Northern California wildfire victims learn your insurance company is not your friend

[turbinetree]

SANTA ROSA — Four months after a ferocious firestorm devastated communities in California’s wine country, those who lost their homes are still struggling.

Animal feeding stations remain on roadsides, monitored by volunteers searching for pets left behind when their owners fled. Cats that had been feared dead continue to be found.

Signs are everywhere, advertising the services of contractors, engineers, debris removers and lawyers. Many burned homes have yet to be cleared.

The shock and horror of the early days have given way to lingering grief and agony over whether to rebuild or move on. But the most perplexing and time-consuming matter for victims has been insurance.

More than 8,000 homes and other buildings were lost in the fires that swept through Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Forty-four people died. Because of failed communications, some residents had only minutes to escape.

http://www.sfexaminer.com/northern-california-wildfire-victims-learn-insurance-company-not-friend/

[CanonRay]

1. "Like a good Neighbor" "You're in Good Hands"

etc, etc, marketing bullshit.

[SWBTATTReg]

2. Article is very well written. Too bad it had to be after the fact when folks ...

discovered the hard way about how some of these insurance companies work.

Wonder if there is a company that will represent you in dealing w/ the insurance companies in processing and/or processing claims? Seems like someone w/ lots of knowledge in dealing with and handling insurance companies and the claims process could charge a 1% fee or the like, empower the homeowner to receive more of they are entitled to, etc.

I'd be surprised if they don't have something like this in California, and other high risk areas (especially w/ high housing costs).

My heart goes out to all of these victims, who in effect, are being victimized again.

[BSdetect]

3. People are just leaving here in Norcal after losing their homes

and usually all their possessions. My friends lost virtually everything but a few documents and a bag of photo negatives. They had 2 minutes warning and barely made it to their car.

To rebuild now costs more than what the insurance companies are paying out.

And it takes a long time to get new plans / permits despite what local governments say about that. After two years you lose rent insurance. So if you do have new mortgage to pay you will also have rent to pay on top.

We know of at least one person who has already bought a better house in another state at a much better price than here. He has to commute about 40 miles now and will not rebuild.

Builders are buying empty blocks from people who will not rebuild.

The local Kaiser has 77 staff who lost homes. Many in the affluent parts of this town. How many will bother to go through the rebuilding hurdles?

Rents have shot up, vacancies are rare.

If you were near retirement and had to start all over and go through the rebuilding nightmare why would you stay here?