Posted on 09/25/2004 8:14:24 AM PDT by Praxeus
Here in Vero Beach. Don't look forward to this hurricane.
I don't look forward to dealing more with State Farm. They have totally ripped us off from Frances. We had major, major damage.. all shingles, all tar paper; all ceiling down on the floor (save one room)along with blown in insulation. Major water damage. You can see all the tape seams on wall drywall.. can see where it is nailed.
The adjuster says all the wallboard is still good in spite of this. He even tried to prove the drywall was still good by pushing on it. His hand went right through the wall. We had 6 people standing watching when it happened.. his response was that "THIS piece is bad, not the rest." He went to another place and done the same thing "just that piece was bad".
In the one room where the ceiling did not fall, you can see where the water stained around each piece of drywall. He said it just needed repainted. All the insulation is wet above it.
We have chipboard decking on the roof which was soaked for several days.. he said it was fine and would dry out as would the insulation behind the drywall in the walls.
They told us to clean all the debris up inside (2-3' of wet drywall, insulation, broken possessions everywhere thru house.. sludge 2' deep) He said if we couldn't find someone to do it we had to ourselves -- SF would pay us for the time. It was a mess.. very hard for us. After the adjuster said he was wrong.. his supervisor said they would NOT pay us to do it but would have paid someone else.
They have been terrible.. this is nowhere near all that happened..
Their payout? $22,000. $15,500 after "depreciation" whatever that is. We get $15,500 to rebuild our house with damaged walls and decking to remain. The county came by and hung a notice on the front door that no one was to enter the dwelling.
Now here we go with another one coming right over the top of us. I'm writing this so all see what this company is doing to people at a time our lives are torn up. This is the last thing we should have to worry with. I called the State Insurance office and they were encouraging people to report insurance company lowballing. They told me State Farm was one of the worst they were getting complaints on.. and they were getting many, many complaints. Allstate and Nationwide were two others he mentioned.. But he said State Farm was the chief offender.
Well I want this out before I go thru number two.. who knows what will happen to us in this one. The National Hurricane Center called our county (Indian River) coordinator last night at 10pm and told him that Indian River was about to get something they have never faced..
If anyone knows how we can get what we have paid for all these years please help.
Prayers to all.. pray for us.
You think thats bad, just wait til you see your new premiums.
I feel for you, there are 10,00 stories like yours out there.
And more to come after tonight.
Call your state insurance commissioner and attorney general.
Post some photos ... State Farm hates bad publicity.
Yep. Both State Farm and Allstate have been at the root of pretty much all insurance horror stories I've experienced or heard.
Strange. They weren't fast but covered us well from a hail storm (then upped our rates of course:') I would video tape everything this time. It would have been worth it to see him put his hand thru a "good one".
No ideas, but I am praying for you.
I have found State Farm to be fair to deal with in the past. However, I have no experience here in Florida with SF. As sad or warped as it may sound, come spring I will be back in my Texas Prairie home. I have had enough of Florida, the crooks, and many other issues that I see as problems with the Sunshine State.
I'm honestly thinking of trying to insure myself.
We were insure for $115,000 on the house and $89,000 on contents. All those years paying premiums down the drain when it comes time for them to pay.
But you are right, it's not just us. Right now though.. I'm really concerned about Jeanne coming over us. It looks like we will get the NE Quadrant again just like on Frances -- with MUCH higher winds if they are right.
Get an insurance adjuster. They are worth their fee.
1)Document your problems with photos and expert opinions (this can be a contractor) The opinions of your friends and neighbors won't mean much if this goes to court.
2) File a formal complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services. Here is a link
3) If that does not get you satisfaction, you may need to sue State Farm
State Farm screwed us. I wouldn't expect them to do any different for you.
They can't build a vast empire generously paying claims, CAN THEY?
Like casinos in Las Vegas, they make their fortune from suckers they can take advantage of.
You can get an industrial hygenist to examine the home and make an assessment for the probablities of mold and bacterial infestations. There are other specialists who can inspect as well. They will be well worth their fee and the fee itself will possibly be reimbursable.
If you've had grey or black water in your walls or carpets, they need to go.
That's what I've heard. But this hurricane is bringing out a different side I guess.
It might come to that...but what if these big insurers start going under? I'm wondering where they're (all the insurers) going to get the money for these huge payouts.
It'll be the better insurance cos that will get hit the hardest.
Folks.. I have to tend to some things right now. The wind is starting to pick up. I will post as long as I have power. We look to be in ground zero here if the weather boys are right.
Thanx for any ideas that will help. I WILL read them if I come thru this storm.
Having just seen Jeanne upgraded to a Category 3, my prayers and thoughts are already with Floridians.
Are you getting assistance from FEMA? In the long run, sticking with the State Insurance Office with your complaint seems to be the best option.
May I have your permission to print out your post (without identifiers of course)? I would like to take it to my State Farm agent and ask him what the 'ell is going on over there and telling him that depending on his answer is whether we keep our homeowner's and auto policies with State Farm.
I got plenty pictures on a CD. I will try to figure how to post them after this storm.
Probably the best decision you'll ever make. (Unless one of famous tornados come through, and get you, of course)
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