BELLEVILLE – A Belleville homeowner is suing State Farm, alleging it has refused to acknowledge damage to her home.
Jackie Treesh filed the suit Feb. 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, alleging breach of contract, violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, fraud, negligence, unjust enrichment, conversion and insurer misconduct.
Treesh owns a house at 7522 Claymount Court, Belleville, and in 2000, the plaintiff contracted with State Farm for homeowners insurance that included mine subsidence coverage for which she paid an additional premium, the suit says.
According to the complaint, in October 2003, when the policy was still in effect, Treesh placed a claim for damage due to the collapse of an underground mine. The suit says State Farm reported the damages were not due to any mine and continued to collect the additional premium until 2015.
The lawsuit further alleges the defendant wrongly accepted those premiums with the knowledge that the plaintiff no longer needed to pay in order to be covered for the mine damage.
As a result, the plaintiff has suffered loss by continuing to pay additional and increased premiums over an approximately 15-year time period. She also has incurred economic damages, including repair costs, diminution in the value of the dwelling, and incidental and consequential damages.
Treesh seeks damages plus interest, including punitive damages, attorney fees and other relief the court deems just and proper. She is represented by attorney Alvin C. Paulson of Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-71