Insurance

[Oerets]

I've had the same agency (American Family) since sixteen and something needs to be said out being able to talk to someone who knows you by name . But I have witnessed others and their trouble dealing with who knows who about claims. My Sister's house burnt down with no apparent cause, and that was a real fiasco getting anything done!



Barney

[noonereal]

Coincidentally we had a house fire a few weeks ago.

Mom set fire to the kitchen. (83, Alzheimer's)

Luckily my daughter got me before flash point and I was able to knock it down with the extinguisher.

I have a thousand dollar deducible.

Since the claim is more than 3 thousand dollars they depreciate everything that was lost.

They will not pay anything on appliances older than 10 year.

They hold back 1 thousand dollars until all repairs are made.

So this will cost me about 5 grand even though I had replacement insurance.

They won't ever cover the cost of filling the fire extinguisher that I saved them a $100,000 loss with.

Not to mention that I ate 6 meals for 3 for less than $75 that they were liable for and slept in a house without power rather than run up a hotel bill for them.



The bottom line is I am out more cash than is the insurance company. Mind you this is the first claim ever in over 30 years.


Had I let the damned house burn, I would have had a new house for about the same price. but the insurance company would have taken a hit.

[HatchetJack]

I had a stove top fire about 4 years ago and State Farm did an awesome
job getting me patched up. They sent in a fire restoration company, cleaning
all the walls and ceilings. They hand washed every dish and glass in the
kitchen, repainted the ceiling and walls. Replaced the glass top stove
with a brand new one. Refinished two of the cabinet fronts, replaced all
the kitchen towels and bath towels we used in initial clean up. Total bill
was around 30,000 and it was nicer than before the fire. I have no complaints.
They treated me better than I expected.
New overstove microwave also.

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by HatchetJack

I had a stove top fire about 4 years ago and State Farm did an awesome
job getting me patched up. They sent in a fire restoration company, cleaning
all the walls and ceilings. They hand washed every dish and glass in the
kitchen, repainted the ceiling and walls. Replaced the glass top stove
with a brand new one. Refinished two of the cabinet fronts, replaced all
the kitchen towels and bath towels we used in initial clean up. Total bill
was around 30,000 and it was nicer than before the fire. I have no complaints.
They treated me better than I expected.
New overstove microwave also.

Well that certainly worked out well for you.

[piece-itpete]

I think it might depend on the claims person too. When I cut a tree down on my house a few years back, they were very appreciative of me immediately cutting off the branches and tarping the roof, even reinbursed me for my time.

A few years later I had ice dam damage and they were pissed I claimed a plastic snow shovel (I wasn't going to use a metal one on my roof).

Pete

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

And consider the value of your stereo and records! After discussion with the ins guy I added a rider, only a couple bucks a month. 'ItsDeductable' on Turbotax puts a low value on LPs at $4/ea, for tax writeoffs if you give them to goodwill!

Pete

I have databases of all our LPs, RTR tapes, Cassettes, DVDs and CDs and they go on the DVD in the safety deposit as well.