It was interesting to watch how all the big name insurance companies handled or did not handle their clients losses.
Of our four closest neighbors we have known for decades, we watched them struggle through the process where my wife and I received policy limits checks within two weeks of the loss. On top of that, we kept thinking of items left in dwelling B coverage like our spa for example. We purchased a new spa a few months ago. My wife asked, I wonder if our insurance will pick up the $7,200 for it? I contacted our agent, I was asked if we could prove we had a spa at the property? I said I had records but they were lost in the fire. I contacted the contractor who built the spa into our back deck. He wrote a letter to the agent. Two weeks later we had a check for $7,600. More than we asked. She said it was for installation and taxes. This is another example of finding the right company.
Back to our neighbors, Nationwide, AAA, Geico and Mercury were represented.
Jetti, who is a widow and is in her mid 80's had AAA. She is still fighting with them, she has not received full payment and is building a new home in another city. They had her in a small hotel for 9 months. She had to go out for every meal, finally she moved in with her daughter in Seattle. We were put up in an apartment until we purchased a home.
No fault to Mercury, one of our neighbors was way under insured. We assume our agents provide enough coverage? When there is no mortgage and you are shopping for a low bid = watch out. Get informed.
The other two finally got their policy limits but it took months.
We have Horace Mann. Insurance for Educators. They were fantastic!
