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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Granite City homeowners say insurer failed to pay $132K hail damage claim

Antognoli

Two Granite City residents have filed suit against their insurance company, alleging it refuses to pay them adequate costs for damages caused to their home during a hail storm.

Charles and Kim King filed a lawsuit Sept. 13 in Madison County Circuit Court against Country Mutual Insurance Company.

In their complaint, the Kings allege their property at 1306 27th St. in Granite City was damaged by hail on April 19, 2011.

Following the storm, the Kings requested that Country Mutual Insurance Company pay for their damages. In turn, the insurance company sent the Kings a check for $3,594.90, which was significantly less than the amount of damages the Kings claim they incurred.

"Plaintiffs submitted to defendant a sworn statement in proof of loss for the damages to the insured premises, in the amount of $132,049.08, for the full cost of repairs," the suit states.

Still, Country Mutual refused to pay the Kings more money than it had already given them, even though an appraiser has set the amount of damages at $130,861.58, the complaint says.

"Defendant's failure to pay plaintiffs' award pursuant to the policy has been vexatious and unreasonable and warrants imposition of additional taxable costs pursuant to Section 155 of the Illinois Insurance Code in that defendant lacks any good faith basis to withhold payment," the suit states.

In addition to the money they say Country Mutual owes them, the Kings are seeking attorneys' fees and other relief the court deems just.

David L. Antognoli and Teri L. Havron of Goldenberg, Heller, Antognoli and Rowland in Edwardsville will be representing them.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-1474.

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