Re: Broken Camera - Does it look fixable?

John H wrote: 
On Fri, 06 Jan 2006 08:15:46 -0600, Mamamia
<replytome@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


In article <11rsrctkahohre3@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"Rita Ä Berkowitz" <ritaberk2O04 @aol.com> wrote:

Huh?  Isn't this what insurance is for?  While I agree with your concerns
and feel this amount of money is trivial and nothing to be concerned about,
I would think an opportunity to get something back from a bunch of thieves
is something that he is entitled to.  After doing the math I feel I'm
getting a severe screwing from the insurance industry, even with my Kevlar
chastity belt on.  My homeowner's policy hasn't seen a claim in almost
20-years and the rates seem to magically increase every year "to offer me
better service".  And let us not forget that auto insurance rate that also
increases annually even though you don't put in a claim.

(true story) My neighbor's water heater is in their attic, and the pipes froze up from the extreme cold last winter, ruptured a pipe, and leaked water all over their den and utility room downstairs. They filed about $12K of expenses to fix the rooms on their homeowner's insurance.(first claim after being held by the same company for 20 years) As a result, their insurance company cancelled them six months later (don't ask me why they took so long to do it, but that was the reason the company cited), and their new company says they are now "high risk" for at least a year. The cost of their yearly policy skyrocketed from ~$800 last year to $2500 this year. Hell, insurance has become nothing short of legal extortion, it appears. One claim in 20 years = high risk! 


	We had several small claims 15 years ago.  It would have been
cheaper to pay out of pocket.  They bumped our deductible to $1,000
and upped the premiums so that we have paid for the loss multiple
times. Hmmm.... maybe they like you to have small claims so they can
make more in the long run.
	
	A doctor friend had his rates boosted just for asking about
the ramifications of a claim concerning his stolen bag.  When he got
his next bill with a higher premium he complained that he hadn't made
a claim only to be told it didn't matter.  The theft had established a
risk whether he made a claim or not.  This is a feature of dealing
directly with the insurer rather than an agent who might keep these
details confidential.

	Insurance is against the big loss.  Best to eat the little
stuff.  It's cheaper in the long run.

John H


And even worse, the past claim histories are shared by most (if not all) insurers.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: UK travel insurance
    ... but theres a social benefit available. ... Then the state should do it, instead of expecting commercial companies to. ... From the insurance companies and ... the high risk young who find the premium unaffordable. ...
    (rec.travel.europe)
  • Re: I need help finding information to present in court
    ... the insurance company seems to have decided to not to make an offer ... as my attorney bailed out on me when he found that there was no more ... I have had the privilege to provide dental care to Mr. John Doe since ... increase in Johns rate and severity of dental caries. ...
    (alt.support.chronic-pain)
  • Re: I dont know if I can take much more.....
    ... The sump pump died and we had torrential rain all night. ... John H ... Hopefully he had sump pump insurance in his homeowners policy (runs about ... Sorry John, our new carpeting and trim comes out of our pocket, as does ...
    (rec.boats)
  • Re: I dont know if I can take much more.....
    ... John H ... Hopefully he had sump pump insurance in his homeowners policy (runs ... Sorry John, our new carpeting and trim comes out of our pocket, as ...
    (rec.boats)
  • Re: Looting after Katrina
    ... point are $17 to $25 billion FROM INSURANCE CLAIMS. ... Swiss Re doesn't have that kind of a cushion from the premiums people all ... >> Do you really think the coast of LA is not high risk? ... You might want to check on a remedial math course. ...
    (sci.med.transcription)