Ask question about your homeowners policy

[ashvamp]

Even though I do not know the status of my home yet I just got off the phone with my insurance agency.

My home in Crestline is my first home and my primary residence. I had all kinds of questions about the claims process and typically what sort of claims are filed for fire situations- even if the house doesn't burn down.

I found out that there are claims for smoke damage inside AND for the outside (like needing repainting b/c the fire can turn the paint anywhere from grey to black). I found out about making a detailed list of all the items in my house in case of a structure fire (how can I remember everything?). Luckily, I started getting ready to leave early enough to buy film and take pictures of the inside and outside of my house. I also found out about the process for getting compensation for having to live somewhere else (eg- meals costing more b/c you don't have access to a kitchen- like at a hotel, having to make a longer commute). All the small issues we may not yet be thinking about.

This may seem like common sense issues for seasoned homeowners but for younger people like me on their first home these are things you may not be thinking about right now that you should be thinking about while you have the time to wait and see what happens.

I feel helpless so far away from knowing what is going on- at least this way I feel like I am doing something.
The shock of having to leave is wearing off and now we have to get down to business so that things are in place when we can go back- to a habitable house or not.

I hope this may help some of the other homeowners out there who have never had to deal with something like this before. And I hope it doesn't happen again any time soon.

[linda]

[quote author=ashvamp


Do you know if insurance companies are covering expenses for housing if mandatory evauation? Also, hotels are at a premium if you can even find one.



link=board=OldInfo&thread=1067319815&start=0#0 date=1067319815]Even though I do not know the status of my home yet I just got off the phone with my insurance agency.

My home in Crestline is my first home and my primary residence. I had all kinds of questions about the claims process and typically what sort of claims are filed for fire situations- even if the house doesn't burn down.

I found out that there are claims for smoke damage inside AND for the outside (like needing repainting b/c the fire can turn the paint anywhere from grey to black). I found out about making a detailed list of all the items in my house in case of a structure fire (how can I remember everything?). Luckily, I started getting ready to leave early enough to buy film and take pictures of the inside and outside of my house. I also found out about the process for getting compensation for having to live somewhere else (eg- meals costing more b/c you don't have access to a kitchen- like at a hotel, having to make a longer commute). All the small issues we may not yet be thinking about.

This may seem like common sense issues for seasoned homeowners but for younger people like me on their first home these are things you may not be thinking about right now that you should be thinking about while you have the time to wait and see what happens.

I feel helpless so far away from knowing what is going on- at least this way I feel like I am doing something.
The shock of having to leave is wearing off and now we have to get down to business so that things are in place when we can go back- to a habitable house or not.

I hope this may help some of the other homeowners out there who have never had to deal with something like this before. And I hope it doesn't happen again any time soon.[/quote]

[Kelly]

The State of California Insurance Commissioner has established an information line for the public to use for questions on insurance-related matters. The toll-free number is 1-800-927-HELP. Information is also available on the Internet at www.insurance.ca.gov

[ashvamp]

Personally, my insurance won't do anything unless my home is damaged in some way. No damage= no claim= no money. They are telling me a mandatory evacuation doesn't count even though I have lost use of my home for the current time and I have to live in San Diego and commute to work from there.

Best to ask the insurance company, but without damage (or at this point even knowledge of possible damges) there's not much they can really say to you except to answer hypothetical questions.

(Here is the part where I start ranting)
Also, don't always expect any understanding from the folks at the insurance agency. I called and talked to a supervisor in Hollywood and he didn't seem to understand the concept that we are under a mandatory evacuation and are unable to find out specifics about our homes. He just didn't get it. Its not like we can go to a higher vantage point and look down on our houses or anything. Even when you see a shot of towns you can barely ever see any houses.
Also, none of the news stations I have been seeing will actually show us a picture of Lake Gregory from the helicopter. If I see another dumb shot of billowing clouds I am going to scream. I noticed that few streets or landmarks were being mentioned on these shows, too. They were calling everything "Crestline" for a while and now everything is just being called "Arrowhead" or "near Big Bear". Can't these stations get anyone familiar with the area to let them know where they are?

This is so frustrating. I found out more news today by calling the Stockade than I did from the paper, the TV, or even the incidentcontrol site. The fire info number I have been calling isn't much help either.

I understand everyone is trying their best, but the coverage just isn't what it should be. These boards are the best info I have gotten the whole time.

thanks to everyone who is posting.

-ashley

[ashvamp]

I just thought maybe people misunderstood the title for this section. I actually was supposed to write "Ask your insurance agency questions about your policy". I only know what I am now learning about the insurance and claims process.
I hope the title wasn't misleading.

[Picker]

No, Ashley the title wasn't misleading. I agree with you about the coverage. You would think by now the media would be savey enough to offer more specific information about the burn areas. I like what you said about the clouds of smoke. That is a usless waste of film. Our Mom & Dad are evacuated down the hill in a motel, we're here in Tulsa, OK. I am a home builder and I don't know whether to pack up my tools to come rebuild their home, or breath a sigh of relief.

As far as insurance compensation for evacuees, they are in the same situation as you. If their home didn't burn (we pray not) then they are S.O.L. on expense reimbursement.
Good luck with the whole ordeal.
Paul

ashvamp said:

I just thought maybe people misunderstood the title for this section. I actually was supposed to write "Ask your insurance agency questions about your policy". I only know what I am now learning about the insurance and claims process.
I hope the title wasn't misleading.

[ashvamp]

I just wanted to let everyone with a homeowners policy know that even if the place is still in fine condition when you get back you may be able to make a claim on smoke damage outside, if not also inside, your home. Last report I got said that the wind was coming from the south and things were smokey. Earlier days the wind had been coming from a northern direction and blowing the smoke out of town (to my understanding).

Call and ask your agent about what people normally end up claiming during a fire.

Here is something strange I also happened to think of- the power has been out now for over three days and if my home is still there I will have a fridge and freezer full of spoiled food. This is something you might want to check out also. Can this be added to damages even if your home survives. Although the thought of going through all that bad food and documenting it sounds pretty gross- it all cost me money.

Also- for those of you renters- look into getting renters insurance. You may not own the structure but you own everything inside of it and you want that covered.