EUO, in most cases you have a right to review the transcript of your EUO to make sure that the transcript is truthful and accurate.

Finally, and most importantly, you must remember that the insurance company may only be asking for your EUO as a pretext to deny your claim. Generally, the request for an EUO is an indication that the insurance company hasn’t taken your word and suspects something out of the ordinary.  Stated differently, what you say in your EUO has a profound effect on the outcome of your claim. Talk with a lawyer.

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I get a lot of questions about what is covered as additional living expenses or “ALE.”  ALE covers most things that you have to pay for because your home is unlivable.
MILEAGE: If you are out of your home and having to travel an 30 additional miles to/from work, the vast majority of homeowners insurance policy’s ALE will cover these additional expenses. So keep track of those miles and submit them to your carrier. They generally reiumburse at the current published IRS reimbursement rate.
DRY CLEANING/LAUNDRY: If your alternative living conditions don’t have a washer and dryer and you have to get clothing dry cleaned, ALE should cover those costs.
EXTRA CHILD CARE: ALE should also cover alternative child care. For example, if you regularly care for your children in your home, but your home is uninhabitable, especially for kids, then ALE should cover the cost of day care. Also, if your temporary living situation is too far from your regular child care and you have to find a second caregiver, then ALE covers you.
UTILITIES:  If you are staying in a house or apartment where you must pay for all or a portion of the utilities, then those costs should be reimbursed under your ALE coverage. These expenses should be covered even if you are still paying the utility bills for your home.
These are just some of the examples of additional expenses that homeowners incur when they are forced out of heir homes. Make sure to review all of the extra costs you have to see if they should be reimbursed. Insurance companies should tell you this, but they don’t.
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We are currently helping thousands of hurricane victims with their property damage claims problems. And if you are having problems we can help you too. You may be due many thousands more than your insurance company is offering because your damages have been unfairly estimated. We can help you get all the money you deserve.

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