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rassd71
12-10-2006, 02:08 PM
Hey Everybody,
Sorry it's been a bit since the last update. As the title says, things have not gone well lately. ... that's not entirely true. They've been challenging. And we're not done with it yet.
To put it simply, our job site was robbed over the weekend before thanksgiving. They broke the welded nuts off the shipping container and cleaned us out! All of my tools, the copper for the plumbing and the 3/0 main power line, as well as plumbing fixtures, light fixtures and the girls christmas presents. Just to list a few things. The ballpark right now is about $30k. We've stolen the money from the stucco guy to keep moving and have borrowed against my wifes 401k to keep going and are fighting with the insurance companies.

And that's really the value to this thread. IF you are going to do something like this, know exactly what your policy and ALL of the loopholes are. We have two policies to cover that property. One is a COC or course of construction policy and we are at the beginning of that filing process. The second, the one that I thought covered everything and is the one we've been fighting with, is a home owners policy on our current place that was extended to cover the secondary property. We specifically purchased it so it would cover the secondary property. But this is where the legal bs comes in. It does NOT cover theft unless the property is a 'temporary residence'. Well, I have a fridge and microwave and electric skillet onsite, and eat 2-3 meals a day there. As well I have stayed on a regular basis when needing to meet with subs early. So I asked what defines a 'temporary residence'? The response was... 'we don't have a definition, but you don't qualify'!?!

So, this post is simply a heads up to everyone, know exactly what is and is not covered. I would have been better off locking everything in a van parked on the property and keeping a simple auto policy on it!

Oh, the coc will cover the building materials, but not tools or personal property!

ChoochCharlie
12-12-2006, 06:26 AM
I have a pit in my stomach after reading this.
That is the lowest of the low. Read it outloud to my wife and she just said "That's terrible. Why are people so terrible?"

We will be praying for you and your family. Also praying that the hoodlums who did this get caught.

chloe3388
12-12-2006, 10:48 AM
This is so sad. You got robbed twice once by the crooks and than the insurance company.
It is legal theft, I have never had anything but trouble the few times in 30 years that I had to file a claim.
Praying for you guys.
chloe

desdawg
12-22-2006, 03:41 AM
Two words: That sucks!
I always thought that land sea containers were about the most secure way to store things. I have three of them. But I guess if the jerks want in bad enough they will find a way. I am really sorry to hear about this happening. I really dislike insurance companies. It sounds like you made a lot of effort to get the right coverage and someone misled you into thinking your needs were met. I suppose you needed a special rider for tools. I would think the "temporary residence" verbage could be argued since they don't have a definition in print.

rassd71
12-23-2006, 10:09 AM
Yeah, it sucks. We're waiting to hear back from the other insurance company. Depending on how that goes, we may have to get a lawyer. I hate lawyers even more than insurance companies.

Yeah, you can only do so much. Talking to other contractors about it, there have been cases where they've had steel jobsite boxes cut open with a torch. So, there is no way to make it 100% secure. However we did upgrade the lock hasp and lock. So, now it's that much more difficult!

grandmajoy
12-29-2006, 06:01 PM
rass I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to you. I hope you get it worked out.

joy

desdawg
12-31-2006, 07:23 PM
I hope you get it worked out without a barrister. I have been following your home building threads. Looks like you are doing a great job. Keep it up! Seems like you live in similar country to where I am at across the line in AZ.

bgood
01-01-2007, 05:19 PM
Sorry to hear about your losses. As the bumper sticker says, "Mean people suck". Before you spend money on attorneys, try your states insurance commission, if there is such a thing where you're at. Usually a threat of calling in a regulatory agency to get involved is enough incentive for the insurance company to be a little more agreeable.

Good luck.