Illinois couple sues second insurance firm to pay for alleged storm damage

A Belleville couple claiming their home was damaged by hail is suing their insurance company to recover the compensation they say they're owed.

According to a lawsuit filed on April 28 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Patrick B. Mathis and Rosanne Mathis are suing Robert Friederich and Bob Friederich Insurance Agency Inc.

The couple filed a similar lawsuit on Dec. 20 against Illinois Farmer Insurance Co., seeking $143,000 for the alleged storm damage from the same 2012 storm. It is unknown if the properties in both lawsuits are the same.

In this lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim they contacted the insurer in 2003 to secure home insurance. According to the complaint, the couple chose replacement coverage, which an agent told them would reimburse the full cost of replacing any loss, versus insuring at fair-market value, which they were told would insure the depreciated value of the loss.

They paid their premiums until 2012. Then, on April 28, 2012, a storm struck the home and surrounding area, causing severe hail damage to the home and, particularly, its slate roof.

However, the defendant has refused to pay the claim filed by the plaintiffs, stating that the damage resulted from wear and tear, the suit states.

The plaintiffs accuse the defendant of violating consumer fraud and business practices laws, as well as breach of statutory duty and fraud.

The plaintiffs claim the estimate to repair the roof is $142,000. They seek $200,000 in damages, plus costs.

They are represented by Laura E. Schrick of Mathis, Marifian and Richter Ltd., Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-253