[StBernard] Contents Insurance

[Westley Annis]

Westley,
 
Good points.  Remember that contents covered by homeowners could also be
content damaged below the water line because of the wind damage before the
water came in.
 
Thanks,
Craig 
 
-----Original Message-----
I've been hearing some stories about adjustors trying to limit contents
coverage, especially for those who had both homeowners and flood insurance,
yet didn't have the 8-9 feet of water.

Basically, the adjustors, and these are usually the homeowners adjustors,
are claiming that if you had $20,000 contents coverage on flood and $20,000
contents coverage on homeowners, the most you will get for contents is
$20,000 combined and not $40,000.  If you are told this, you need to fight
it, but fight it within the proper guidelines.

1) Remember that you paid two separate premiums for two different policies
and each should be treated separately.

2) Flood will only cover contents that are at or below the water line.
Conversely, homeowners will only cover contents that are above the water
line.

3) You cannot claim anything on both policies.  It can only go on one
policy.

4) Draw up two separate contents list, one for each policy and be sure there
is no duplication of items on it.

Samples:

Flood insurance would cover most of your furniture, major appliances, and
possibly some of your small appliances.

Homeowners would cover clothes that hung higher than the water line, small
appliances that were in cabinets above the water line, working items that
were in your attic, ceiling fans and light fixtures that were damaged.

You may not be able to reach the maximum on your homeowners content
coverage, but if they owe you $5.00 then you be sure they pay you that
$5.00.  If you let them go on this, this will do it again to you and
everyone else.

Remember, I am not and do not claim to be an attorney or insurance
professional, but this is just plain common sense to me.  And I do know,
that most court rooms, the judge will rule in the favor of what an average
citizen can be expected to understand, and I think I've stated it so that
even my four-year old can understand it.

Westley