McLeansboro property owner sues insurer over fire loss in Madison County

A man claims he suffered nearly $200,000 worth of damages to his home after a fire destroyed it.

Rodney D. Wheeler filed a lawsuit May 9 in Madison County Circuit Court against Country Mutual Insurance Company.

In his complaint, Wheeler alleges Country Mutual refused to pay for the $177,086 worth of damages caused to his home at RR#4 in McLeansboro after a fire destroyed it on June 6, 2008. However, the insurance company did pay the remainder due on his mortgage note, according to the complaint.

Wheeler claims he was repeatedly told that the insurance company would eventually pay the remainder of the money, but he has not seen the compensation, the suit states.

"Plaintiff on numerous occasions pressed Country Mutual Company employee Ted Broyles for the status of the Defendant's payment for the loss of the house and contents," the complaint says. "Ted Broyles fraudulently represented to the Plaintiff that the claim would be paid and never told plaintiff that a time limit existed after which no claim could be brought by plaintiff to enforce the terms of the contract."

In addition to the money he says Country Mutual owes him, Wheeler seeks costs.

John L. Bitzer of Bitzer Law Firm in Collinsville will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-633.