Burglary, insurance update

**nuisance26** · 05-13-2011, 08:40 AM

~My insurance company handled our claim within 24 hours but I'm confused as to how we actually get reimbursed. The baby was crying while I was on the phone with the rep so I need to call back and try to understand.
The value of our items,they said, was $1666 minus depreciation of $549 and our deductible of $500. So the payout is $617.
Now I looked up used prices on Ebay and we can replace everything except the laptop with that amount so I'm happy about that. Apparently we're better bargain shoppers than their list.
But some things the rep said confused me. Like he droned on(and he really did drone) about being able to replace things cheaper or more expensive than they estimated and that I'd get such and such of the difference back. Something about submitting receipts to show that we replaced the exact items. And then at the end he said we're mailing out your check.
I'm totally confused.
Gotta call today when the baby naps. Especially need to know if purchases on Ebay and purchases from a private sale are ok. DH's co-worker wants to sell us their Wii.

~

**Spirit Deer** · 05-13-2011, 10:54 AM

To get their amount that you're covered for, you shouldn't have to actually replace anything. You suffered the loss. If you choose to take the money and not replace anything, that's up to you.

Something doesn't make sense to me either. Good luck getting it all cleared up. It does sound like they're providing you with good, quick service, always a big plus.

BTW, I've read people sometimes get hit again after a burglary, because burglars realize people go out and buy new stuff, so they come back for the new stuff. Not trying to scare you but if you know how they got in, maybe add better locks or something.

**MaryCarney** · 05-13-2011, 11:03 AM

I know what you mean about the guy droning on - when my car was totalled a couple months ago, I thought the insurance adjustor would NEVER shut up

I will say I got great service and was happy with the settlement.
Hope yours goes as smoothly and that you NEVER have to do this again.

**scrap_candles** · 05-13-2011, 12:15 PM

we had a power surge last fall and lost our stove, refrigerator and washer due to it. The insurance company sent me a check for the amount due after depreciation, etc, but after I purchased all the items and took them receipts they were able to give me another $300 because of how the insurance works and the fact that we did indeed replace it all. So I think that you will get the check for what he said but after buying everything and taking in receipts you may get a little more back. Not sure how it will work if you purchase from ebay though. May depend on if the items were new or used.

I would rather deal with insurance about that though then a totaled car. That was a pain in the butt.

Regardless, I'm very sorry to hear about your house, that has to be terrible.

**nuisance26** · 05-13-2011, 02:43 PM

~Oh. my. goodness.

My agent must be the loneliest person on the planet. He took 30 minutes to answer my few questions. Actually he took 5 minutes to answer my questions and then 25 minutes to talk about his other clients including the one who was pistol whipped(well thanks so much, exactly what I wanted to hear!

), how he was robbed twice as a kid, how a bully terrorized his brother with messages on his bedroom walls and switch-blade fights at school, police stake-outs at his house, how awesome his mom was, what he said at his mother's funeral, his teen-aged sports schedule, what chores he had to do as a kid, what chores he has to do as an adult, his marital finances and more.

If only I was making this up. I had to keep suppressing laughter as he effortlessly droned into entirely new subjects. How do you hang up on someone who is telling you about their dead mother?

Anyway, I am getting a check for $617. I think it works like, new item =$100, depreciated item(which is in my check)=$80. If I buy the replacement at $100 and give them the receipt to show that I bought the same item they will send the additional $20 difference. It doesn't have to be new to get the $20 depreciation difference. If I spend less I needn't send receipts and I get to keep the difference as a bonus for being frugal.~

**MaryCarney** · 05-13-2011, 06:52 PM

Holy cow! His dead mother?
Mine was just trying to somehow explain the entire insurance industry to me in one phone call - while I was driving..........

**shoiji** · 05-14-2011, 06:15 PM

I know someone who was burglarized and reburglarized after repurchasing the items. So I would suggest you do not leave any boxes outside your house when you receive them. Take them to a dumpster.

What they did do was purchase a device that would sound like a dog barking if someone tried to break in. Seemed to work. If you can find some alarm system signs post them. No one knows if you really have a system or not.

**Libby** · 05-14-2011, 10:38 PM

Congrats I guess on speedy service from the insurance? I agree with the other suggestions here: new locks, different/stronger locks, alarm system signs. But what about timers for radio/lights so when you are away it seems like someone's home (hence the radio for day time) and what about getting to know your neighbours better? Start a neighbourhood watch thing with the few closest houses so they know who belongs and who doesn't?

**Daisygirl** · 05-14-2011, 10:43 PM

I had a large insurance claim a couple of years ago. The thing about the reciepts is this: the company will reimburse you for the amount that they offer - in your case $617... However if you are for some reason unhappy with this, you can purchase the replacement items in advance and then send in your reciepts for reimbursement.

The way most of us shop here, you will definitely do better to take the money and run!

I'm glad your insurance company took care of things quickly and painlessly!