Glen Carbon property owner sues State Farm over fire loss

A man has filed suit against his insurance company after he claims it refuses to pay him for damages caused to his home during a fire.

Richard Ramirez claims his home at 2233 Wild Wood Drive in Glen Carbon was destroyed by a fire on May 16. At the time of the fire, Ramirez had an insurance policy through defendant State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, according to the complaint filed Jan. 27 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Ramirez requested a reimbursement for the more than $400,000 worth of damages caused to his home, but State Farm has allegedly refused to pay him, the suit states.

Because of its unreasonable delay, State Farm owes Ramirez an extra 60 percent of his loss, the complaint says.

In his complaint, Ramirez is seeking a judgment of $640,000, plus attorney's fees and costs.

Robert J. Sprague of Sprague and Urban in Belleville will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-54.