| Author | Thread |
|
|
04/20/2007 07:05:46 PM · #1 |
Last night while I was asleep, someone broke into my jeep. They stoled my radio, 23 CDs and my toolbox full of chef tools. My camera equipment was not in the car.
I filed a police report. Then I called my insurance company. All of the items except the radio are covered under my homeowners policy. I have a $500 deductable. Sounds like time to make a claim?
Not so fast. The insurance company would cut me a check for about $1000. As this is the first claim I have ever made, my insurance would go up 10%. The second claim I make, the insurance would rise 70%. If I ever have to make a third claim, its very difficult to even get homeowners insurance.
It might have been worth it if I had to claim my camera equipment, but unfortunately the loss was not THAT big. I am not sure how I will replace $800 worth of chef tools, but I will have to find a way.
~~~ sob ~~~~ |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 07:07:42 PM · #2 |
| insurance companies suck! |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 07:10:11 PM · #3 |
Id say that sucks assuming its anything but a jeep wrangler. If its a wrangler i would advise you to not leave anything in it at all ever anywhere. Otherwise someone put a little bit of effort into it. Anytime i see a wrangler even in full hardtop I laugh at how easy it is to get into them and older models are easy to steal unfortunately.
Well good luck with the tools sounds like you need them and as far as the cameras go.
Originally posted by briantammy:
insurance companies suck! |
Homeowners insurance covers a vast range but is only worth it for major damage that threatens your ability to have a home and or protect whats left inside.
500-1000 dollar claims which if people did would actually happen so often they would drain funds quicker then a single neighborhood having trees fall on it.
Message edited by author 2007-04-20 19:12:29. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 07:14:44 PM · #4 |
| Unfortunately, it is a Wrangler. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 07:18:20 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by BAMartin:
Unfortunately, it is a Wrangler. |
Eeek, yeah its easy to break into especially if your using a soft top. Well they definitely weren't car thieves you could strip one in 30 minutes. Depending on year steal it pretty quick. Pre 90 60 seconds, im not sure what years they started putting antitheft measures in.
Chrysler should have stated putting transponder keys in the current models.
Well I guess thank god you still have your vehicle, and all the vital parts that go with it.
Message edited by author 2007-04-20 19:19:44. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 07:28:34 PM · #6 |
Oh BamBam, So sorry to hear this. Maybe your photo sales will increase.
|
|
|
|
04/20/2007 07:42:49 PM · #7 |
There are a lot of cars that are extremely easy to break into. A screwdriver and a little pressure can pop open the door locks on many of the best selling car models. Others can be opened with a well placed Fonzy hit.
Due to my ineptness with keys I've determined that with a flat piece of metal (a butter knife, a screwdriver, or similar) I can be inside my car in less than 20 seconds with no damage or outward signs I've done it.
The car makers have really dropped the ball and we pay for it as you're finding out with higher insurance rates. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 07:53:35 PM · #8 |
I think you are making the correct call by not claiming this on your insurance company.
Unfortunately, it alsmost has to be a catastrophe before you can justify making a claim. Sad, but that is just the way it is today.
I wish you the best.
|
|
|
|
04/20/2007 08:00:19 PM · #9 |
So I'm assuming the 10% and 70% come from the company spokesman. We need a bit more information to make a good decision.
How much is your annual premium? In other words, if you are going to get $1000 out of this how many years does it take to repay that at a 10% increase to your premium.
I think you are falling right into the insurance company's scheme. Not only are you paying the premiums, but you aren't using it when you actually have a claim. How great is that for them? If your premiums are seriously going up 10% on one claim no matter the payout, I think it's time you go shopping for homeowners insurance.
Over the years I have made I believe three (and maybe four) claims on my home owners or renters insurance (2 stolen bikes and a broken camera). Not once has my premium gone up, although I did get a "warning" letter when my two bikes were stolen in rapid succession (within a few months). Seems like your company is pretty lame to me. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 08:02:37 PM · #10 |
Dr Achoo i think the decision was made not to. Its not worth it for anything less then a car running through the front door.
And yeah some "affordable" insurance companies suck. Especially medical.
Message edited by author 2007-04-20 20:03:14. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 08:12:16 PM · #11 |
| Good points. It does matter if you are using it as catastrophic insurance or not. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 08:21:21 PM · #12 |
My car was broken into and my stereo stolen. There was no other damage the car at all. No broken window and nothing else stolen. I called my insurance company and they barely asked me anything. They didn't even question how the thief got in without breaking a window.
The insurance company hooked me up with a stereo shop in Portland and had a guy call me to help me replace my stereo which was no longer being made. Over 5 years ago when I bought the stereo it was almost $200. They could have gotten me a $100 piece of crap to replace it, but they didn't. The guy hooked me up with a stereo that was almost $400 and threw in an iPod cable which should have been close to $50-$100 itself. I paid $100 for installation which counted as me paying my deductable. My rates haven't gone up.
So essentially I paid $100 for a damn nice deck and an iPod cable. I still thank my thief every day and pray he doesn't come back for another 5 years. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 08:39:47 PM · #13 |
I worked as IT Manager for an insurance company for the worst year of my life! I finally woke up & quit, even thought they offered me raises to stay.
Insurance is a scam.
I'll never forget how the CEO began every meeting screaming, "WE'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF MAKING MONEY, NOT GIVING IT AWAY!"
|
|
|
|
04/20/2007 08:43:47 PM · #14 |
Well, I was just going to ask for the help of ONE HONEST insurance salesman. Looks like we just heard from one.
|
|
|
|
04/20/2007 08:45:19 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
I worked as IT Manager for an insurance company for the worst year of my life! I finally woke up & quit, even thought they offered me raises to stay.
Insurance is a scam.
I'll never forget how the CEO began every meeting screaming, "WE'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF MAKING MONEY, NOT GIVING IT AWAY!" |
So what do you recommend I do? |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 08:48:27 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
I worked as IT Manager for an insurance company for the worst year of my life! I finally woke up & quit, even thought they offered me raises to stay.
Insurance is a scam.
I'll never forget how the CEO began every meeting screaming, "WE'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF MAKING MONEY, NOT GIVING IT AWAY!" |
True to a certain extent. But i could cite atleast 2 people in my life that wouldnt be alive without medical insurance... or just in serious debt for the rest of their workable lives.
Car Insurance.... required, Homeowners not but depending on where you live.... (idiots in florida) you might need it.
Not to mention child birth is 7,000 dollars without insurance and only includes delivery.
Message edited by author 2007-04-20 20:49:14. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 08:49:42 PM · #17 |
Homeowners is required as well, if you have a mortgage.
|
|
|
|
04/20/2007 09:42:41 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by BAMartin:
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
I worked as IT Manager for an insurance company for the worst year of my life! I finally woke up & quit, even thought they offered me raises to stay.
Insurance is a scam.
I'll never forget how the CEO began every meeting screaming, "WE'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF MAKING MONEY, NOT GIVING IT AWAY!" |
So what do you recommend I do? |
I'd make the claim, get the money, then when your premiums increase, go insurance shopping. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 09:48:44 PM · #19 |
The deductable is 500 dollars the important bulk of what was stolen was the cooking tools. Which is 800 dollars. You could add in the stereo but in a jeep a 99 dollar sony xplode head unit sounds the same as a 199 dollar sony xplode head unit. Not sure what you had in there but wind noise kills the difference.
If you lived in maryland id give you my sony xplode and install it for you i have two of them. That and i no longer drive cars.
The CD's were probly worth more then the replacement of the head unit.
Message edited by author 2007-04-20 21:53:02. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 09:52:35 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I'd make the claim, get the money, then when your premiums increase, go insurance shopping. |
Exactly. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 10:07:46 PM · #21 |
~Terry
Message edited by author 2007-04-20 22:08:13.
|
|
|
|
04/20/2007 10:08:40 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I'd make the claim, get the money, then when your premiums increase, go insurance shopping. |
Except I think your claim history follows you :(
~Terry
|
|
|
|
04/20/2007 10:26:13 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by ClubJuggle:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I'd make the claim, get the money, then when your premiums increase, go insurance shopping. |
Except I think your claim history follows you :(
~Terry |
I'm sure it might, but the the better insurance companies won't screw you over a relatively small claim. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 10:38:45 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I'm sure it might, but the the better insurance companies won't screw you over a relatively small claim. |
Really, can you enlighten us? BTW I live near the coast. |
|
|
|
04/20/2007 10:42:14 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by briantammy:
insurance companies suck! |
YES THEY DO!!!
Also note, making a claim on your homeowners insurance shows up when you try to sell your house and can make it hard for the buyer to get insurance, which can cause them to drop out of the contract on the sale at the last minute.
|
|
