Apr 20, 2026
Camie Hubbard and her family have lived in the same home on Craftmont Avenue in Pittsburgh for more than 20 years. But when a recent storm caused damage to their home, Hubbard told CBS (1) that their insurance company didn't hold up its end of the bargain.
In January, an ice storm caused water to leak through Hubbard's ceiling and walls. Their insurer, State Farm, sent a mitigation crew to the home to assess the damage and make repairs. But instead of fixing things, Hubbard says the contractor made things worse — tearing out three rooms without testing for lead, causing cracks in the walls and leaving her home covered in soot.
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"We're like, 'What is going on?' My floor is black. My carpet's black," Hubbard told CBS Pittsburgh.
Soon after, the family started getting sick. Hubbard and her husband resorted to sleeping on a blow-up mattress in their dining room to distance themselves from the exposed upper floors. That's when Hubbard called a public adjuster. Stephen Hnat, president of Stephen Hnat and Associates of Public Adjusters, said the first thing he did was a lead test. It came back positive.
"Proper protocol is that any house built before 1977 should have a lead test done before any kind of demo," Hnat said.
While the contractor claimed to have performed lead tests, they proceeded with the demolition regardless.
Where things stand now
The problems didn't stop with the lead contamination. State Farm initially agreed to pay for a new roof, but then reversed course weeks later, claiming "no roof damage or actual shingle damage" was found. But Hubbard says the roofing companies don't agree.
"I had three different estimates for three different roofing companies come and do that for the roof. All said the same thing. It was all ice dams and the cracking with the expansion, with the ice going underneath it," Hubbard said.
Hnat also requested State Farm to cover additional living expenses (ALE) — a standard part of most homeowners' policies that can cover food and shelter while a home is being repaired. State Farm denied that request, too, according to emails viewed by CBS Pittsburgh.
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The family has since moved out of the home on their own, paying out of pocket for an Airbnb while waiting for medical tests and X-rays to determine how the lead exposure might have impacted their health. Hubbard says she just wants State Farm to do the right thing.
"I want our policy to be withheld through State Farm. We want accountability. We have additional living expenses in our policy. That's what you pay for. We want that to happen," Hubbard said.
When CBS Pittsburgh contacted State Farm, a spokesperson stated they were working with the family, adding, "Our focus is on helping them understand the claims process and paying them all benefits their policy offers. Questions about the repair work itself are best addressed by their contractor."
However, the Hubbards say they haven't heard from State Farm since March.
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Facing a similar situation? Here's what to do
Disputes with insurers might be more common than you think. If you find yourself in a similar situation, here's how to protect yourself and your family:
Hire a public adjuster
Unlike the adjusters your insurer sends, public adjusters work for you. They can document damage, challenge lowball estimates and negotiate on your behalf. They typically work on commission, often 10 to 20% (2) of your final settlement, so it's in their best interests to get you a better settlement.
Know your policy
ALE coverage, which pays for temporary housing when your home becomes uninhabitable, is standard in most homeowner policies. Read your policy carefully, and if your insurer denies a claim, ask for the specific policy language they're relying on to justify it.
Request everything in writing
Verbal agreements don't mean much. Ask your insurer and any contractors to document all decisions, timelines and test results in writing. If a contractor claims to have run a lead or asbestos test before demolition, ask for the results before they begin working.
File a complaint
If you believe your insurer is acting in bad faith, wrongly denying valid claims, stalling or misrepresenting your coverage, file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner. In Pennsylvania, that's the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (3). Most states have similar departments that may be able to help you reach a resolution.
Document everything
Save everything: photos, texts, emails, voicemails and contracts. The Hubbards were able to show CBS Pittsburgh a text message from the contractor confirming they ordered a lead test. That kind of paper trail can be decisive if a dispute escalates.
Insurance is supposed to serve as a safety net when things go wrong. But if you believe your insurance company isn't acting in good faith, knowing how to push back can make all the difference.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.
CBS News (1); Sill (2); Pennsylvania Insurance Department (3)
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
