Insurance/Recovery Tip:

Insurance negotiations are different than a standard negotiation such as when buying a car or trying to get a raise.

 

For example, when asking for a raise, one strategy might be to ask for more than you're willing to settle on. For example, if you make $20 an hour and want $25 an hour you might walk in asking for $30 an hour and be okay when you get $24.50.

 

When negotiating an insurance claim, you need hard evidence that your claim is what it is and you will not budge because your evidence is solid. In fact, if you have a $500,000 claim and start at $650,000 just to "get down" to $500,000 the insurance company might be able to invalidate your entire claim because you fraudulently claimed $650,000 when you weren't owed this amount.

 

This difference is because you entered into the contract, or policy, before the claim and you already agreed on replacement and no more.

 

For more Insurance Negotiation Tips, download our updated Negotiation Tip Handout at:

http://www.carehelp.org/downloads/handouts/Handout11-NegotiatingTips.pdf

 

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"POWAY – Angry High Valley residents who accused the Poway Fire Department of abandoning them during last year's Witch Creek fire are no longer waiting for the city to protect them."

[more at http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080314/news_1mc14poway.html]

"The county is here to work with you and help you rebuild your homes. That was the message from the speakers at last Saturday’s community meeting."
[more at http://crestlinecourier-news.com/articles/2008/03/13/news/news4.txt]

"Brian Geraci and Sue Joley lost their home to the Santiago fire. The couple has learned that recovering from loss carries more than an emotional cost. It also carries a significant price tag."
[more at http://www.ocregister.com/news/fema-insurance-boxer-1984793-couple-geraci]

"Monetary claims will be filed this week by at least 21 Corral Fire victims alleging that the state's indifference to years of reports about partying at a State Parks property located at the top of Corral Canyon Road and the lack of brush clearance in the area led to the Nov. 24 blaze. The state will have 45 days to respond to the claims, which are estimated to be at least $30 million. If the state rejects the claims, the homeowners can file a lawsuit."

[more at http://www.malibutimes.com/articles/2008/03/04/breaking_news/newsflash1.txt]

 

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Disaster Coalition named 'Organization of the Year' by SCV Press Club; Published Mar 11, 2008 in The Signal of Santa Clarita Valley

"The Santa Clarita Valley Disaster Coalition was named "Organization of the Year" for 2007 at the SCV Press Club's 12th annual Newsmaker Awards ceremony, sponsored and hosted by The Signal Friday, Feb. 29, 2008 at the Hyatt Valencia."

[more at http://newmedia.the-signal.com/news/article/751/]

SACRAMENTO - A Palos Verdes company and its operators will pay $200,000 in fines for posing as insurance claims adjusters after the Angora fire in South Lake Tahoe last summer.

 

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner says Paramount Disaster Recovery also agreed to pay the state $75,000 in litigation costs.
[more at http://tahoedailytribune.com/article/20080117/NEWS/276073993]