State Farm Cheating the Helpless

self ^ | 09/25/2004 | Praxeus

[Praxeus]

If anyone has any ideas on how we can handle this, I'd appreciate it. We lost everything we owned. We paid off the mortgage this past Wednesday.. I kid you not. What was going to be a celebration is instead an uncertain future.

[DefCon]

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.

[Tucker39]

Call your state insurance commissioner and attorney general.

[mgc1122]

Post some photos ... State Farm hates bad publicity.

[moehoward]

Yep. Both State Farm and Allstate have been at the root of pretty much all insurance horror stories I've experienced or heard.

[CindyDawg]

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".

[debrawiest]

No ideas, but I am praying for you.

[devane617]

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.

[Praxeus]

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.

[G.Mason]

Get an insurance adjuster. They are worth their fee.

[CR]

I work in the insurance industry. Despite their commercicals the "big 2" State Farm and Allstate are well known in the industry for having terrible claims service.

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

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

One of State Farm's insureds ran into our used car, after running a stop sign. Ours was a good used car with no previous body damage. We had bought it new. State Farm would neither give us what it would take to fix the car nor replace the car with a used one in like condition and mileage. All they would give us was a ridiculously low blue book value which was chump change.

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.

[Eagle Eye]

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.

[Praxeus]

That's what I've heard. But this hurricane is bringing out a different side I guess.

[Mamzelle]

re: If that does not get you satisfaction, you may need to sue State Farm)))

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.

[Praxeus]

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.

[daybreakcoming]

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.

[Praxeus]

I got plenty pictures on a CD. I will try to figure how to post them after this storm.

[Rockingham]

(1) Contact the Florida Department of Insurance and make a complaint.

(2) Publicity is also useful but can be hard to obtain.

(3) Letters to the top of the corporate food chain can be helpful if well reasoned and supported by pictures and written repair estimates.

(4) Talk to a lawyer.

(5) Get with FEMA.

Many of the insurers are being SOBs and leaving FEMA and the taxpayers to pick up the tab. Do not be bashful about getting what you can from FEMA, which usually covers much or all of what insurance companies refuse to pay.

Most of all, work through the problem, do not let it get you down, and know that you can and will persevere and get beyond current difficulties. Good luck.

[basil]

Probably the best decision you'll ever make. (Unless one of famous tornados come through, and get you, of course)