churchgoer
New Member
Hello. I found this forum while Googling for some help, and it seems like a good place to ask my question.
I live in a rented duplex in a residential area of Tampa, FL. A section of the front yard, off the street though, is designated as the parking area. Well, I went out of town this past weekend, and when I came back last night, I noticed that a GIGANTIC chunk of the oak tree overhead had broken off and landed on my car that was parked there while I was gone. It obviously did damage to my car.
So I called my landlord last night and left a voicemail message. This morning on my way to work, I decided to call her again, since she hadn't called back yet, and she answered. When I explained the story to her, she essentially dismissed me saying, "That tree is in the next door neighbor's yard, so it's not my problem. Why don't you call your auto insurance and file a claim."
??!!!!
I admit I don't know THAT much about insurance policies and homeowner's insurance (that's why I rent!!!) but I'm not a complete idiot. Isn't there something called "Liability" that goes along with homeowner's insurance? Am I *really* going to be expected to use my auto insurance, causing my premiums to go up, for something that had nothing at all to do with me or any negligence on my part?
I don't think I should have to do all the investigative work that would be required to find out who even owns the property next door, much less have to call them and report this. It seems to me that this should be my landlord's responsibility. All I know is that my fuse is burning shorter and shorter with each passing hour, and I don't want to have to call a lawyer.
So right now I feel very hopeless, and I need some advice. Can someone, anyone, tell me what I should do here? Thank you.
I live in a rented duplex in a residential area of Tampa, FL. A section of the front yard, off the street though, is designated as the parking area. Well, I went out of town this past weekend, and when I came back last night, I noticed that a GIGANTIC chunk of the oak tree overhead had broken off and landed on my car that was parked there while I was gone. It obviously did damage to my car.
So I called my landlord last night and left a voicemail message. This morning on my way to work, I decided to call her again, since she hadn't called back yet, and she answered. When I explained the story to her, she essentially dismissed me saying, "That tree is in the next door neighbor's yard, so it's not my problem. Why don't you call your auto insurance and file a claim."
??!!!!
I admit I don't know THAT much about insurance policies and homeowner's insurance (that's why I rent!!!) but I'm not a complete idiot. Isn't there something called "Liability" that goes along with homeowner's insurance? Am I *really* going to be expected to use my auto insurance, causing my premiums to go up, for something that had nothing at all to do with me or any negligence on my part?
I don't think I should have to do all the investigative work that would be required to find out who even owns the property next door, much less have to call them and report this. It seems to me that this should be my landlord's responsibility. All I know is that my fuse is burning shorter and shorter with each passing hour, and I don't want to have to call a lawyer.
So right now I feel very hopeless, and I need some advice. Can someone, anyone, tell me what I should do here? Thank you.