Posted: 2/29/2008 11:36:46 AM EDT
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You guys may remember this thread and how two trees totaled two of my vehicles, damaged another, and damaged my roof on my house. Personal SHTF Thread I'm sure you guys who have been through similar situations can identify with this but wanted to share some lessons learned in hopes to prepare you in case something similar comes your way. First lesson, had I not had $1,400 in cash day one, I would have had to use a chain saw to clear my drive and been isolated for over a week at least and that's missing work. Nothing would have happened in that week since the cars could not be moved. You can pretty much forget insurance fast. Their procedures alone create delays. Though I was under an umbrella policy, this still resulted in four separate claims each to be negotiated separately. They don't communicate with each other and you have to. This avoids multiple deductibles and can save you a lot of money. At first it was four to five calls a day just to insurance companies and adjusters. This was on top of coordinating contractors, getting repair estimates, and coordinating wreckers etc. This eats up an amazing amount of your time. In short, had I not had $10,000 in ready funds, I would still not be anywhere near a semblance of normal life. Its been over 20 days and I just got my first assistance financial wise from the insurance companies. On the vehicle that I had a lean, the settlement was very fast and the numbers a dead on match to NADA or Kelly Bluebook. A bank was involved. On the vehicles I owned outright, they got their numbers from Ethiopia and its been a battle of communications on the settlement price. This includes NADA, Kelly Bluebook, and providing replacement costs from local dealers and even then the settlement was a compromise not full asking price to replace the vehicle. This involved daily phone calls, faxes, letters, and emails. On the car that is being repaired, despite a big deal being made out of they can't tell you where it can be repaired that's exactly what they do. Not only where but how. Its a constant battle almost daily. They have used a term called "Enhanced value" which means the car is worth more after being repaired so you have to pay a part. This is especially true on a convertible that needs a new top. You have to watch them like a hawk as they try to bend stuff that shouldn't be bent etc. Be sure you have the adjuster to put in a may not have seen all damage in his write-up of it won't be covered if something is found in the shop. Some of the emails were pretty comical things like well here's a picture of the thing you said doesn't exist because I don't have a receipt. I should get this car back next week and still have to put out $750 despite not receiving a dime of aid except directly to repair shop. Officially as of today, everything is settled finally and checks are being cut. This is a no win for sure but the insurance assistance is offsetting the loss some. I just had to get real creative to offset the loss. I lose two cars and only replace one. They pay for half a roof and I use the money from the one lost vehicle to pay for other half. Things like that. When done, I figure I will be out $2,000, have a new vehicle but lose a paid for vehicle, I lose two years payments on a vehicle starting over, and have a new roof. Had I not bird dogged this thing, it would have been three times worse. Hope this helps someone someday. Tj |
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Your follow-up was much better than mine. Glad to hear things are progressing for you. I admit I would have been in much worse shape for financial preparation. My "tree hit the fan" event follow-up was simple, after trying and trying to get my darn chain saw to start there was only one answer: Should have bought a Stihl. I am hoping to fix that prep issue today (if the guy off Craigslist will just call me back). |
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Insurance companies are real quick to take your money, but are real slow to pay out. I know they get a lot of fraud, but come on, your claim was pretty simple. Broken trees, smashed cars, smashed roof. Seems pretty plain to me. We had renters insurance in North Dakota with Allstate. our car insurance was also through them and had been for about 20 years. We had never filed a claim with the auto policy but had the adacity to file a claim on the renters policy. Sure, they paid it, but we got a letter of cancellation right after the claim was paid. The reason? Wait for it........ We filed a claim! They got large sums of money from us for 20 odd years and had to pay one claim. Sorry to cost your company so much. I'm sure your stock holders will feel the impact of that one. |
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We had a bad hail storm here 3 years back. People learned real fast which companies were good and not so good. Personal (good) experience with State Farm, Geico and Progressive. Other people had problems with other companies. The largest hail was golf ball size. I don't want to see that no more. |
Insurance company was American National which in the past has been better than most. They have all my insurance except my motorcycles. I pay them about $4,000 a year and up until this year have been getting an annual $800 rebate due to no claims.  My Mustang GT and Jeep Grand Cherokee were both totaled. The Mustang was flattened so no hope. The Jeep though you can't see from my posted pictures, it took out the back door and that door cost alone took it over 70% of the total cost. There's a lot of sensors and controls in that door. The Mustang they gave me middle blue book no questions asked and boy did it retain its value very well. The Jeep they offered half of blue book and I settled for between low blue book and middle after supplying all kinds of information on what it costs to replace it. The home owners was the best as for being cooperative but it had a $1,000 deductible and a limit on tree removal to $500 an event. In short, more than one tree, you're screwed. Its still not over and been one hell of a hassle. I was doing things like daily calls at exactly when I knew the guy would be at his desk, documenting everything, and confirming all agreements in writing. Still though a pain in the butt, its no where near as bad as dealing with health insurance companies. The one thing that helped me the most was not hesitating to use my emergency money set back for such events. That's why we put it back. I couldn't imagine the poor folks that have to deal with this while still trying to clean up the mess. Tj |
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Those are HUGE trees. I had a crew come out just before winter to take out 3 dead elm trees that were leaning precariously over my garage. Now I have 3-4 cords of firewood.  I'm looking at all the other trees and trimming them or considering cutting them back further from the house... Nothing ruins your day more than a couple tons of solid wood. I guess this just goes to show we can't be so well prepared that bad things don't happen to us despite all the precautions in the world. I've been healthy for a year - but keep thinking of the irony of having all the preps necessary to ride out a nuclear war or a Russian invasion, but then die of the flu. Or like my step-uncle, die of a massive heart attack. |
| We've had excelent service from progressive and state farm. I totaled a car in college during a flood. State farm looked at the car, sayed it was totaled and cut a check that week for more than I would have asked if I were trying to sell it befor the wreck. The wife has wrecked both of the cars she's had since we'ev been married. Both times progressive sent out a accessor and promptly cut a check to the repair shop, and her rates haven't gone up... Not that they wont screw me in the future, but a good company is worth the bucks. |
Well I've used this company twice in 15 years both times hassle free. I think the problem was when it became four claims at once and big bucks all at once. It was like suddenly being diagnosed with cancer after a lifetime on a health insurance policy that has paid no hassles for routine stuff. Tj |
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TJ, I'm an insurance adjuster for a large company that I'm sure you've heard of. Claims can really suck, but most adjusters and insurance companies are pretty honest these days. I used to handle total loss vehicle claims and they can be fairly time consuming, as can home owner claims (what I handle now). Generally, I look at a claim within 72 hours of being reported, and if the loss is under $15,000, I issue payment on the spot. As far as your home owner’s coverage, I strongly recommend a replacement cost endorsement. Check with your agent, but it's normally a cheap option to add to a policy and it can really pay off if you have a claim. Otherwise the depreciation/betterment you mention can be a killer. I gather from other professionals that State Farm and Erie have good reputations. My company has a good reputation as well, but I'm hesitant to post that info on the interwebs. Edit to add: We also have a $500 limit for tree removal, with an exception that you should research. If the tree falls on your dwelling and it needs to be removed to gain access to repair the damaged dwelling, we will pay whatever it takes to remove the tree. Example, a Redwood tree falls on your house and into your living room. If ABC Tree Removal says, "That will be $18,000", we pay it because we can't repair your home until that tree is out of your living room. Many policies are worded in a manner to fit the above scenario. If a tree falls in your yard and doesn't prevent repairs being made to the dwelling, you get $500.00 even if it costs $18,000 to remove the tree from your premises. |
For once I had a great experence with an insurance company. My house burned this last summer, totaled. The fronted me $5K on day three to get started tearing it down and rebuilding and had the total payout in my hand in 10 days total! Now the bank on the other hand was a total PITA. My personell property loss took almost three months from the same adjuster! I just don't get these people...State Farm BTW. |
Thanks Matt. The homeowners followed their policy to the letter and I can't complain about that. It was right there in writing. They were slow getting here but then TN had it really bad that week so they were very busy. The adjuster was good and did what he could for me within the policy limits. He could have insisted we only replace the missing tiles but instead opted for half a roof which helps to offset the cost impact on me. Its my decision to go ahead and do the entire roof. I'd have to in a a few years anyway. The car adjuster though was new to the area and trying to make a rep. He'd only been here four months. I knew I was in trouble there and still fighting his lame ideas on saving money. Its kind of funny. He picked a subcontractor to fix the convertible roof taking a short cut of bending the bars rather than replacing them, a safety issue. He had no idea I have known the man for years. He actually is one of the best rag top guys in the SE and had done a number of my show cars. I promptly called him and have confidence he will do me right and not shortcut safety. The way this worked is I got the approved body shop list from the insurance company. I knew it would be less hassle that way. I got estimates from the shops, picked the lessor bid based on shop reputation, and then began working directly with them. Where the adjuster tried to pull a fast one is having the body shop subcontract the top without my input. Honestly the money this guy is saving they will probably lose in cutting multiple checks. I don't think he even considered that expense and of course has no idea the guy he picked purely on bid is actually a great rag top guy. Tj |