Kentucky has taken quite a beating in 2023 so far. We recently wrote about the severe damage that the windstorms have caused in Kentucky, the state of emergency, and the ongoing repair efforts.
Today, we’re hitting close to home, because one of our attorneys was recently impacted by the windstorms.
Meet Julie Scott Jernigan, a property insurance attorney who recently joined Boggs Law Group. Julie is a 6th generation farmer on her 134-acre farm in Williamstown, Kentucky, and she raises organic beef, a single dairy cow, and chickens.
She described the damage to the farm and her struggle with the insurance company.
Damage to the farm
Julie explained how her barn was badly damaged. “The barn shifted on its foundation, the support beams are badly damaged, and it just isn’t safe. The hayloft has collapsed into the lower stalls, which also means that I can’t get to the hay the cows need to eat. We did get all of my Christmas decorations and all of my bee-keeping supplies out of one corner. But a fallen beam destroyed the 4-wheeler entirely, so we didn’t dig around much.
The barn provided shelter for my dairy cow, Leia, and for 30 chickens, some of whom were still dependent on a heat lamp for warmth.”
Julie’s barn also stored equipment that’s essential after a storm, especially when dealing with power outages and fencing that has been damaged by fallen trees. “We also stored a 4-wheeler, the generator, a battery jump starter, and an air compressor in the barn. The tractor tires were damaged by flying debris, and without the compressor, I can’t even move it.”
Spiraling cost
The cost of the clean-up is really stacking up for Julie. “I’m out about $1000 for immediate debris clean up – metal literally flew about ½ mile and took out a neighbor’s fence and some even landed in the pond. Cleaning all of that up and doing quick repairs required help and lots of it. Moving the livestock and getting everyone emergency shelter and food hasn’t been easy either.”
Julie has secured some rebuilding estimates from contractors, glad to have the figures in hand before she anticipates the adjuster will try to lowball her.
The contractor’s estimates are as follows:
Cost for the barn: $70,000
Replacement of contents $10- 15,000
Debris removal $11,000
TOTAL $ 91,000 – 96,000
However, the emotional cost is much higher for Julie. “Watching the barn you grew up playing in, that your grandmother, mom, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends all played in, that your great grandfather and his brother built by hand, hit the ground on your watch? Devastating. Some things can’t be replaced and seeing a big part of your family history bite the dust doesn’t get easier just because the new barn will eventually be bright and shiny.”
Insurance battle
Julie’s biggest battle is dealing with the insurance company. “The biggest problem I’m having is getting the insurance company (State Farm) to actually engage. My first meeting with the adjuster is next week. In fairness, my agent called me the morning after; she’s a good friend. Three weeks to have someone even come look when you’re dealing with a dangerously unstable structure that you rely on daily is utterly ridiculous.”
Know your rights
At Boggs Law Group, we applaud Julie for battling the insurance company for what she deserves, and for knowing her rights. Julie told us, “I’m lucky enough to know my rights as a policyholder and to have a very good agent in my corner. Way too many people aren’t as blessed.”
Julie knows that in order to rebuild, a successful home insurance claim is essential. If you’re in a similar situation, the team at Boggs Law Group will fight for you. We understand what it takes to successfully claim after a windstorm or extreme weather event. When you’re ready, let’s talk.