Notice from my H.O. insurance company

[Frank]

commendable mac...there seems to be a lot of crap slung here on various threads which has no basis other than hearsay and opinion...you owned up...good on ya

aloha

[Midnight Rambler]

quote:

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Originally posted by Rob Tucker

Just got this in an email today....

Does my homeowner's policy cover lava flow?

I do not sell any Homeowner or Dwelling Fire policy that exclude lava or volcanic eruption. However, shock or earth tremors related to volcanic eruption are excluded.

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I see the wording there. I was told that some people in Kalapana/Royal Gardens who had their houses knocked down, covered, or otherwise demolished by lava were denied insurance reimbursement because their house wasn't actually set on fire, which is all their insurance would cover for.

[unknownjulie]

I am not an expert, but I worked with someone who lost a 30,000 dollar cabin that the family had just built, in the Kalapana flows, and somehow they were denied coverage by the insurance- at the last minute. I did question her extensively, but the bottem line, is that somehow the insurance got out of paying. They completely lost their money, and also a place to go with the grandkids to spend the weekend. I wish I knew more details, but unfortunately I don't.

[jerry]

Several years ago our insurance company (Hartford) changed our lava zone from 3 to 2--with no reason as to why when I objected--and refused to reissue a policy since they do not cover zone 1 or 2. It was all quite arbitrary.

Jerry

[Rob Tucker]

I had a house burn down on the mainland years ago. The insurance company did everything it could to whittle down the settlement. Do not think they are our friends. Document everything.

I watched the same thing take place after the Malibu Firestorm.

[Tink]

Oh yes! I have seen investigators at the Building Department where I worked researching permits to see a way out. Discovered popular one is the homeowner putting in recessed lighting without electrical permit, house burns and cause is, but has nothing to do with light installation, "electrical in nature".
If cause is other than "combustion", (ei: candle or other flame source, it must be "electrical in nature" on a report) the insurance company has a right to not pay. Sucks for the homeowner, but insurance is a business, and a business needs to make money. They just find a way to increase the odds in their favor.

Community begins with Aloha

[punagirl]

As an insurance adjuster of 25 years I can assure you that we do not sit around and look for ways not to pay. Adjusters are not rewarded in that manner so there is no incentive. Honestly, it is far easier to pay a claim than dispute one. When you dispute you end up with lawsuits, insurance commissioner complaints etc and your file stays open for ever. I know that it seems that you are getting screwed when something isn't covered but it's your job to read the policy and make your agent answer questions before purchasing the policy.

You should be documenting everything right now. Photos, receipts etc. I'd video tape the house, outbuildings, cars and possessions that you have to leave behind.

I hope the best for everyone during this situation.

Atlanta/Pahoa

[kalakoa]

Adjusters are not rewarded in that manner so there is no incentive.

Yes and no: the rewards go to executive management, and the incentive goes to the lawyers who write the technicalities ("lava isn't a fire").

(Not to be insensitive, I just hate insurance companies.)

[Tink]

I was not referring to all adjusters, only the fact that in all business, there are some "independents" that want to look good to corporate bosses.
Apologies to those honest agents, that look out for their clients.
Community begins with Aloha

[bluesboy]

This flow should have no change to the lava zones map. What is occurring now is fully within the definition of lava zones 2 & 3.

http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/hazards/lavazones/main.html