I'm furious...Insurance companies are the...

I swear, I'm getting to the point where I just don't want to open my mail box...Each day I find one or more items, bills or something that upsets me..Today takes the cake.

Last year after two hurricanes swept through Miami, my house had some considerable damage, mostly to the outside. It was about $11,000 all told and was agreed upon with our insurance adjuster when he was here..Months later we heard from the company itself explaining why certain items on our claim, all legitimate, would not be covered...They agreed to pay for roof repairs, some fence repairs and other incidentals...Their payout after all that was only about $4000.00. So we would have to pay out of pocket for the rest...So far, with all the other damage in both Dade and Broward counties it's been hard to get a roofer but we found one recently and work was supposed to start next month...The only work we've been able to have done was a door replaced that led outside from our bathroom.

But, just today, we recieved a letter from the insurance co. stating that our policy was going to go up...Up?? How about doubled? At first our policy cost us about $1400 a year then 6 months ago it went up to nearly $4000...today my letter states it will be nearly $8000...Can you imagine??? Will I have to pay my insurance out of the money they gave us for repairs?

I am furious..I had read insurance costs were going to go up but this is ridiculous...It's like that all over the state and yet our governmant, both local and the big wigs in Washington, do nothing to help regulate what's going on. I just don't know what will be...Small businesses all over Miami are closing cause the owners can't pay their insurance costs...People who want to sell their homes can't do that now since the real estate market is in such a decline...All or assets and equity in our house would be lost if we had to sell now..

I just don't know...I'm beside myself right now..and physically I still feel like crap...

Thanks for letting me vent

Comments: 14

CANDY k. Sep 27, 2006, 4:05pm EDT

I don't know what to say, except this is horrible, talk about price gouging.

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Selene N. Sep 27, 2006, 4:27pm EDT

That is horrible!!!!! And what upset me the most is that there are still so many people scamming the insurance companies and get more money than they deserve. It's like only bad people get the money, and good people get scr*wed!

I didn't have as bad experience as you had, but I am also still waiting for settlements from claims over TWO YEARS ago from my insurance company!

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Barbara F. Sep 27, 2006, 5:46pm EDT

In a culture that proclaims a righteous revival of "values", this mutual benefit concept is conspicuously absent. The good-works of yesterday's non-profits and government programs replaced with the haste, thrift and ethical poverty of big-business control.

You've said a mouthful there... and don't get me started on health insurance...grrr
Thanks for stopping by

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William M. Sep 27, 2006, 6:15pm EDT

It's hell.

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Barbara F. Sep 27, 2006, 9:27pm EDT

From the bottom? Are you calling for a revolution? Off with their heads..;)

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Sandra L. Sep 27, 2006, 11:36pm EDT

Insurance companies are the biggest rip-offs around.

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Rachel K. Sep 28, 2006, 9:24am EDT

What you are talking about, Barbara, is fraud on the insurance company's part, not price gouging. Do you have any documents that quote your original numbers? If so, it's time to get a lawyer. If you paid nearly $4000 last year and will be paying another $8000 a year starting next year, you will have paid more than what you need in two years alone. At that rate, you might be better off sticking that money into an accessible account rather than wasting it on an insurance company that won't insure you.
Mary, your situation sucks, too. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as just socking away your money into an account because hospitals charge different prices (generally higher) to people who are uninsured than those that aren't. Further, some hospitals and clinics will refuse non-emergency service to those without health insurance, even if you can pay out of your pocket. But until there is some house cleaning in government, no complaining will make a lick of difference. After all, our elected officials make sure that they are insured and forget that not many of the rest of us are so lucky. Definitely not for the price they pay--nothing.

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Carolyn K. Sep 28, 2006, 10:16am EDT

They want their money back! The news of full of raise announcements. Hubby has been hearing for 6 months from his mother that hers is going to jump like your did, she is in St Augustine. Don't how she will pay it as neither his sister or him are in a postition to help anyone and infact we have been forced into early social security because of the job market. I guess all I can say it that people who can't afford it will either do without or move to where the cost of living is cheaper.

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Barbara F. Sep 28, 2006, 4:42pm EDT

and what if you can't move for one reason or another...it's a horrible situation..We were on the phone all morning talking to insurance agents and there is no solution especially here in Florida...the only thing we might be able to do is raise our deductible and pray we dont have any storms or wind damage.. I'm still outraged

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Heather B. Sep 29, 2006, 3:58pm EDT

Hope you are feeling better today, Barbara. My first inclination is to "move," but I also know that's not realistic for everyone to rebuild a life elsewhere. We take the good with the bad, and in your beautiful area, there is plenty of good. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. It's expensive; we have earthquake insurance for those that want to invest in it, BUT...reality is that many will never even be able to touch home ownership because homes can run a million dollars (ok, maybe 700,000 on my street). So, we avoid the earthquake insurance. We rent. But, guess what? I' love where I live and home is where you plant your heart. The heart is where you plant your feet.

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Stephen Murray Sep 29, 2006, 7:23pm EDT

They are unconsciounable, but they only f___ over their clients. The Bush White House has f___ed over the whole world!

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Barbara F. Sep 30, 2006, 11:18am EDT

yes, he has and his brother the Governor of this "great" state is f----ing over all of us here...Yesterday, the main headline in the Miami herald was all about the insurance problems going on for everyone..Our only solution is to pay this new amount or lower it a bit by raising our deductible to an amount that won't cover hardly any damage in the event of another hurricane ($10,000) anything under that amount and we have to pay for repairs out of pocket...In either case we are screwed.

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Lori (Dr Devience) Leidig Oct 1, 2006, 8:08am EDT

And the real outrage is that the law, as presently written, is that you MUST have insurance... you cannot simply put that money into a savings account, even though the insurance will never likely pay you a dime for house damages.. ever. Because oof the high deductable. But ooh you must have it. They demand you have it.

This kinda crap riles me no end.

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Felicia R. Mar 16, 2007, 5:35am EDT

You get a lovely Ten... Yea For you!!!! :)

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I'm furious...Insurance companies are the worst example of America's flaws

Comments: 14

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