Cahokia man sues Allstate for unpaid fire claims

A Cahokia man is suing his insurance provider after the company refused to pay for fire damage to his home.

Virgil Atkins filed a lawsuit against The Allstate Corporation Oct. 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Atkins says he was in good standing on his homeowners' policy which when two separate fires broke out in his Edward Street home in September 2009. Atkins claims he made Allstate aware of the losses in a timely manner but was denied coverage by the insurance company.

Atkins says Allstate made an inadequate investigation of his house and its contents after the fire. Atkins also denies Allstate's claim that he "concealed and misrepresented material facts" related to the claim, which is the reason they gave for denying coverage.

Atkins is suing for breach of contract and for the damages from the original claim. He is asking for an amount in excess of $50,000 for damages, interest and attorney's fees.

Attorney Matthew J. Marlen, of Belleville, is representing Atkins.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 10-L-522