Godfrey couple sues insurance company after house fire

A husband and wife have filed suit against their insurance company, alleging it refused to pay them after the home they were renting caught fire.

Terry and Carrie Mohr allege they were living with their young children at 330 St. Anthony Drive in Godfrey on Nov. 2, 2013, when their dwelling caught fire.

“[The] fire caused plaintiffs to have to vacate their rented dwelling, fleeing the fire barefoot and without warm clothes, thus incurring additional living expenses to provide clothing and a roof over the family’s heads,” states the suit filed Jan. 12 in Madison County Circuit Court against State Farm Fire and Casualty Company.

At the time, the Mohrs owned a renters’ insurance policy with defendant State Farm Fire and Casualty, the suit says. The policy was supposed to provide coverage for loss, damage and destruction to personal property and to pay for additional living expenses for up to 24 months, the complaint says.

However, State Farm only provided enough money for two months worth of living expenses, and the company refused to pay for the property damaged by the fire, according to the complaint.

Although the Mohrs have demanded the company pay them, it refuses to do so, the suit states. In their complaint, the Mohrs seek a judgment of more than $15,000, plus 5 percent pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest at the maximum rate allowed by law and costs.

Attorney William S. Daniel, of Daniel Law Offices in Edwardsville, will represent the plaintiffs.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 15-L-40.