Attorney and Mother of two shares her nightmare...
Karen Reimus' San Diego house was obliterated by the 2003 wildfires, leaving nothing recognizable except a charred jogging stroller and her daughter's burned bicycle
Yet Her insured insisted that she catalog each of her family's destroyed personal items - down to the smallest item - if she wanted to be reimbursed. "When insurance companies are selling peace of mind the way the do in their advertisements nobody has any inkling of the hoops you are going to have to jump through," said Reimus, a 39-year-old lawyer and mother of two.
She reached a settlement with her insured after months of wrangling.
Article Dated: February 27, 2006
Los Angeles Times
Written By: Jordan Rau - Times staff Writer
Don't let this happen to your Family.
Former California Insurance Commissioner Speaks out....
Creating a home inventory can be a time-consuming project, but the results might prove invaluable in the event your home or it' contents are destroyed. "It's essential that you document all of your possessions before disaster strikes, "said John Garamendi, California's Insurance Commissioner, this past fall, when he teamed up with Thomas V. McKeman Jr. the Auto Club's President and CEO, to inform the public about the importance of conducting a home inventory. "In the event of a tragedy or other loss, you'll be asked to provide your insurance company with copies of bills, receipts, or other documentation to support your claims," Garamendi added. "Dealing with a disaster at home can be a tremendously stressful time, and relying solely on your memory is a mistake you will want to avoid." - D.P.
Article Titled: Before It's Too Late
Dated: January/ February 2005
By: Danielle Pedersen