So I get home from work.....

[spence]

15 years ago my family had a Christmas Day fire. Damage was close to 100k. My dad had a good sized umbrella policy with a major insurer...they still tried to nickel and dime him.

Well, that rafter isn't THAT charred.

There are times like this when it pays to be an #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&.

-spence
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[EricW]

That stinks Ross.

I had this happen back in April of 2007 when we had that horrific rainstorm before patriots day.
I will say the insurance wasn't all that bad, but they did nickel and dime alot and underestimate what it costs to fix things. This included new roof, replacing 1/2 of the trusses, personal property and all the wiring inside. I did ok and was able to have everything repaired that was needed by skipping stuff like replacing one of the garage doors and having it professionally cleaned, using leftover siding etc.
What I don't like though is you the response you get if something new happens. They remind you that you had a claim and your rates will go up if you have any more. So I have ended up fixing stuff myself lately.
I don't think having a tree hit my garage puts me at high risk to have my french door window break when I open it etc......but filing a claim would result in higher rates.

Anyway I wanted to share something I learned from this. Make sure you have enough insurance on your house and also from this case separate buildings if you have them. My garage was covered as a percentage, I think 10% of the main policy. Usually how they cover sheds etc. I had enough to cover things, but if the tree were to go straight thru the middle requiring a rebuild I would have been screwed. I asked my contractors what it would cost to rebuild from the ground up if necessary and re did my policy for that amount plus some.

Good luck.

[Rockfish9]

Best money making scheme there is...I went through that many years ago with Libery mutual... my Ex wife was side swiped by an hit and run driver..they paid the claim and refused to renwew the policy... one that I paid in full upon reciept of the bill every year..they really need to be accountable to someone..I know in my case.. the amount of money I had paid them through the years far exceeded the cost of the repairs..good luck Ross.. sometimes it's just not fair..LIGHT 'EM UP!

[nightfighter]

Agent called me back, and that is why I stay with him, meaning I believe in utilizing an agent as opposed to spending hours on hold trying to resolve stuff on my own, which is what I believe it would be with these advertised firm like geico and amica... That said, he got them to agree to renew with no lapse, mostly because he writes a fair amount of business with them. BUT, the premium would be up by XXX which I have since calculated to be a 25.9% increase, AND my deductible goes from $500 to $2500..... Is that supposed to be a good deal? After reviewing my old policy and doing the calculations, I have another call into him.
Two other companies I inquired with refused coverage because I was (well)within 1800 feet of the water.... They must not have seen topographical maps....