I had a fire on my rental apartment kitchen, which cause damage to the microwave and the stove it also need painting or cleaning. I don’t have rental insurance and I believe the building damage should be the building insurance responsibility. My Landlord giving me fag information about the damage cost and they first said I have to pay the deduct able which is $5000 and when I asked them for that insurance policy their attorney refused to give me the information?

The attorney is a jerk. First get an estimate on just what this whole shebang is going to cost to get back to normal. If the damage is pricey demand to see the insurance company deductible info before proceeding further. Also, why won't they do the restoration? Was it your fault for the fire or was it an accident or were you away from the premises at the time?

First, Thanks for your respond. I consider it an accident and am not sure if I would be blamed for the fire I was just standing on the front of my stove in my lunch hour having a pan in the stove and I saw the flame of fire myself reaching the microwave but I couldn't stop it since the unit is not occupied with any safety equipment. The management office saying it is my mistake and I should pay the deduct able which is they calming to be $5000 and they saying its also my mistake to not having a rental insurance which I know rental insurance covers only my personal stuff. Also, getting an attorney going to cost me tons of money!

So, you were cooking when the fire happened? Is this correct?

Correct!

Then, unfortunately, the owner's insurance company will say that it is your fault. Without renter's insurance you are virtually stuck and you will have to take on the costs of repairs involved.

Since you were cooking, it is your fault... Thus your responsibility.

Don't mind paying for the damage but not $5000 as I have estimate about $1600. Can they force me to go with their estimate?

They don't have an estimate... they have a deductible. You got the estimate. I am sure you could probably do the painting yourself and save a few $. I'm assuming it was their stove also. It seems some days you can't win for losing. Oh yes, renters insurance covers your belongings, not their property.

If memory serves me right from my old days as a paralegal in insurance fraud, (and this varies by state), you may be able to request 3 estimates.

From what you said above though, their deductible is $5,000, this is not considered an estimate, but the insurance deductible.

Basically this means, for them to file it on insurance $5,000 would have to be paid out of pocket for the repairs to be made, if the repairs are over $5,000.

Now, if you can make repairs yourself, they would need to be inspected and approved by the codes inspector, this can be costly itself.

Unfortunately, this is a very expensive lesson in why it is so important to have renter's insurance.

They really confusing me, they don't have an estimate and they didn't claim the issue to their insurance. Do I have to pay the $5000 without even know. And why I can't just do the painting myself and buy them same stove & microwave models?

This is something you have to take up with the management of your property. Most likely they want to claim it on their insurance in case there are any future problems.

And, for anyone else who ever has a kitchen fire like this... fires need air. Baking powder can smother a fire. So will putting on a tight-fitting lid. However, only do this when the fire is first starting and very small. And do not spend time looking for either of these items if you can't find them quickly! You do not want to be caught in a burning building. And finally... never use water on a grease fire. Water and grease don't mix, and adding water can cause the burning oil to spatter and spread the fire.

This public service announcement brought to you by the letter E and the number 8. :)

Today they send me a letter with an estimate $4400 including items never been damaged and also some of my furniture and contents! And a letter from their lawyer asking me to pay in 10 days or they will take a legal action, can they do that?

No, they cannot. They cannot sue you for an estimate. IF they make the repairs and you don't pay, THEN they can sue you. You need to see a copy of their estimate and compare it to the one you got, then get one or two more for comparison.

Yeah, I will do that. They really frighten me :(

Typically, the way the insurance companies work, is that they will pay for the repairs necessary, minus the deduction. Then they will file a subrogation suit against you to reclaim the money spent by the insurance company.

So, they cannot sue you yet. But can if they have to spend the money for repairs.

They actually didn't report to the insurance company and refusing to give me and policy information!
Their attorney claiming the money and want me to pay at once within 10 days?

They do not have to give you any policy info. The policy is their's and they would be responsible for filing a claim.