FLOOD UPDATE: We have power but no gas, so no heat, stove or hot water. Basement has been pumped out – total disaster. Called State Farm agent this am, only to be told that I don’t have the sewer backup endorsement! They are the professionals about this stuff, not us! Said that I tried to add it in 2002 (obviously I was on top of it then), only to BE DECLINED! Yeah, State Farm? My entire neighborhood has insurance that is working (as I type) to demolish & repair or replace the homes, and State Farm thinks my home is any different from those? DH wants to hire an atty, but I said to wait back to see what response we get from State Farm, since they don’t have any more info about this 2002 declination for sewer backups. The fact that FEMA is coming out here in a couple of days for interviews – which usually means lots of media coverage – should help move things along. I’ve been known to be slightly vocal upon occasion…
deranged.me
The Dark Side of Couponing
Its such a nightmare when that happens. We ended up with 2in of water throughout our basement as well. Lost a few things from my stockpile (that were still in bags and not up on shelves 🙁 I had just ordered more shelves from Amazon and they arrived 2 days before the flood but I didn’t have the time to put them together yet.
In answer to your “situation” with State Farm…I was actually a specialist with them before staying home with my daughter and I can tell you that “backup of sewer and drain” is the most common claim there is and thats why its expensive, but unfortunately MOST people don’t want to add it to their Home Owners Insurance because its expensive. And for those of us who are thrifty couponers its easy to see it as a way to save money. There is not an insurance company out there that includes flood coverage with normal home owners insurance, it is ALWAYS a separate policy or an endorsement. If you were declined in 2002 your agent should have notated your file to contact you in 3 years to see if you wanted to add it. Typically you are declined if you are A) in a flood plain (in which case you can only get flood coverage from FEMA) or B) if you have had a previous claim with another company for water damage and haven’t taken steps to prevent the problem from happening again in the future. Either way, it sounds like your agent dropped in the ball in following up. I made sure I called all clients once a year to review their coverage and make sure they knew about the BUSD (Back Up of Sewer and Drain) option.
State Farm declared the entire state of Illinois to be a Catastrophe so they have a TON of people working on this (my husband is an Agent, so I’m still “in the know”), but I’m so sorry its been such a headache. Feel free to email me if I can help explain anything further. Sometimes navigating these issues can be tricky.
OMG Goddess!!! I am so sorry! And yes, stay after them. Our company tried to deny a clain on a pool cover we had. Said it wasn’t covered, yada yada. I went to the President of the company with a concise and clear email and had another set of people out here the following day. I think denial is first and then the sqeaking wheel gets the oil. Squeak!!!!
If squeaking fails to produce results – I am sure you can be more than slightly vocal too! Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Please let your loyal followers know if there is anything we can do for you.
Hey Deranged — you can come up north a bit to Wilmette and stay with me — we didn’t have a drop of water in our house (not sure why — I guess the gods were smiling on me that day?!) Scattered around us though is the same proof of curbside water-logged goodies. I guess we just got lucky — bought the house and year ago and believed the sellers that there was never any water in the basement and (shock of all shocks) they were telling the truth! Let me know if you need a place to hang your hat — seriously!