Who do I need to talk to about getting reimbursement for my damaged items after my room flooded?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 01:19:12 -0500

Who do I go to for reimbursement of damaged items while living in the barracks. I have my 4986 and my items have been verified by my platoon sgt.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2021 2:10 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 02:10:16 -0500

Renters insurance. The Army isn't your insurance agency and isn't going to reimburse you

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 9 at 2021 7:03 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 07:03:00 -0500

That's why you're supposed to have renters insurance.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Dec 9 at 2021 8:09 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 08:09:32 -0500

First of all the XO will handle the replacement of your military items and anything covered by the military. The US Army does cover on their insurance for damages of items owned by soldiers while living in the barracks. He can go to JAG for specifics but if you are required to live in 'the barracks', its the Army's tab - not yours as long as you were not at fault. If he or anyone else doesn't take care of this issues then you go to JAG. Ask about what your congressman would say if you bought it to his attention.
Renters Insurance for a soldier in the Barracks? That's an odd answer.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 9 at 2021 9:11 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 09:11:27 -0500

I would start with your Plt Sgt, 1st Sgt and S1. That's who I would address it with. Those are the folks who handled that stuff when I was in. Certain Duty stations I had required SM's to maintain a running inventory to expedite things like this. While on Embassy Duty it was a requirement to have a hard and soft copy of your personal effects inventory in case something happened and you would need to be reimbursed and have items replaced.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Dec 9 at 2021 1:06 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 13:06:17 -0500

So, yes, renter's insurance is the best answer. In any of the below scenarios, renter's insurance SHOULD cover you, and then THEY can file a claim against a responsible party (if any).

However....

If the room was flooded due to a fault in the barracks (for instance a pipe burst) then the claims office (same office you go to when mover's break your stuff during a household goods shipment) SHOULD be able to provide some relief. You would, at that point, essentially be filing a claim against the government for the damage caused by their faulty structure / faulty maintenance.

If, however, the flood was due to an idiot roommate or neighbor, your claim would be against them, and you would be asking them to make you whole, either person to person or through small claims court

If the flooding was cause by an act of God (i.e. actual flooding due to heavy rains) you have only renter's insurance to fall back on. And that may or may not be helpful, depending on the terms of the policy.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Dec 9 at 2021 11:23 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 23:23:06 -0500

What caused the flood?
This makes a huge difference

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Dec 9 at 2021 11:42 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 23:42:30 -0500

It is possible that the Government will reimburse loss of personal property when the barracks is flooded.
I know this for a fact. In 1998 Camp Casey Korea flooded and I lost almost everything that I owned. The Government covered the loss of personal property claimed by every member of the 2d Infantry Division that filed a claim. The applicable regulation is AR 27-20, Start with Chapter 11 paragraph 11-5.
Once the incident has been determined to be covered by the Unit at whatever level, the unit chain of command verifies the claim form and it is submitted to the SJA Claims for approval. Once it clears SJA it is sent to Army Finance and the claim is paid. We lost approximately 20% for depreciation and all of our OCIE and PCIE was replaced by the Army. If the unit gave out claim forms, follow the instructions of your unit. Claim EVERYTHING that you will have to replace. They paid me to replace my family Kilt and my suits. All they can do is say no. Your unit is the first stop as the commander has to sign off on it.