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Started 1 year ago by TaraK
Latest reply from Tenzo

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TaraK
probably at the coffee shop
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So yesterday we were robbed, and it turns out the experience isn't as terrifying and awful as I'd always imagined. It sucked and they got a few thousand dollars worth of shit (the usual: electronics, jewelry, etc.) and took most of our door/door frame in the process, but overall, I don't feel entirely traumatized. It was random, fast, and impersonal. It looks like they hit a few other places in German Village.

So now, I have a few questions:

1) Who has had experience with renter's insurance claims in burglaries? What was your turnaround time on payment? FYI, I have State Farm.

2) Adjustors: are they really going to stick it to me with depreciation values? Ex: a 2-year old television that was pretty expensive, a Macbook?

3) Overall, how frustrating is this claim process going to be?

Any other tips, insight? There are some things I want to replace right away, primarily the expensive electronics we use daily, and some that I can wait for reimbursement cost on (jewelry).

Also, criminals suck. Why did you take all the remotes? ALL OF THEM? Why did you take the my makeup? That was low.

Posted 1 year ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
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Sorry to hear about this unfortunate event, TaraK. I experienced the same a few months ago, although as a home owner and the robbers were caught and I didn't have anything unrecovered outside of an old iPhone and then broken or damaged things. I, like you, don't feel horrible about it as it was a random event and the criminals weren't from my neighborhood.

1. I understand State Farm is excellent insurance. I had State Auto and I think it was about eight weeks to finally get the check. Which really pissed me off.

2. I was paid "Actual Cash Value" on the things I lost. Ex: my 2007 Panasonic 42" 720P Plasma that was broken, obviously you can get those cheap as hell these days. I think they paid me around $480 for ACV and depreciation, BUT you get the difference back when you buy a new tv if you show them the receipt. I should get another $400 when I show them the receipt for the new tv I bought (which reminds me I need to do that.) The iPhone they gave me a full $500 though. I hope this makes sense, ACV minus Depreciation until you buy "like kind or better" replacement and prove it. I don't know if all insurance is like this.

3. The claim process was a huge pain in the dick IMO. My adjuster would take days to call me back when I'd have questions, their process was inefficient, etc. I am very content with the amount I received for my loss and damages, but the process itself again was very aggravating to me.

The animals that robbed me were too stupid to take remotes, which is why if you've ever been to a pawn shop that none of the tv's come with them. Sounds like you had some "smarter" criminals. I hope you didn't loose any expensive jewelry that wasn't specifically insured bc I think most insurance only covers $1000 jewelry.

Good luck, let me know if I can help.

Posted 1 year ago #
labi
Weinland Park
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Really sorry to hear this, TaraK. I haven't (knock wood) experienced home burglary, but I had renter's insurance for years. I know that I had to have a jewelry rider for the one individual item I had that was worth more than $1,000.

They took your makeup? Chrissakes, that really is low. Do they really have someone lined up to buy USED makeup?

Posted 1 year ago #
Displaced Columbusite

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You want to check your policy to see if you have "actual cash value" or "replacement cost" the monthly premium you would have paid for replacement cost would have been higher, but in a circumstance like this you get paid for what it actually costs you to replace the item (i.e., the cost of a new television) if you have actual cash value they will pay what they think the item that was actually stolen was worth. So moral of the story check your policy (I always pay the extra premium and get replacement cost). Hope that helps, I can't speak on how long it takes to get paid b/c fortunately I have never had to file a claim.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeliberty
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I've only had insurance claims on cars, but state farm and american family insurance were both fast and easy to deal with. the process goes much better for you if you keep receipts and can show them the value of what you lost. You do want to make sure you have replacement cost when insuring your stuff, it doesn't cost that much more and you will have to show receipts of the purchase when insuring(we did). You will want to do this with big ticket items that couldn't easily affordably be replaced.

at least with one of my cars the shop didn't fix everything damaged and I worked with the claims guy to make sure it was covered to get everything fixed that should have been. and of course the money you get is minus your deductible.

Expect to get home alarm offers in the mail.

how did they get in?

Posted 1 year ago #
philipstorer

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Just be glad that you do not have Nationwide. My house was broken into a few weeks after purchasing it. Nationwide decided to add insult to injury by dropping my coverage. Nice...

Posted 1 year ago #
Tenzo
Chicago Lakeshore
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I had Allstate (a Chicago firm which is where I lived at the time).

They actually broke into my storage area in the basement.

Number one thing is that you list all the possibilities on the police crime report. (yeah, I know, barn door after the horse left. but others may be reading this.)

I called Allstate and went in to talk to someone. Sat at her desk in a big big room with lots of desks and no cubicles. I took in a list of what I had lost and a copy of the police report and the agent went over it. $500 skis, three years depreciation $120, $150 mitre saw, $40, etc. etc.

She did not volunteer that my replacement value insurance would cover the replacement costs. After thinking I was screwed I brought up the replacement value saying there was no way it would be that cheap if I bought it. At that point she conceded that if I did buy new, they would reimburse me.

BIG DIFFERENCE!

So I went out and bought all the stuff I had reported as lost. I was Very careful to ask about returns and kept all my receipts. Then I submitted a copy of all the receipts and an itemized list.

I got a call and there were virtually no questions. She did mention that perhaps I did not have to get a pair of $300 Oakly ski glasses as a replacement (ooops, got carried away). But the rest seemed reasonable to her so she let it go. Or more likely quibbling was not worth her time for such a small claim.

The check came within two weeks.

Now the next bit might be fraud, so I would suggest that you not tell anyone. Plus this is Just an EXAMPLE.

Many items I might not have immediate use for. Maybe I didn't need to go skiing and would buy skis in the future if I needed them (or not). Unwrapped items with the receipts are very easy to return for cash / credit card credit.

Posted 1 year ago #
Tenzo
Chicago Lakeshore
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oh, and yes, they will be increasing your premiums.

I live at Columbus and City Park and have cameras covering the doors. Did anyone get a description that I might be able to shuffle through and look for?

Hausefrau Haven had an attempted buglery last week and has pictures posted in their windows.

Posted 1 year ago #
TaraK
probably at the coffee shop
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lifeliberty wrote >>
how did they get in?

Well, they wanted a challenge. Rather than use the kitchen door (covered by a fence AND porch, off the road, 1/2 glass that could be easily punched through) they decided to go through the front door (intersection of two roads, broad daylight around 10 a.m., solid door). They did so by kicking the holy shit out of it until they broke not only the door, but also the door frame and the surrounding drywall. It looked like the Hulk came through the door. I don't think they ever even walked around the house to peek in windows or anything.

Upside: They left prints on the door that the tech took & there's a neighboring camera that most likely caught them loading my stuff into their car.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeliberty
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Are you upgrading to a steel frame? do they even have steel frames that would pass GV code?

Posted 1 year ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
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I would imagine as a renter it's up to the landlord as to how to replace.

Posted 1 year ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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Are you kitties all OK? That's honestly my biggest concern about being burgled - all my various animals making a break for it through the open door/window.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeliberty
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Twixlen wrote >>
Are you kitties all OK? That's honestly my biggest concern about being burgled - all my various animals making a break for it through the open door/window.

exactly! or them being hurt and/or abused in some fashion in the process.

good catch snarf, wasn't thinking of that.

Posted 1 year ago #
TaraK
probably at the coffee shop
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Twixlen wrote >>
Are you kitties all OK? That's honestly my biggest concern about being burgled - all my various animals making a break for it through the open door/window.

That was my fear, too. The door was left busted open and I assumed my feral hell-cat would be long gone, but he was just curiously scoping things out. Our wussy, loving cat was under the bed terrified most of the afternoon, but he's fine now. Turns out that if someone violently kicks in the door and half the wall, my cats will flee.

Posted 1 year ago #
CharlieMike
columbus
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Sorry to hear about the break-in. What an inconvenience! I use one of these door security bars on my front door. You can get them at Lowes pretty cheap. It wouldn't keep out someone who really wanted to get in, but it would give them a little more hassle and take them a little more time to get in. Plus, if you're home at the time, it'll give you a little more time to grab a firearm or dial 911. Good luck with the insurance claim.

Posted 1 year ago #
rus

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CharlieMike wrote >>
Sorry to hear about the break-in. What an inconvenience! I use one of these door security bars on my front door. You can get them at Lowes pretty cheap. It wouldn't keep out someone who really wanted to get in, but it would give them a little more hassle and take them a little more time to get in. Plus, if you're home at the time, it'll give you a little more time to grab a firearm or dial 911. Good luck with the insurance claim.

Seconded.

Sounds like in this break in the animals weren't too concerned about checking to see if people were home...

Posted 1 year ago #
Porky
C-Bus' East Side
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Man why can't that be the case when I'm home, say cleaning the .45 and there is a clamour at the door... why who can that be?

Posted 1 year ago #
TaraK
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Based on how the door frame was more or less kicked out despite having been installed well, I'm pretty confident that a door jamb (used to have one) wouldn't have done much.

There were several other break-ins in the area yesterday and continuing this morning. We're hearing a lot of rumors from around the neighborhood, but I'm not sure what's true. Supposedly a couple of witnesses say that it's two girls and a guy, which would explain why they took ALL of my half-used makeup and cheap jewelry.

Posted 1 year ago #
Bubbletoes
German Village
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Ugh, TaraK, this hits a little too close to home for me. I'm also in GV and in a location that is a bit on the edge - we've had cars broken into but no home burglary. I'm sorry this happened to you. Do you have any information on the other breakins in the area?

Question for everyone who's ever had to file a claim - did you have receipts or other documentation for everything? Or did you just tell them, yeah I had a thousand-dollar TV, $500 skis, etc and they take you at your word?

Posted 1 year ago #
TaraK
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Bubbletoes wrote >>
Ugh, TaraK, this hits a little too close to home for me. I'm also in GV and in a location that is a bit on the edge - we've had cars broken into but no home burglary. I'm sorry this happened to you. Do you have any information on the other breakins in the area?
Question for everyone who's ever had to file a claim - did you have receipts or other documentation for everything? Or did you just tell them, yeah I had a thousand-dollar TV, $500 skis, etc and they take you at your word?

If you look at the police log, there have been around 13 or so that look like they're the same people in the GV, Schumacher, Merion area. In most cases, if someone was home & caught them they ran out (in other words, non-violent). Keep your blinds closed, as it seems they're going for goods they can see, whether through a door or window. If you can spread the word, they seem to be on foot and probably live nearby. Some folks were spotted (group of three: two girls, one guy) carrying a flat screen, but I don't know if the police caught them.

Posted 1 year ago #