For those who are making comments re the victims in this case, you should talk to a few victims before you make silly comments about something you clearly do not know the facts on. I KNEW my policy inside and out and was FULLY aware and completely educated as to what was covered and what was not. I would be happy to receive only the amount I was shortpaid! WAY more than $1,000! That does not include overwhelming amount of time it has taken from my life/job/etc. for the last two years just to get a PORTION of what was rightly due to me! Believe me–if you knew all the facts of this case and what the people involved have been through, you would not make such offhanded comments.
It doesn’t surprise me, property adjusters are constantly trying to low ball claims. It’s impossible to get a fair settlement these days. Stick them with some punitive damages and take away the director’s salary and he’ll kick things into fairness. I don’t have any sympathy for the NFIP, it’s impossible to get anything from them.
The damages are real and devastating. Look at the two women in the videos, or read the congressional testimony. If you knew the facts you would be helping us instead of making hurtful comments. You profited on our backs and know want to pretend we don’t exist. We do. http://www.femainfo.us/legal_actions_conspiracy_suit.shtml
That’s a 2 with 9 zeros. If my math is right, that’s about 14 million for each “victim”. Of course the lawyer gets 1 billion, leaving the “victims” with only 7 million each. Still, that should cover a house with heat and indoor plumbing and a cement pond and acres for the kids to play.
Where are we heading that this seems even remotely reasonable? Someone shorted me $1000 so I deserve to live in luxury the rest of my life.
That’s a good point, how in the world could the claim amount be that much? Another point to remember for all the victims of this tragic event is “buyer beware”. How many people out there actually know what their flood policy does and does not cover. You wouldn’t buy a TV without knowing how to operate it. You wouldn’t buy a house without having it inspected. Right? Know what you are paying for and if you don’t, ask. That is what your insurance agent is there for. The sad reality is that no one really cares until after a tragic event like this has occurred. I hope all the victims of this event are rightly compensated according to the terms and conditions set forth in their policies, nothing more, and nothing less.
The $2bn class action represents $83,333 for each of the 24,000 claimants – please get your math straight before making silly comments; nevertheless, I agree probably 99% of the claimants got what they deserved according to the terms and conditions of their policy – they are just too ignorant and the michael jordan lawsuit mentality too easy to pursue with plaintiff attorney’s collecting % of winnings.
billions or millions??…your comments so offhanded and removed from feeling dont surprise me I am a victim and thats exactly the kind of BS that I have heard from all the bureacrats and agents that dig in my pocket and force me to pay for flood insurance then renig when a flood occurs..how can you folks sleep at night..I dont want a handout..just cover my losses HONESTLY as was stated in my policy…not the bait and switch and BS that we have been handed..
Purchasing a flood insurance policy is like buying a TV with nothing in it. And, your mortgage company requires that you do this. Unfortunately, this purchase is made from the only manufacturer in existance.
The first time you need it, you discover that it doesn’t work. This is because it doesn’t have a picture tube and all of the other components.
When you protest to the manufacturer, you’re given the run around, you’re lied to and you’re the victim of illegal practices. On top of all that, this TV manufactuer is hired and backed by the US Government specifically so that these things don’t take place.
You are forced to repair the TV at your own expense.
These additional expenses are so costly that you exhaust your savings, run up the credit cards and depleat your retirement.
I suggest that you refrain from opening your mouth and letting your brain leak out until you get all your facts straight. I would be ecstatic just to get my house back. But it takes this kind of action just to get noticed in today’s climate. It’s easy to look down your nose when you have not been through the past 20 months staring at the remains of your house and not being able to do anything about it because you were cheated out of what you paid for. I know very well exactly what the policy says it covers and the terms of payment. Sit down and shut up until you know what you are talking about.
The Flood Policy is the same for everyone except for total coverage, deductable, and personal property coverage. It’s posted on the NFIP web site. The copy we get from our WYO is that exact policy with their name on the front page.
I’ve read mine. The policy says “We insure you against all DIRECT PHYSICAL LOSS BY OR FROM FLOOD to the insured property”. Under Coverage A – Building Property – “We cover your dwelling which includes – 2. Materials and supplies to be used in the constructing, altering or repairing the dwelling”.
When the adjuster comes out, we are told that they only cover replacing 4 ft up of the drywall, and will only pay to paint that 4 ft. Is it right, in a replacement cost policy to leave the wall with a line going around the room 4 ft high, and a two tone paint job ???
There are many things that are not spelled out in the policy , that a policy owner is unaware of, until a loss. This isn’t right and has to be changed.
Unfortunately it had to come to a lawsuit, it was a very difficult decision to file the suit. These have been very stressful times. If they had just paid me what my contractor estimated the work to be originally I would have been satisfied. Of course in the end it did cost more than that.
My first adjuster flat out told me not to file an ICC, even though I told him I already had the substantial damage letter from the county.
How the policies are written and given to the policy owners, and how they are adjusted are not equal.
Hey Jack Pot, the “Fact” that we were shorted out what was due us IS ILLEGAL. Since you readily admit it–maybe they should come directly to your place and ARREST you first.
To all of those people (including the agents and adjusters) who believe we are wrong in our claims and demand for payment, please tell me this…
What would your family say if you told them that you did all the right things to prepare in the event of a natural disaster, but now the “reputable” companies and government agencies who promised to bring you back to your “pre-flood condition” and previous standard of living are now the same ones giving you pennies on the dollars for necessary repairs and asserting they are only required to provide “a little assistance.”
What would your family say if you told them they must live in 275 square feet of space for the next two or more years? Along with this, they can only shower while turning the water on and off, because the hot water will not last for one, much less four showers, for the family! Then, when the winter comes, ice forms on the INSIDE of your trailer, mold is an everyday occurrence, and water and sewer pipes freeze, leaving you to live in disgusting conditions.
All the while, your beautiful home sits just a few feet away, left without heat or air conditioning, or even electricity in many cases. Your children cannot play, have friends over, celebrate birthdays, holidays or family celebrations, as there is no room. Your children are ridiculed at school and unable to focus on their studies. Illness is a part of your everyday life. You, your children and even your pets are destroyed, homeless, depressed and lost.
Tell me then, how you can face that same family, your neighbors and coworkers without disgrace and upset. Tell me then that you are not entitled to the coverage you have continued paying on for nearly twenty years. Tell me then that the loss of nearly two years of your lives is not worth anything.
If you feel you can still look me in the eye and tell me this, then please do so. I personally invite you to bring your family to live with mine in these conditions and then let’s see if you can possibly say this to me, as well as to your own children.
Let me see now. We live in a country that prides itself in being first responders to tragedies all over the world, so the insurance industry thinks we should be content with actually PAYING for insurance to cover our loss in a tragedy and then be happy when the same government asks us to be content with half a house. We are not asking for a “handout.” We paid for coverage for the $$ amount that would replace out homes. Now, the insurance industry wants us to settle for half a home because as my adjuster said to me “you must be overinsured.” Ha ha. All the while I heard no one offering to return our premiums. Try being homeless for what is now almost two years and then get back to me and tell me how you liked it.
2 billion, I suppose the Replacement Value Policy I was sold, and paid a boosted premium for, State that it would completely replace my home were it destroyed by flood. Instead I received $57, 000.00. It will cost 100 per sq foot to rebuild totaling $180,000.00. Do that math and tell me where I misunderstood my insurance agent. Tell me again how I did not know my policy.
While a good deal of the investigations and FEMA task force gathering was going on I lived on a boat, we were frozen into the river as it was the coldest winter in this area in a long time. We were not even offered a FEMA trailer. And when I begged for rent help we were denied, not our right, but denied by silence.
I cornered FEMA at a “Help Fair”, after humiliating them into it we finally did get a FEMA trailer. March over a year ago.
We still had not received our insurance settlement by then. Had not come to terms with the SBA, who I might note are absent from this settlement, even though they too low ball the low interest loans. Could not begin to rebuild, and were and still are repeatedly told how lucky we are. Did you know FEMA comes every month to do a Bed check, to insure you’re still using the trailer? Making sure your not too rich that you stay with a relative, or god forbid you might get an apartment and you would be defrauding them!
I have been told so many lies, starting with the first responders, carrying through Anne Arundel County building officials, that we are left most times alone, in the dark. We were defrauded by not only FEMA and our insurance Company All State. But also the SBA, â€Åâ€ŔWe will help you with low interest loans.†Small print, until your insurance money comes in to repay us. Anne Arundel County, â€Åâ€ŔWe will help you get through the rebuild process with access to AA county codes experts, building inspection exceptions, and faster plan approvals†Small Print: We will do this as long as YOU are completely versed in ALL AA County codes, until then we will make your life miserable, slow the process and constantly threaten you with fines. And after you get through all of that, we will send inspectors to harass you for not being an AA county preferred builder, change your plans, change our minds, and then fine you again for not being able to read our minds.
I am not asking to be made rich, I am asking for my dignity back. My home back, my life, you see after all this, while in the FEMA trailer, I was told I have a rare lung disease usually brought on by molds and I will die in less than five years. We pray the doctors are wrong, but the diagnosis hasn’t changed.
My husband is rebuilding the house alone. I am sure that was in my policy.
It’s unbeliavable what we have been through since Isabel.
We had full coverage and Omaha Mutual refused to pay us what we are entitled to. It’s interesting that Omaha is not mentioned in the article. Why is that?
We have lost our homes, lived in trailers and fought the good fight. Omaha told us- that’s all you get, sue us. (Yes, we paid for full coverage). We followed the procedures, as we were instructed, while others, who had no idea of our plight, critized us in their ignorance.
Walk in our shoes for 1 minute.Some of you have no idea what dealing with this issue has cost us.
We spent the better part of 2 years on the phone begging various agencies for help, making copies, faxing info, going to meetings, getting estimates, etc.
There was no other recourse but to file.
What is your life worth when someone destroys it?
All we wanted was the coverage that we paid for. Not charity, this is coverage we paid for and were denied.
We can hold our heads up high because we have not done anything wrong.
We are holding the companies accountable for their actions. They had their chance to do the right thing and didn’t.
Our attorney is one of the few people who stood up in our defense. He deserves every penny he gets. And so do we.
What’s 2 years of YOUR life worth????
May it never happen to you.
Jackpot – I think not. Try walking in our shoes. For the past two years our lives have been ruined. My mother who was once an active and vibrant woman is on her death bed now. Probably with only weeks to live. No amount of money can replace my mother. I am hocked up to my neck. I was planning on retiring in 5 years. So much for the good life. My health is now failing. My job is at risk. I have aged 10 years in the past two years. And I cry more than smile these days. And we should be grateful for the pennies on the dollar we received and not angry at what has been done to all of us. Live in luxury the rest of our lives. I think not. No amount of money can bring back what we have lost.
I owe an apology to anyone who was affected as badly as some of the postings that accompanied my first comments about not knowing what the policy covers, and the lawsuit being a litigious exercise.
The poor faith efforts of the Adjustors, insurane companies, FEMA, Anne Arundel officials, building inspectors, etc. leaves two important questions:
1.) Has anyone had a decent Home or Building replacement experience with the flooding from Isabelle?
2.) And why are their only 140 particpants in this lawsuit? With the number of damaged Home structures and what seems to be a relatively comprehensive conspiracy to avoid full replacement and rebuild with like kind and quality, One would guess a great deal more people would be part of this lawsuit?
Sorry Fred, if the article is at all accurate, there are only 140 people suing and there’s no mention of a class action. And if it is actually a class action, your math is wrong too. The lawyer get his and each member of the class gets $1.98.
I considered signing on for the lawsuit, I changed my mind in the end because I was just ready to move on and put this behind us.
We got about 50 cents on the dollar for our damage. We have demolished the house and after wrangling with the SBA got a construction loan to finance a new house.
The adjuster assigned to my claim visited my home twice; the first time after dark one week after the flood. No electricity and no one else there (Ihad waited for him 4 hours). When I talked to him the following week, I asked how he could possibly have seen anything….how he could have crawled under the house to examine structural damage. Just one of many problems with the NFIP process. We pay premiums for 30 years to protect ourselves against such a loss and trust that we will be treated fairly. NFIP and the adjuster ignored the contractor estimates I provided and instead gave me 1/3 of what I needed to rebuild. I will not be a victim of this fraud.
You have to be kidding, nothing is going to happen until after we are all rebuilt anyway. Signing up for the lawsuit simply menat that MAYBE, after it is all done, I won’t have to declare bankruptcy.
Bottom line is I am not getting what I was told by my agent that I was buying. As a result, our lives have been a living hell for 9 months and it is not close to being over.
My life and the lives of my four year old and toddler will be negatively changed forever. One example is that my marriage will probably not survive the long-term stress resulting in my children being without their father and I being without my husband.
We have not had a home for 9 months. My 4 year old daughter sleeps on the floor, I sleep in a chair and my husband sleeps on the couch of my parents’ familyroom. My 4 year old cries because she misses her friends, she misses her bedroom and she misses her home and toys. She wants to sell lemonade to make money to fix our “flood house” — it is no longer “home” to her. All because of greed and inaction on the part of people enlisted to help us.
Good days are when I wake up and feel like I don’t have the energy to face the day and don’t enjoy anything I do. I can’t remember the last time I had a good day or enjoyed anything. I fight back tears almost daily. For 9 months and counting.
I want my life back. I want to go home. I want to be happy again. I don’t even remember what it is like to be happy.
Most of the negative comments made were so obvisously made by someone who is ignorant to the facts of the situation. Before making such comments, become informed by reviewing the following information.
My family lost our home and all of our belongings in a so called NO NAME storm June 23,2003. We were fully insured by the NFIP {what a joke} and sit here a week shy of 2 years living with our 2 year old in less than substanderd conditions! Of all we lost I miss most the person I use to be. I use to love, and now I am full of rage and anger, I use to trust, and now I do not. I use to give and now I say why give to those that do not help themselves that’s the governments job! I use to be proud to be an American and now I am ashamed! I would like to invite anyone that does not understand the HELL that my family has endured and continues to due to the fraud commited by the NFIP to come and live in our shoes for a weekend! It will be a wonderful holiday vacation in 90 degee weather without air conditioning.
I cleaned homes, cut grass, did a newspaper job, drove a school bus for extra money when we were poor. I finally went to college on Pell grants and scholarships and earned a BS. My husband did the same. We buy a house get flood insurance and thought that was it. We lose almost everything over night and are told by flood insurance we are over insured. We get a SBA loan and start over. Were we at fault? What did we do wrong? Please check out femainfo.us for other information.
Insurers-Agents-Brokers can sell homeowners replacement (Reconstruction) cost valued policies, while at the same time, insurance adjusters are incorrectly estimating (hurricane, flood, hail, fire, earthquake, windstorm, etc.) claims with NEW construction cost values…a common difference of 35-50% of the base dollar value of the loss.
Other claim settlement values being left out (undisclosed), that have been pre-paid for in a homeowners monthly premium payment, is primary-general-sub contractor overhead and profit values.
Whether a contractor is used of not, a claims loss value has common 20-49% overhead and profit value. Sub-total line values on an insurer’s-adjuster’s “estimate” should openly show, or be able to prove, those inherent claim loss values. Many times they do not, to the ignorance-detriment of the policyholder.
We have been slapped around plenty down here in Florida. I do feel your pain.
I am with you guys when it comes to the big Insurance companies…it seems logical that those companies would be less giving…but the little 3rd party WYO guys get paid by percentage of claims/commissions and would rather the claim be large than small (I am 99.9% sure of that).
I have a relative that is in the \”Catastrophic\” claims business and they spend a rediculous amount of time away from their families, friends, and natural surroundings trying to help folks with the overflow of claims.
I could see being mad at the policy writers and enforcers but not the helping hands.
I am a GC in South Florida and a Public Adjuster. I am having a serious issue with Insurance carriers and FIGA starting the practce of NOT paying contractors overhead and profit to my clients even with a signed contract on roofing, fencing, and carpet. So if I follow that line of thinking, the isurance industry not only insists a contractor be hired to do the repairs, but he is supposed to schedule, oversee, be responsible for all the work and at the end of the year, his General liability insurance carrier can audit him and charge him for the roof he made no money on. In short, do the work and kick in some money of your own for our insured. FIGA said they have a lawyers opinion that states that they do not have to pay O&P on these items no matter what. But also refuse to produce the document that says so. So I ask anyone and everyone who can read this or is experiencing the same insane arguement, to research any and all rules, guidelines or directives to disallow or disprove this fictitious rule they are using. As a General contractor, I still expect to be paid the overhead and profit for ALL repairs I am responsible for. The insured should therefore be entitled to be reimbursed for them once incurred. End of Story. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated to stop this unfair trade practice.
EM me at rogerpoegc@gmail.com for information regarding criminal conduct by insurers and adjusters against construction business contractors.
Promoting fraudulent insurance loss claim value schemes, public deception, anti-competitive behavior, economic restriction of trade and theft of premiums by omission of true base loss values is a serious matter for smug and corrupt “adjusters”, who enjoy life outside of prison, to be toying with.
Good adjusters will not play with your reputation and living.
Bad adjusters, supported by corrupt management, hurt children, parents, neighbors, and themselves, in the name of money, greed, and ego.
My late wife & I live on a little island called Hoopers Island in the state of Maryland.
Hurricane Isabel came through and devastated our area.
Our house was left standing and we thought fixable.
A few months after the hurricane and $15,000.00 later the state inspector came through and told us we had to tear it down and build new.
He said the house could not be elevated without tearing it apart to meet new state guidelines.
To make a long story short the reason I am contacting you is to see if you might be able to steer me in the right direction.
My wife and I were moved out of our old house by FEMA and told we had to live in a trailer they brought down to us.
They were worried about the mold in our old house.
We lived in the trailer until November 2005 when we moved into our new home, (about 2 years).
My wife had become ill living in the FEMA trailer and woke up one morning in 2005 slurring her words and not being able to think straight.
I thought she had suffered a stroke.
I took her to the emergency room where they sent her to Georgetown University.
The prognosis was she had developed 7 brain tumors & lung cancer.
She was a non smoker.
We had told FEMA several times that the chemical smells in the trailer would give us headaches, burning eyes, & chest pains, but they told us it was because it was new & the smell would go away. They even sent down inspectors several times to test the air & told us everything was fine.
I met my wife when I was 15 years old and we married when I turned 17.
We spent our entire adult life together.
My wife died June 21, 2006 at the age of 54.
I have spent the last 2 1/2 years trying to control the grief that comes when your whole life is torn out from under you.
I have reached a point where my grief is turning to rage and I would like to see someone pay for killing my wife, but am being told I only had 2 years to file a form 95 claim after she died. Now I have some of the same symptoms my wife showed before she became very ill. I’m afraid this is going to kill us both before justice is done.
This can’t be right. No one ever told me I had only 2 years to file anything after she passed.
I did not think there was a statute of limitations on murder and that’s all this is, legal murder.
With FEMA knowing the formaldehyde was so deadly, why did they just sit by and let people die? I have been in the US Army most of my adult life & am very proud of it. I have seen 3rd world countries that would not treat their people like FEMA treated us.
Can you guide me in the right direction or maybe to someone I can talk with about this?
The government knew the formaldehyde was killing people and did nothing about it.
There’s no way they should be able to get off scot free.
I am so sorry, my family has been torn apart from all of this. Our lives are upside down still, and there is no path forward for us, except bankruptcy. The lung disease I contracted in the FEMA trailer, led me to be disabled, and I have not disability insurance. I wish I could tell you there was a lawyer who could help us, but there is not. I am truly sorry for you and your wife. My husband will be in your shoes before too long, hopefully he can connect with someone like you to help him get through all of this.
My house was flooded from Sandy 10-29-2012, Colonial Claims has dragged out covering the claim for 7 months so far. They did a terrible job starting with the adjuster down to supervisors. It looks like they are doing the same thing with Sandy as with Isable. What will it take to get them to send the necessary funds to get home repaired?? If the policy is being paid for why is it so hard to get the service from any insurance company. I have been with my insurance company for 30 plus years and have never had one minutes problem with them. The difference is I guess is the Federal government put themselves at the top and made rules. They need to keep out of the insurance business much less concern themselves with making a profit off the backs of those hit with flooding, etc. Lord only knows what the poor people are going to have to go through out in Oka. What will it take to make this stop?
dont mean to bring this from the deat, but , Um, the government is losing money being in the insurance business. there would be no flood insurance without the government.
For those who are making comments re the victims in this case, you should talk to a few victims before you make silly comments about something you clearly do not know the facts on. I KNEW my policy inside and out and was FULLY aware and completely educated as to what was covered and what was not. I would be happy to receive only the amount I was shortpaid! WAY more than $1,000! That does not include overwhelming amount of time it has taken from my life/job/etc. for the last two years just to get a PORTION of what was rightly due to me! Believe me–if you knew all the facts of this case and what the people involved have been through, you would not make such offhanded comments.
It doesn’t surprise me, property adjusters are constantly trying to low ball claims. It’s impossible to get a fair settlement these days. Stick them with some punitive damages and take away the director’s salary and he’ll kick things into fairness. I don’t have any sympathy for the NFIP, it’s impossible to get anything from them.
The damages are real and devastating. Look at the two women in the videos, or read the congressional testimony. If you knew the facts you would be helping us instead of making hurtful comments. You profited on our backs and know want to pretend we don’t exist. We do.
http://www.femainfo.us/legal_actions_conspiracy_suit.shtml
That’s a 2 with 9 zeros. If my math is right, that’s about 14 million for each “victim”. Of course the lawyer gets 1 billion, leaving the “victims” with only 7 million each. Still, that should cover a house with heat and indoor plumbing and a cement pond and acres for the kids to play.
Where are we heading that this seems even remotely reasonable? Someone shorted me $1000 so I deserve to live in luxury the rest of my life.
That’s a good point, how in the world could the claim amount be that much? Another point to remember for all the victims of this tragic event is “buyer beware”. How many people out there actually know what their flood policy does and does not cover. You wouldn’t buy a TV without knowing how to operate it. You wouldn’t buy a house without having it inspected. Right? Know what you are paying for and if you don’t, ask. That is what your insurance agent is there for. The sad reality is that no one really cares until after a tragic event like this has occurred. I hope all the victims of this event are rightly compensated according to the terms and conditions set forth in their policies, nothing more, and nothing less.
The $2bn class action represents $83,333 for each of the 24,000 claimants – please get your math straight before making silly comments; nevertheless, I agree probably 99% of the claimants got what they deserved according to the terms and conditions of their policy – they are just too ignorant and the michael jordan lawsuit mentality too easy to pursue with plaintiff attorney’s collecting % of winnings.
billions or millions??…your comments so offhanded and removed from feeling dont surprise me I am a victim and thats exactly the kind of BS that I have heard from all the bureacrats and agents that dig in my pocket and force me to pay for flood insurance then renig when a flood occurs..how can you folks sleep at night..I dont want a handout..just cover my losses HONESTLY as was stated in my policy…not the bait and switch and BS that we have been handed..
Purchasing a flood insurance policy is like buying a TV with nothing in it. And, your mortgage company requires that you do this. Unfortunately, this purchase is made from the only manufacturer in existance.
The first time you need it, you discover that it doesn’t work. This is because it doesn’t have a picture tube and all of the other components.
When you protest to the manufacturer, you’re given the run around, you’re lied to and you’re the victim of illegal practices. On top of all that, this TV manufactuer is hired and backed by the US Government specifically so that these things don’t take place.
You are forced to repair the TV at your own expense.
These additional expenses are so costly that you exhaust your savings, run up the credit cards and depleat your retirement.
I suggest that you refrain from opening your mouth and letting your brain leak out until you get all your facts straight. I would be ecstatic just to get my house back. But it takes this kind of action just to get noticed in today’s climate. It’s easy to look down your nose when you have not been through the past 20 months staring at the remains of your house and not being able to do anything about it because you were cheated out of what you paid for. I know very well exactly what the policy says it covers and the terms of payment. Sit down and shut up until you know what you are talking about.
The Flood Policy is the same for everyone except for total coverage, deductable, and personal property coverage. It’s posted on the NFIP web site. The copy we get from our WYO is that exact policy with their name on the front page.
I’ve read mine. The policy says “We insure you against all DIRECT PHYSICAL LOSS BY OR FROM FLOOD to the insured property”. Under Coverage A – Building Property – “We cover your dwelling which includes – 2. Materials and supplies to be used in the constructing, altering or repairing the dwelling”.
When the adjuster comes out, we are told that they only cover replacing 4 ft up of the drywall, and will only pay to paint that 4 ft. Is it right, in a replacement cost policy to leave the wall with a line going around the room 4 ft high, and a two tone paint job ???
There are many things that are not spelled out in the policy , that a policy owner is unaware of, until a loss. This isn’t right and has to be changed.
Unfortunately it had to come to a lawsuit, it was a very difficult decision to file the suit. These have been very stressful times. If they had just paid me what my contractor estimated the work to be originally I would have been satisfied. Of course in the end it did cost more than that.
My first adjuster flat out told me not to file an ICC, even though I told him I already had the substantial damage letter from the county.
How the policies are written and given to the policy owners, and how they are adjusted are not equal.
Hey Jack Pot, the “Fact” that we were shorted out what was due us IS ILLEGAL. Since you readily admit it–maybe they should come directly to your place and ARREST you first.
To all of those people (including the agents and adjusters) who believe we are wrong in our claims and demand for payment, please tell me this…
What would your family say if you told them that you did all the right things to prepare in the event of a natural disaster, but now the “reputable” companies and government agencies who promised to bring you back to your “pre-flood condition” and previous standard of living are now the same ones giving you pennies on the dollars for necessary repairs and asserting they are only required to provide “a little assistance.”
What would your family say if you told them they must live in 275 square feet of space for the next two or more years? Along with this, they can only shower while turning the water on and off, because the hot water will not last for one, much less four showers, for the family! Then, when the winter comes, ice forms on the INSIDE of your trailer, mold is an everyday occurrence, and water and sewer pipes freeze, leaving you to live in disgusting conditions.
All the while, your beautiful home sits just a few feet away, left without heat or air conditioning, or even electricity in many cases. Your children cannot play, have friends over, celebrate birthdays, holidays or family celebrations, as there is no room. Your children are ridiculed at school and unable to focus on their studies. Illness is a part of your everyday life. You, your children and even your pets are destroyed, homeless, depressed and lost.
Tell me then, how you can face that same family, your neighbors and coworkers without disgrace and upset. Tell me then that you are not entitled to the coverage you have continued paying on for nearly twenty years. Tell me then that the loss of nearly two years of your lives is not worth anything.
If you feel you can still look me in the eye and tell me this, then please do so. I personally invite you to bring your family to live with mine in these conditions and then let’s see if you can possibly say this to me, as well as to your own children.
Let me see now. We live in a country that prides itself in being first responders to tragedies all over the world, so the insurance industry thinks we should be content with actually PAYING for insurance to cover our loss in a tragedy and then be happy when the same government asks us to be content with half a house. We are not asking for a “handout.” We paid for coverage for the $$ amount that would replace out homes. Now, the insurance industry wants us to settle for half a home because as my adjuster said to me “you must be overinsured.” Ha ha. All the while I heard no one offering to return our premiums. Try being homeless for what is now almost two years and then get back to me and tell me how you liked it.
2 billion, I suppose the Replacement Value Policy I was sold, and paid a boosted premium for, State that it would completely replace my home were it destroyed by flood. Instead I received $57, 000.00. It will cost 100 per sq foot to rebuild totaling $180,000.00. Do that math and tell me where I misunderstood my insurance agent. Tell me again how I did not know my policy.
While a good deal of the investigations and FEMA task force gathering was going on I lived on a boat, we were frozen into the river as it was the coldest winter in this area in a long time. We were not even offered a FEMA trailer. And when I begged for rent help we were denied, not our right, but denied by silence.
I cornered FEMA at a “Help Fair”, after humiliating them into it we finally did get a FEMA trailer. March over a year ago.
We still had not received our insurance settlement by then. Had not come to terms with the SBA, who I might note are absent from this settlement, even though they too low ball the low interest loans. Could not begin to rebuild, and were and still are repeatedly told how lucky we are. Did you know FEMA comes every month to do a Bed check, to insure you’re still using the trailer? Making sure your not too rich that you stay with a relative, or god forbid you might get an apartment and you would be defrauding them!
I have been told so many lies, starting with the first responders, carrying through Anne Arundel County building officials, that we are left most times alone, in the dark. We were defrauded by not only FEMA and our insurance Company All State. But also the SBA, â€Åâ€ŔWe will help you with low interest loans.†Small print, until your insurance money comes in to repay us. Anne Arundel County, â€Åâ€ŔWe will help you get through the rebuild process with access to AA county codes experts, building inspection exceptions, and faster plan approvals†Small Print: We will do this as long as YOU are completely versed in ALL AA County codes, until then we will make your life miserable, slow the process and constantly threaten you with fines. And after you get through all of that, we will send inspectors to harass you for not being an AA county preferred builder, change your plans, change our minds, and then fine you again for not being able to read our minds.
I am not asking to be made rich, I am asking for my dignity back. My home back, my life, you see after all this, while in the FEMA trailer, I was told I have a rare lung disease usually brought on by molds and I will die in less than five years. We pray the doctors are wrong, but the diagnosis hasn’t changed.
My husband is rebuilding the house alone. I am sure that was in my policy.
It’s unbeliavable what we have been through since Isabel.
We had full coverage and Omaha Mutual refused to pay us what we are entitled to. It’s interesting that Omaha is not mentioned in the article. Why is that?
We have lost our homes, lived in trailers and fought the good fight. Omaha told us- that’s all you get, sue us. (Yes, we paid for full coverage). We followed the procedures, as we were instructed, while others, who had no idea of our plight, critized us in their ignorance.
Walk in our shoes for 1 minute.Some of you have no idea what dealing with this issue has cost us.
We spent the better part of 2 years on the phone begging various agencies for help, making copies, faxing info, going to meetings, getting estimates, etc.
There was no other recourse but to file.
What is your life worth when someone destroys it?
All we wanted was the coverage that we paid for. Not charity, this is coverage we paid for and were denied.
We can hold our heads up high because we have not done anything wrong.
We are holding the companies accountable for their actions. They had their chance to do the right thing and didn’t.
Our attorney is one of the few people who stood up in our defense. He deserves every penny he gets. And so do we.
What’s 2 years of YOUR life worth????
May it never happen to you.
Jackpot – I think not. Try walking in our shoes. For the past two years our lives have been ruined. My mother who was once an active and vibrant woman is on her death bed now. Probably with only weeks to live. No amount of money can replace my mother. I am hocked up to my neck. I was planning on retiring in 5 years. So much for the good life. My health is now failing. My job is at risk. I have aged 10 years in the past two years. And I cry more than smile these days. And we should be grateful for the pennies on the dollar we received and not angry at what has been done to all of us. Live in luxury the rest of our lives. I think not. No amount of money can bring back what we have lost.
I owe an apology to anyone who was affected as badly as some of the postings that accompanied my first comments about not knowing what the policy covers, and the lawsuit being a litigious exercise.
The poor faith efforts of the Adjustors, insurane companies, FEMA, Anne Arundel officials, building inspectors, etc. leaves two important questions:
1.) Has anyone had a decent Home or Building replacement experience with the flooding from Isabelle?
2.) And why are their only 140 particpants in this lawsuit? With the number of damaged Home structures and what seems to be a relatively comprehensive conspiracy to avoid full replacement and rebuild with like kind and quality, One would guess a great deal more people would be part of this lawsuit?
Sorry Fred, if the article is at all accurate, there are only 140 people suing and there’s no mention of a class action. And if it is actually a class action, your math is wrong too. The lawyer get his and each member of the class gets $1.98.
I considered signing on for the lawsuit, I changed my mind in the end because I was just ready to move on and put this behind us.
We got about 50 cents on the dollar for our damage. We have demolished the house and after wrangling with the SBA got a construction loan to finance a new house.
My kids and hubby just want our lives back.
The adjuster assigned to my claim visited my home twice; the first time after dark one week after the flood. No electricity and no one else there (Ihad waited for him 4 hours). When I talked to him the following week, I asked how he could possibly have seen anything….how he could have crawled under the house to examine structural damage. Just one of many problems with the NFIP process. We pay premiums for 30 years to protect ourselves against such a loss and trust that we will be treated fairly. NFIP and the adjuster ignored the contractor estimates I provided and instead gave me 1/3 of what I needed to rebuild. I will not be a victim of this fraud.
You have to be kidding, nothing is going to happen until after we are all rebuilt anyway. Signing up for the lawsuit simply menat that MAYBE, after it is all done, I won’t have to declare bankruptcy.
You should reconsider
Bottom line is I am not getting what I was told by my agent that I was buying. As a result, our lives have been a living hell for 9 months and it is not close to being over.
My life and the lives of my four year old and toddler will be negatively changed forever. One example is that my marriage will probably not survive the long-term stress resulting in my children being without their father and I being without my husband.
We have not had a home for 9 months. My 4 year old daughter sleeps on the floor, I sleep in a chair and my husband sleeps on the couch of my parents’ familyroom. My 4 year old cries because she misses her friends, she misses her bedroom and she misses her home and toys. She wants to sell lemonade to make money to fix our “flood house” — it is no longer “home” to her. All because of greed and inaction on the part of people enlisted to help us.
Good days are when I wake up and feel like I don’t have the energy to face the day and don’t enjoy anything I do. I can’t remember the last time I had a good day or enjoyed anything. I fight back tears almost daily. For 9 months and counting.
I want my life back. I want to go home. I want to be happy again. I don’t even remember what it is like to be happy.
Most of the negative comments made were so obvisously made by someone who is ignorant to the facts of the situation. Before making such comments, become informed by reviewing the following information.
Please check out the following link in order to see problems Undersecretary Brown was aware of:
http://www.femainfo.us/Links/Brown_email_summary.pdf
Check out this website to see Congressional Testimony of calls for DOJ investigation:
http://www.femainfo.us
Check out the testimony at the congressional hearing at the following website:
http://www.femainfo.us/legislative_actions_congressional_hearing_041405.shtml
This website is also very informative:
http://www.catadjuster.org/forum/m_899/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm#899
My family lost our home and all of our belongings in a so called NO NAME storm June 23,2003. We were fully insured by the NFIP {what a joke} and sit here a week shy of 2 years living with our 2 year old in less than substanderd conditions! Of all we lost I miss most the person I use to be. I use to love, and now I am full of rage and anger, I use to trust, and now I do not. I use to give and now I say why give to those that do not help themselves that’s the governments job! I use to be proud to be an American and now I am ashamed! I would like to invite anyone that does not understand the HELL that my family has endured and continues to due to the fraud commited by the NFIP to come and live in our shoes for a weekend! It will be a wonderful holiday vacation in 90 degee weather without air conditioning.
I cleaned homes, cut grass, did a newspaper job, drove a school bus for extra money when we were poor. I finally went to college on Pell grants and scholarships and earned a BS. My husband did the same. We buy a house get flood insurance and thought that was it. We lose almost everything over night and are told by flood insurance we are over insured. We get a SBA loan and start over. Were we at fault? What did we do wrong? Please check out femainfo.us for other information.
I noticed that the nay sayers stopped talking when we started posting. What’s the matter boys Truth hurt?
Insurers-Agents-Brokers can sell homeowners replacement (Reconstruction) cost valued policies, while at the same time, insurance adjusters are incorrectly estimating (hurricane, flood, hail, fire, earthquake, windstorm, etc.) claims with NEW construction cost values…a common difference of 35-50% of the base dollar value of the loss.
http://www.femainfo.us/Links/041405sk.pdf
http://www.femainfo.us
Other claim settlement values being left out (undisclosed), that have been pre-paid for in a homeowners monthly premium payment, is primary-general-sub contractor overhead and profit values.
Whether a contractor is used of not, a claims loss value has common 20-49% overhead and profit value. Sub-total line values on an insurer’s-adjuster’s “estimate” should openly show, or be able to prove, those inherent claim loss values. Many times they do not, to the ignorance-detriment of the policyholder.
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/commish/bulletins/b-0045-8.html
Please, report underpayment schemes to local and extended law enforcement and governmental agencies.
We also track suspected insurer fraud, so feel free to contact us at–therdp5@yahoo.com or rogerpoe@acnet.net
Roger Poe
We have been slapped around plenty down here in Florida. I do feel your pain.
I am with you guys when it comes to the big Insurance companies…it seems logical that those companies would be less giving…but the little 3rd party WYO guys get paid by percentage of claims/commissions and would rather the claim be large than small (I am 99.9% sure of that).
I have a relative that is in the \”Catastrophic\” claims business and they spend a rediculous amount of time away from their families, friends, and natural surroundings trying to help folks with the overflow of claims.
I could see being mad at the policy writers and enforcers but not the helping hands.
I am a GC in South Florida and a Public Adjuster. I am having a serious issue with Insurance carriers and FIGA starting the practce of NOT paying contractors overhead and profit to my clients even with a signed contract on roofing, fencing, and carpet. So if I follow that line of thinking, the isurance industry not only insists a contractor be hired to do the repairs, but he is supposed to schedule, oversee, be responsible for all the work and at the end of the year, his General liability insurance carrier can audit him and charge him for the roof he made no money on. In short, do the work and kick in some money of your own for our insured. FIGA said they have a lawyers opinion that states that they do not have to pay O&P on these items no matter what. But also refuse to produce the document that says so. So I ask anyone and everyone who can read this or is experiencing the same insane arguement, to research any and all rules, guidelines or directives to disallow or disprove this fictitious rule they are using. As a General contractor, I still expect to be paid the overhead and profit for ALL repairs I am responsible for. The insured should therefore be entitled to be reimbursed for them once incurred. End of Story. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated to stop this unfair trade practice.
Tad Balzar –
EM me at rogerpoegc@gmail.com for information regarding criminal conduct by insurers and adjusters against construction business contractors.
Promoting fraudulent insurance loss claim value schemes, public deception, anti-competitive behavior, economic restriction of trade and theft of premiums by omission of true base loss values is a serious matter for smug and corrupt “adjusters”, who enjoy life outside of prison, to be toying with.
Good adjusters will not play with your reputation and living.
Bad adjusters, supported by corrupt management, hurt children, parents, neighbors, and themselves, in the name of money, greed, and ego.
Too bad for them…
My late wife & I live on a little island called Hoopers Island in the state of Maryland.
Hurricane Isabel came through and devastated our area.
Our house was left standing and we thought fixable.
A few months after the hurricane and $15,000.00 later the state inspector came through and told us we had to tear it down and build new.
He said the house could not be elevated without tearing it apart to meet new state guidelines.
To make a long story short the reason I am contacting you is to see if you might be able to steer me in the right direction.
My wife and I were moved out of our old house by FEMA and told we had to live in a trailer they brought down to us.
They were worried about the mold in our old house.
We lived in the trailer until November 2005 when we moved into our new home, (about 2 years).
My wife had become ill living in the FEMA trailer and woke up one morning in 2005 slurring her words and not being able to think straight.
I thought she had suffered a stroke.
I took her to the emergency room where they sent her to Georgetown University.
The prognosis was she had developed 7 brain tumors & lung cancer.
She was a non smoker.
We had told FEMA several times that the chemical smells in the trailer would give us headaches, burning eyes, & chest pains, but they told us it was because it was new & the smell would go away. They even sent down inspectors several times to test the air & told us everything was fine.
I met my wife when I was 15 years old and we married when I turned 17.
We spent our entire adult life together.
My wife died June 21, 2006 at the age of 54.
I have spent the last 2 1/2 years trying to control the grief that comes when your whole life is torn out from under you.
I have reached a point where my grief is turning to rage and I would like to see someone pay for killing my wife, but am being told I only had 2 years to file a form 95 claim after she died. Now I have some of the same symptoms my wife showed before she became very ill. I’m afraid this is going to kill us both before justice is done.
This can’t be right. No one ever told me I had only 2 years to file anything after she passed.
I did not think there was a statute of limitations on murder and that’s all this is, legal murder.
With FEMA knowing the formaldehyde was so deadly, why did they just sit by and let people die? I have been in the US Army most of my adult life & am very proud of it. I have seen 3rd world countries that would not treat their people like FEMA treated us.
Can you guide me in the right direction or maybe to someone I can talk with about this?
The government knew the formaldehyde was killing people and did nothing about it.
There’s no way they should be able to get off scot free.
I am so sorry, my family has been torn apart from all of this. Our lives are upside down still, and there is no path forward for us, except bankruptcy. The lung disease I contracted in the FEMA trailer, led me to be disabled, and I have not disability insurance. I wish I could tell you there was a lawyer who could help us, but there is not. I am truly sorry for you and your wife. My husband will be in your shoes before too long, hopefully he can connect with someone like you to help him get through all of this.
still waiting 5 months since sandy travelers insurance sucks
My house was flooded from Sandy 10-29-2012, Colonial Claims has dragged out covering the claim for 7 months so far. They did a terrible job starting with the adjuster down to supervisors. It looks like they are doing the same thing with Sandy as with Isable. What will it take to get them to send the necessary funds to get home repaired?? If the policy is being paid for why is it so hard to get the service from any insurance company. I have been with my insurance company for 30 plus years and have never had one minutes problem with them. The difference is I guess is the Federal government put themselves at the top and made rules. They need to keep out of the insurance business much less concern themselves with making a profit off the backs of those hit with flooding, etc. Lord only knows what the poor people are going to have to go through out in Oka. What will it take to make this stop?
dont mean to bring this from the deat, but , Um, the government is losing money being in the insurance business. there would be no flood insurance without the government.