[huntr4life]

FYI for all of you Farmers Insurance Customers....

Farmers Insurance customers with damage should immediately contact their agent or call Farmers' 24-hour-claims hotline, 800-HelpPoint (1-800-435-7764) for immediate assistance.
Spanish-speaking customers should call (877) RECLAMO -- (877) 732-5266.
Foremost Insurance customers should file their claim by calling: 800-527-3907.
Bristol West Insurance customers should file their claim by calling: 1-800-274-7865.
Flood victims who have flood insurance should contact the National Flood Program at www.floodsmart.gov.
If you have Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) coverage with windstorm damage, contact your agent to report a claim. If your agent can't be reached, you can call (800) 788-8247. For more information, visit www.twia.org.

 

[huntr4life]

AUSTIN, Texas, Sep 14, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- As the Greater Houston area transitions from the "search and rescue" phase to the initial recovery phase in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Farmers Insurance is on the ground and helping customers. Farmers' Mobile Catastrophe Claims Center rolled into Houston Saturday, within hours of Ike slamming into the Texas Gulf Coast. Farmers' Mobile Catastrophe Claims Center set up in Northwest Houston and began helping customers file on-the-spot claims early this morning.
"We will move our mobile claims buses into the hardest hit areas as soon as it is safe to do so in order to help the most people," said Larry Pratt, State Executive Director of Farmers in Texas. "We want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to file claims quickly."
Farmers has more than 1,000 claims people in the Houston, Galveston and Beaumont areas helping customers file claims following Hurricane Ike.
"Within the first 24-hours of Ike we received more than 11,000 claims," said Paul Quinn Assistant Vice President of Claims Communications for Farmers Insurance. "We know this is only the beginning and we want to help our customers rebuild from this hurricane as quickly as possible."
Farmers has two Mobile Catastrophe Claims (MCC) buses and 10 Customer Care Claims Vehicles (CCV) either in Houston or en-route to the hardest hit areas of Texas.
Farmers' Mobile Catastrophe Claims buses are 45' long and are equipped with state-of-the art satellite communications equipment; seven claims stations; water, supplies; laptop and telephone capability, and a built-in grill to serve meals to Farmers' customers and others in need. Farmers Customer Care Claims Vehicles are smaller versions of the buses to assist with claims and supply needs.

 

[huntr4life]

ttt, just in case anyone missed it.

 

[CrazyYak]

How did Farmer's SNEEK the increase in Tropical Cylone Deductible from $2,000 to 5% of home value (about another $12,000 for me)? That's not what I originally signed up for. I don't recall my Agent contacting me about this, I WOULD HAVE REMEMBERED. Never had anything more than $2,000 / 1% Home Value for Tropical Cyclone.

What's really screwed up about the deal is Farmer's referred my rental property to one of their Independents. So technically I have a better policy on my rental property (1% deductibles) than my primarly residence (they are located in the same county only 5 miles apart). Makes no sense at all.

Just curious how Farmer's will explain this once I speak to the adjuster.

 

[jabx1962]

Farmers called me today about my claim. Said an adjuster would call me in 48 Hours or less.

 

[CrazyYak]

Farmers called me today about my claim. Said an adjuster would call me in 48 Hours or less.

The Farmers Representative told me approximately 4 days, filed on Sunday AM. If it takes longer I understand, I'm more worried about how the increase in deductible was communicated. An extra $12,000 for a TS deductible is extemely substantial, should have received a call from the Agent at a minimum.

 

[jabx1962]

The Farmers Representative told me approximately 4 days, filed on Sunday AM. If it takes longer I understand, I'm more worried about how the increase in deductible was communicated. An extra $12,000 for a TS deductible is extemely substantial, should have received a call from the Agent at a minimum.

That is a huge increase. I don't recall getting any notice as you described.And my Agent is very good about communicating policy changes.

Where did you get the info about the new clause?

 

[CrazyYak]

That is a huge increase. I don't recall getting any notice as you described.And my Agent is very good about communicating policy changes.

Where did you get the info about the new clause?

From the Agent last week. Called to verify claim process and SURPRISE. I'm keeping my calm for now, waiting for an official reponse from an Adjuster.

 

[CrazyYak]

In Addition: The new TS Deductible is 2% if they write your auto, 5% if they do not. I would have added an automobile if given the opportunity.

 

[jabx1962]

In Addition: The new TS Deductible is 2% if they write your auto, 5% if they do not. I would have added an automobile if given the opportunity.

I have my Auto policys with Farmers too...when did they sneak in the new Clause?....

 

[CrazyYak]

End of 2007 from what I've gathered during the past few minutes.

Here's a good article about how insurance companies are slithering in the new deal:
http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/finance/allstate-3-tropical-cyclone-deductible-they-must-be-kidding/

Very unethical in my opinion. READ your policies thoroughly.

 

[CrazyYak]

Farmers finally did the right thing and honored my original deductible of 1%, that is after the Texas Insurance Board took over. However, my renewell with the same coverage just went up 45%.