Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Bad News Bear

"Nay" Bear

[LINK] Here's the story of a 91 year old woman and State Farm policy holder whose roof collapsed during Hurricane Katrina. Her claim was denied because they claimed that her damage was due to flooding and not wind. Definitely not an isolated case by any means, there are hundreds of stories like this one, but the real corker in this case was that the insurance company sent over a small teddy bear like this one, saying it would be comforting to "hug the little fellow" in her time of need.
"We try to manage in a way that is thoughtful and considerate, and I apologize if the customer took it somehow in some other way," he said.
According to this collector's page, the bear is worth $11.99.

9 comments:

Michael Bains said...

That is utterly reprehensible...

And they're my Insurer too! (&@3ers...

Blueberry said...

They are ours too.

Disgusted with them, but not sure if the other companies are any better.

Who has the some of the biggest fanciest buildings in town? The insurance companies.

beepbeepitsme said...

I would have turned that bear into a "voodoo bear" quick smart.

It is the same here. Insurance companies are always looking for a reason NOT to pay up. It is based on "risk assessment" - if they can infer that the damage was caused by flood, mostly they don't have to pay up as most insurance companies will not even cover flooding in their premiums.

If the roof comes off, and the house is flooded - due to storm (and insurance company pays out.)

If the roof doesn't come off and the house is flooded - storm insurance will not cover flooding (and the insurance company will NOT pay out.)

The rule of thumb is - make sure large windows are smashed, or that a bit of the roof comes off.

Nava said...

What jerks!!

At such times, you find yourself wishing those people to be in need themselves, and stand in the shoes of the ones they hurt.

I like the Voodoo bear idea.

Me said...

This is as reprehensible as that insane McCain's thing of sending cardboard cutouts of men and women to the children of U.S. soldiers deployed to Iraq. The cutouts provide comfort, see?

Undeniable Liberal said...

So is the bear supposed to replace the roof that was damaged by a flood?
That hurts my brain. Instead of hugging the bear, I would find an insurance agent stick Mr Good Neigh Bear where the sun doesn't shine.

Blueberry said...

UL: Would you leave the sticker on that's attached to the ear? heh heh...

Hill: Yeah, this is insensitive in the same way, I think. McCain, of all people, should have the sense to know better. What a slap for not only the soldiers but for their families.

Mando Mama said...

As I so often find myself saying, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?!

Unfortunately it's nearly impossible to shame people into coming to their senses, particularly when they have none.

:-<

Mando Mama said...
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