Once again I beg you - Check your homeowners policy

[Capt. Jim]

I am sorry to hear of your Allstate fiasco. I too, have had problems with Allstate in the past. They suck. They are no longer my insurance company, by my choice.

You may want to file a complaint with the state insurance commision. I did for my hurricane Frances and Jeanne claims and they finally paid up.

Still waiting for the last $17,000 from my hurricane Wilma claim, which was last october.

Good luck.

 

[Jman]

I am sorry to hear of your Allstate fiasco. I too, have had problems with Allstate in the past. They suck. They are no longer my insurance company, by my choice.

You may want to file a complaint with the state insurance commision. I did for my hurricane Frances and Jeanne claims and they finally paid up.

Still waiting for the last $17,000 from my hurricane Wilma claim, which was last october.

Good luck.

Not to belittle your losses, and I think you are entitled to the $$$, but geez, to a northerner, you sound like the hurricane version of a welfare mom. How much have you paid in premiums over the past decade versus how much you've received in claims? How high are the rates in WPB? Is the risk pooled nationally?

Just curious, I don't know anyone who has three home insurance claims, but I live in a pretty low-risk region.

 

[TJDIV]

My ins. premium for the year was $5265.00, prepaid.


Pretty sure we pay to live where we live.

 

[Jman]

My ins. premium for the year was $5265.00, prepaid.


Pretty sure we pay to live where we live.

Okay, that's a multiple of my yearly home premiums, and mine includes a flood insurance policy.*




* Which just went up 50%. . . . .

 

[Biff]

My ins. premium for the year was $5265.00, prepaid.


Pretty sure we pay to live where we live.

I don't get even close to that. My current yearly premium is $1500 which includes earthquake insurance.

 

[Doc]

I don't get even close to that. My current yearly premium is $1500 which includes earthquake insurance.

And mine is about $600/yr.

Location, location, location.

Nothing happens in the midwest except for the odd tornado every now and then. I don't live near a trailer park, so I should be OK.

 

[fsusteve]

My ins. premium for the year was $5265.00, prepaid.


Pretty sure we pay to live where we live.

Hurricane alley baby....


I'm around $2600 annually for both houses, but I'm looking to go to a different agent anyways.

 

[LongIsland60]

If you have a mortgage, you Have to have insurance. Drop it and see how quickly the bank calls....

Mtg companies require it, yes. I understand that - however - the poster of the comment "need insurance" never qualified it with anything... So, my response- you don't NEED insurance.


EDIT
As far as I know auto insurance is required in all states to drive legally... but you don't NEED a car - thus no need for insurance.

 

[Capt. Jim]

Not to belittle your losses, and I think you are entitled to the $$$, but geez, to a northerner, you sound like the hurricane version of a welfare mom. How much have you paid in premiums over the past decade versus how much you've received in claims? How high are the rates in WPB? Is the risk pooled nationally?

Just curious, I don't know anyone who has three home insurance claims, but I live in a pretty low-risk region.

I have paid home owners insurance premiums here in florida since 1972. Never had any claim of any kind unitil the 2004 storms. That's 34 years of premiums with no claims. My premium today is approximately $4300/yr. My 3 claims did not include 3 deductables of $3900 each, which totalled almost $12,000, and there were thousands of dollars of damage that were not covered by my insurance.

No welfare mom here, nor do I suspect the rest of the affected areas. All the monies paid on my claims as well as tens of thousands out of my own pocket, went to pay for restoration of my property. In addition, the state legislature will soon be imposing an additional premium on all policy holders, no matter who their carrier is, to help pay-off about a billion dollars of debt incurred by the state-sponsored insurance pool.

BTW my claims for all 3 storms have eclipsed $135,000. However, my losses were far in excess of that figure. I also still have damage that has not yet been repaired. I also still owe almost $8,000 to my roofing contractor, who fortunately has agreed to wait until I get my insuranse money.

I believe the welfare moms are those that have gotten monies from FEMA, which incidentally paid me nothing.

Not complaining, mind you, just trying to get the services I paid for.

I never got a refund or rebate from the insurance company because of no storm activity and no claims.

 

[Jman]

I have paid home owners insurance premiums here in florida since 1972. Never had any claim of any kind unitil the 2004 storms. That's 34 years of premiums with no claims. My premium today is approximately $4300/yr. My 3 claims did not include 3 deductables of $3900 each, which totalled almost $12,000, and there were thousands of dollars of damage that were not covered by my insurance.

No welfare mom here, nor do I suspect the rest of the affected areas. All the monies paid on my claims as well as tens of thousands out of my own pocket, went to pay for restoration of my property. In addition, the state legislature will soon be imposing an additional premium on all policy holders, no matter who their carrier is, to help pay-off about a billion dollars of debt incurred by the state-sponsored insurance pool.

BTW my claims for all 3 storms have eclipsed $135,000. However, my losses were far in excess of that figure. I also still have damage that has not yet been repaired. I also still owe almost $8,000 to my roofing contractor, who fortunately has agreed to wait until I get my insuranse money.

I believe the welfare moms are those that have gotten monies from FEMA, which incidentally paid me nothing.

Not complaining, mind you, just trying to get the services I paid for.

I never got a refund or rebate from the insurance company because of no storm activity and no claims.

Okay, thanks. Things are pretty tame risk-wise where I live, so this is good to know. Good luck with collecting.

 

[Capt. Jim]

Okay, thanks. Things are pretty tame risk-wise where I live, so this is good to know. Good luck with collecting.

Thanks. Talked with the Ins. co. today. Thay cut me 2 checks today but did not tell me the amounts. I guess the phone ops don't like some of the verbal feedback they get from the the insureds.

Anyway you look at it,...home, auto, business... dealing with insurance companies sucks.

Have a beer on me.

 

[Jman]

Thanks. Talked with the Ins. co. today. Thay cut me 2 checks today but did not tell me the amounts. I guess the phone ops don't like some of the verbal feedback they get from the the insureds.

Anyway you look at it,...home, auto, business... dealing with insurance companies sucks.

Have a beer on me.

I plan on having two, it's been that kind of day. I suggest you do the same.

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

Do you want $.02?

First of all, as a former independent adjuster, I have experience working with many who have had the same experiences you have had. I can't really go into it ay more than that, but needless to say, I never will own a policy from that co, and I could never recommend one, either....

1. Find out what kind of insurance law governs your state. Some states provide for stated value. That means if you paid for $100,000 in coverage, your house is a total, even if you can rebuild for $90K they owe you the $100K in coverage you paid for. Other states and/or policies provide replacement cost. You may buy $100K in coverage, but have a lot more coverage than that. Maybe up to around 20% more, + 5% debris removal, + optional "code upgrade" coverage, + possibly several other things. Of course, with the replacement cost provision comes the part that if it only takes $90K to make you "whole" again, that is what they owe.

Short version, don't just automatically settle for face amount. Lawyering up could save some time, but in some cases they'd rather deal with an attorney. If you hire one, they'll never talk to you again. Depending on who you choose and what's in it for them, it could cost quite a bit, and actually delay the process.

You have a provision known as a proof of loss. They probably have 60 or 90 days built in.....but have to accept or reject that proof....but again, be careful, you don't want to ask for less than you are entitled to, check your policy.

If you don't have a copy of it, GET IT NOW. IT will include many of the provisions and extra coverages, including a fire dept service charge.

Don't forget your landscaping that was trashed by the fire and or fire trucks. For loss by fire, you should have coverage where when wind blows a tree over in your yard you will be lucky to get debris removal.....another reason not to jump at the figure for house only, if your policy provides more.

Your ALE, Loss of Use, or whatever that co calls it should not be working the way it is. They should have given you an advance upfront for toiletries, clothes, and a few months of rent, + the extra cost above your normal food bill for eating out (may not apply since you live in a house with a kitchen), any hotel bills, utility hookups- refundable deposits, etc... ALE should have a dollar amount or maximum timeframe attached. Find out.

The only reason (and not a good one) for making you do anything about committing to a contract to rebuild is that they are worried you will milk the system, and take your sweet time getting around to starting in a few years....

They probably won't, even with working with them to arrive at a good figure (get a working copy of the adjuster's estimate...separate ones for dwelling, contents, and ALE (or possibly other structures if affected)) pay you everything upfront unless you live in the aforementioned valued policy state. This is called the loss settlement provision, but that doesn't even really matter now, and unless I was able to read your contract, it is just speculation.

Pay attention to your duties after a loss.

Ask what they need from you. Get a commitment when the adjuster will get back with you. If they don't when they say they will, go up the chain. Be persistent. Keep the super involved. If they don't get back with you, you will start to build a good case (keep a phone log) that they'll have a hard time disputing. At that point, Dept of Ins time....don't do it now, do it after they told you one thing and did another. As the former answerer to these type of complaints for many adjusters in multiple states, I can tell you they will start to get serious really quick if you can show any unfair claim practices......more so than hiring an attorney.

Cooperate, be nice, and make them accountable.....

Sorry it has gone this far, I thought I pmd you early on? Maybe it was someone else......

Here for a lame-brained attempt at help if you need it. There is probably much more I could add if not for the differences between cos and each state's laws, or just policies.....

 

[yooper]

Allstate is evil. I know. I looked into its eyes.

 

[74fjsemistock]

Allstate is beyond evil.My wife is an Agent (NOT for those Fawks) and had Allstate for at least 10 years with NEVER a claim on homes and at Min.3 vehicles.It took 1 time and a trial and the result was they basiclly called her a liar.This was after she was almost run down by a vehicle while rollerblading through a crosswalk and the driver fled the scene.Witnesses were badgered to change their statements by the good hands people.They had a Judge in their pocket and she found in favor of Allstate in EVERY case she sat on.They won and then tried to come after us for Attorney fees and costs.All for a broken wrist that my wife tried to put through our Homeowners Policy.All she wanted was Doc and Hosp Bills (Approx 5000.00)They came after us for 50,000.00 after 9 monthes of legal BS.They went away and so did we.IH8ALLSTATE and THE WHOLE SYSTEM.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Another asshat big company story regarding cars, so interesting. My younger brother bought an Audi 10 years ago. Something went wrong with the car quickly. He's an upstanding, conscientious and fair guy. They tried to fix it several times and could not. He politely asked them to swap him into another car. No dice. After a year of screwing around, they offered him a pittance to take the car back and would get him into another one - thousands of dollars cost to him.

In his state, Audi has an arbitration agreement to cover such thing. He dutifully began this process. It took additional months. Keep in mind, all this time he was making payments and driving a seriously problematic car. He felt the arbitration process was the way to go though he was a bit concerned that once you enter the process the result is final and binding. Finally, his day with the arbitrator occurs. They show with lawyers and such. Now keep in mind at the beginning of this process it would have cost Audi about what only ONE of these lawyers cost to handle the problem. The process was grueling but amazingly my brother won based on the strength of his painstakingly accurate record keeping. So the arbitrator (a judge) finds on his behalf and orders Audi to pay up and handle it within 30 days. Guess what? Audi invokes a part of the arbitration agreement that to this day enrages me - THEY are not bound to it. That's right! If they win it's binding against a customer. If the customer wins, it's NOT binding against them. Incredible. He dumped the POS.

DougM

 

[Deep South Cruisers]

Thanks for the run down, I have learned a TON about how the process works and they have done alot of what they SHOULD be doing but have fallen short on being TIMELY and thorough.

Confusion is caused by having multiple claims agents that apparantly do not communicate. The contents agent has called me no less than 5 times promising the contents check was en-route and FINALLY told me yesterday that she had made an error and had to resubmit the list for final approval.

For those in the business, here's what has been done to date. Some good some bad.


Structure - Debris removal required 3 quotes and I provided them within the first two weeks. Two months later we finally got a check to release the demo guy. Paying off the mortgage was equally frustrating. I got the payoff from my morgage company at my agents request only to have her not accept it because it wasn't official, she got the same number 2 weeks later. I made 2 house payments on a house that didn't exist while waiting, FINALLY they cut the checks and instead of sending the mortgage company check directly to them, she mailed it to me??? Structure has paid everything except my 20% for total loss = $30k and according to them I don't get that $30k unless I incurr cost above $150k (the original policy limit).

Contents - The first day on site they DID advance me $2500 for startup. They currently owe me $107,500 on contents and promised the check was in the mail some 6 weeks ago. Yesterday they promised again that I would have it first of next week. I'm not holding my breath.

Housing - The tiny rental in my back yard is home now. They are paying me $300 per month to live there. I have renovated the house and upgraded the power service and plumbing but I was told these improvements to a structure I owned got me no additional funds. Yesterday the housing agent told me I have to have a contract to buy or build a house by May 15th or she would not send my housing payment. I COULD make them rent me a house and furnish it (and I might still) my policy pays for housing for up to one year and I have only received 3 months.

 

[hoser]

Anybody actually really like their H.O. insurance company? I have Allstate and have been meanin' to switch. Consumer Reports likes the following companies, in this order:

Amica Mutual Insurance
Auto-Owners Insurance
Cincinnati Insurance
Chubb Indemnity Insurance
USAA
Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest
Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance

 

[cary]

If you qualify for USAA, by all means use them. They generally are considered to have the best rates and service of the insurance companies.

 

[cary]

Guess what? Audi invokes a part of the arbitration agreement that to this day enrages me - THEY are not bound to it. That's right! If they win it's binding against a customer. If the customer wins, it's NOT binding against them. Incredible. He dumped the POS.

DougM

Actually that is not correct. The arbitration agreement may say that, but in most states there is a requirement that arbitration clauses be mutual, meaning both parties must be equally bound. In California they have taken it further. In most cases the arbitration clauses imposed by large companies on individuals are not binding because the individual has not had an opportunity to negotiate the clause and has been unfairly deprived of the judicial system.