It's Official: Sandy Was No Hurricane

Missing Brick November 18, 2012 at 06:51 pm

Public adjusters are not accepted by the flood insurance folks. I already attempted to hire one, he told me they will only use their adjustment companies. This should be illegal!

Sal Sorce November 18, 2012 at 08:10 pm

Many had felt that eventually there
was going to be a technical (verbal) wording that most likely enable the insurance companies to waive any of the many claims assumed to be a coverage for their losses? New Jersey is among the most corrupted Banking and Insurance companies in the country ... OOOPs forgot the credit card group of companies ... A huge opening for the lawyers who abound the welfare state known as New Joisey ...

JohnM November 18, 2012 at 11:22 pm

You are misinformed my friend. The so called FLOOD adjusters that come to your home are misguided, uneducated on policy, have no idea what IICRC standards are for CAT 3 water and barley know how flood insurance works (fyi: their only requirement is to take a 4 hour class!!!). You are putting your life/home/future in their hands. They get to leave and go home and you have to figure this out on your own. You can hire whomever you what. It is none of their business. The guy who comes to your house has no say in what you do. He is a hired gun for the hired gun for the insurance carrier who is hired by our fine government. I am representing dozens of homeowners on thier flood losses. YOU NEED REPRESENTATION! BELIEVE ME! Most of these guys can't spell flood yet alone scope and develop a detailed estimate of your damages. Whoever told you that should lose their license. They are mis-informed. GET HELP BEFORE ITS TOO LATE.

Diane Pappas November 19, 2012 at 01:51 am

We sustained four feet of flood water in our lower level. The insurance adjuster told us that they consider the lower level a "crawl space" and therefore nothing is covered...not the dry wall, not the furniture, not the refrigerator. IF the refrigerator was a FREEZER it would have been covered. If we had a washer and dryer down there, which we do not, that would have been covered. The steps/rugs are not covered. We have a $1000 deductible. As of now, I am wondering why I pay for flood insurance.

JohnM November 19, 2012 at 02:54 am

Diane. When you say lower level is it below grade meaning is that part of your house below ground level? A crawl space is not a lower level. These adjusters are uneducated on this stuff and are making statements that are not true. I have a document that shows visually what is covered. I am a public adjuster and am seeing first hand the incompetency of these Flood adjusters. They take a 4 hour class and can be called adjusters. You are putting your home/life/etc in their hands! Its bad. If you need help contact me. I am not solicting for business I just want to help people. I live here to and have been affected myself by this.

Kim E November 19, 2012 at 04:43 am

" Ain't" that the truth !!

Lydia Dawn November 19, 2012 at 12:01 pm

JohnM,
Do you deal with NY & NJ or just NJ? Either way I'd like your info. please!

JohnM November 19, 2012 at 12:09 pm

I am licensed and bonded in the State of NJ. I don't know if they will let me put my contact info on here and I respect that. I hope they willl as a public service. My website is beaconadjusters.com my contact information is on there. Just trying to help people and educate them on their rights as a policyholder. You pay a premium every year for protection when an event like this happens.

Jake November 19, 2012 at 12:20 pm

I am sure that this eases the minds of the people who were devastated by the "storm"

Beachin November 19, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Our flood adjuster said our first floor isn't considered our first floor because of the elevation. The dry wall, insulation, carpets, furniture and everything else we put out on the curb for trash isn't covered.

NJarhead November 19, 2012 at 12:56 pm

What a joke. I'm sorry Maggie.

Mattie November 19, 2012 at 01:05 pm

That is unbelievable! It's a disgrace how the insurance companies and flood insurance companies get away with this BS!! When they claim you live in a "mandatory" flood insurance zone, their payouts should be "mandatory" as well.
Please everyone, take JohnM's advice and seek other adjustments and estimates!

Mischa November 19, 2012 at 01:21 pm

I swore the night of the storm that there were tornado's. The wind sounded just like I've heard a tornado described - like a freight train. The damage that ensued from the storm(s) looked like a tornado just took the houses away and left matchsticks. I am no meteorologist but I believe that it was a combination of Cyclone, hurricane, full moon and north-easter in one giant unbelievable mix. I hope that the insurance companies take care of their clients who have been paying premiums for so many years. My sympathies go out to all those affected.

JohnM November 19, 2012 at 01:30 pm

What is the elevation? Is the area affected below grade (below ground level). There are coverage limitations for areas below the lowest elevated floor and basements. It really depends on your home. There is a definition of a basement, crawlspace, walk-out basement or elevated building (where the enclosure is fully enclosed by rigid walls). There is a fema guide which outlines the coverage for these types of spaces. I can send it to you if you'd like. I am a Public Adjuster just trying to educate people on this stuff. I am encountering these so-called Flood Adjusters everyday. God help you if you get the wrong one.
You (every homeowner) needs to start asking these people what their quailifcations are. How much experience they have with remediation and rebuilding of flooded houses. DO they adhere to IICRC protocol for the remediation of Catagorey 3 (black water). This is serious stuff not to be taken lightly. This is your home/your investment/your life. You have one shot at this. Don't let these guys push you around. You are the homeowner, you pay the policy, it is your obligation per your policy to demonstrate your claim! If you dont know how to do that get representation. A public adjuster, a lawyer, somebody. Don't put this in the hands of some out of state guy with 100's of claims he has to complete before he goes home. I am a Public Adjuster, not doing this for promotion. I am sick of seeing people getting taken advantage of. I live here. I am local. I care. Get HELP!!!

JohnM November 19, 2012 at 01:34 pm

Go here to download the resource file for the summary of coverage for your Flood Insurance Policy. It outlines what is covered and not covered and limitations for areas below grade.
http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=3011

wookfish November 19, 2012 at 01:46 pm

that's it folks..it wasn't a hurricane ..now stop blaming global warming.

Ana Prodani November 19, 2012 at 03:01 pm

Let me get this straight...you aren't covered because of your elevation. The insurance company should have told you that before they took your money. It doesn't seem possible that they can get away with this. Gov.Christie said his office would police insurance companies to insure they would honor claims. I would file a complaint with his office as well as your district's congressman. Also, hire a public adjuster or lawyer! I was turned down by my insurance company for a 111,000.00 claim. I hired a lawyer...I got paid. Don't give up! It's a shame that you need to go thru this. God Bless you and good luck.

Ana Prodani November 19, 2012 at 03:10 pm

I completely agree with you Misha. My parents are from Cuba, they've lived thru many a Hurricane and they said the damage incurred in Ortley is from Cyclone wind gusts. A tropical storm cannot create the carnage witnessed in Ortley. The homeowners insurance needs to cough up for damage from winds. I lost my house and got to see it on Friday for the first time...it's devastating! It's beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Lavalette looks damaged, but doesn't come close to the disaster I witnessed in Ortley.

Sam Lavner November 19, 2012 at 07:51 pm

I hope nobody reading this comment string is relying on it for guidance. There are all type of mistatements, conflations, and other falacies here. Read your policies and research the terms until you understand them. Also hire a Public Adjuster - preferably one who uses an attorney. Or hire your own attorney to supplement your Public Adjuster if necessary. Otherwise, you will never know if your complaints and criticisms are warranted and whether you got everything you are entitiled to.

Jesse James November 19, 2012 at 07:54 pm

Apparently you parents are the only ones that did not make it from cuba to miami to see hurricane andrew. Nothing but wind flattened everything for miles.

Ana Prodani November 19, 2012 at 08:24 pm

Jesse,
My family lived through Andrew in Miami as well. That Hurricane was classified a catagory 5. Sandy is officially classified by the National Weather Service as a Tropical Storm/Cyclone. The insurance companies are trying to push blame on flooding and only flooding. That is not the case here, although we did have tremendous flooding, Cyclone force winds are also to blame especially in Ortley Beach which has been deemed ground zero. Therefore homeowners insurance companies need to honor the claims. FYI..not all Cubans went to Miami.

Mike Simpson November 19, 2012 at 08:24 pm

If you are forced to flee your home because of damage caused by fire, windstorm or some other covered peril or if you are ordered to evacuate your home, the loss of use coverage provides peace of mind. It pays for your hotel and restaurant bills while you are away from your home, but it does have some limitations.
Residence is Uninhabitable Loss of use coverage is one of the most important features of your homeowner's insurance policy. It is listed as Coverage D in your policy and is also referred to as "additional living expense" coverage. You become entitled to benefits under this coverage when: Your home is damaged to the extent that it becomes uninhabitable as a result of an insured peril, such as damage caused by fire, windstorm or lightning, or You are ordered to evacuate your home by a lawful authority, such as the fire department, the sheriff's office or a disaster response team. More here..... http://insurance.lawyers.com/property-insurance/Insurance-Coverage-for-Loss-of-Use-of-Your-Home.html

Ana Prodani November 19, 2012 at 08:45 pm

I have a question. I have loss of use, but I do not occupy the property, my son daughter in law and three year old grandson did. The house was hit by a roof,rafters and all. Several exterior walls collapsed leaving it exposed to the elements including a Nor Eastern. My kids evacuated and thank the Lord are fine. Does loss of use apply in my case?

Jesse James November 19, 2012 at 08:46 pm

Are you sure that all of the cubans did not go to miami? I am pretty sure they were all there. Some went to Ortley? How old are you?

Ana Prodani November 19, 2012 at 08:54 pm

Way too old for BS!

foggyworld November 21, 2012 at 01:48 am

See Bill Gates via google and his remarks about weather modification which is going on like crazy in this area. The government doesn't want to discuss it but other nations are and it's time for us to demand to know the purpose of the games being played and the chemicals being used. Clouds in plaid formats are not normal and yet it has been four or five years of stripes in the sky that quickly disperse and turn a sunny day dark gray. Why?

George Clark November 21, 2012 at 02:21 am

Yes. Weather wars are on. Or is it just global warming? Inquiring minds wanna know. In any case I say I see and am sure. It’s first through a roar,
That I hear it’s allure. Then through smell, That I can tell. By the first salty taste, The warmth of the sun upon my face. It’s in the touch of a toe, That I know. Upon a gentle summer’s breeze, All my troubles begin to ease. Once I sea, Then I am shore. It’s my love of the beach, I do preach. For when I am there, I have no care. When like a grain of sand am I, My spirit does fly.

KC November 21, 2012 at 07:20 am

I believe you. I have never remembered such cloudiness. I think it is also contributing to a general lack of well-being. Not enough sunshine. I saw a PBS special on the Dust Bowl the other night. They thought that was the end of times then. Maybe we can repair things and this is nature's warning to heed. Perhaps with a little more attention and foresight we can heal our planet. The irony of this ecological mess is that every time there is a disaster more and more water bottles are necessarily strewn into the mix ergo creating more ecological disaster. Let's all try to recycle things in our lives. Let's all use only what we need and not try to cater to every single want. Let's live and let live. Let's rebuild and hell yeah let's take on these insurance companies.

CC November 22, 2012 at 06:27 am

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Steven A Martin November 25, 2012 at 06:23 pm

The weather report was about the only thing one could believe to be true. Now they're connected to the whole corporate conspiracy to misinform us, confuse us, and bilk us. When your home is a pile of debris, does it matter if it was a hurricane, tropic cyclone, or sea breeze?