A neighbors tree fell on our property and did damage to our garage. We were told by either the owner of the tree's insurance company or ours that because this was an "Act Of God" we had to pay for damages. Your guest says there is no Act of God issue in insurance. How can we handle this in the future

@dboy

Funny - I offer a reasoned response to your misunderstanding about the ACA and you attack me personally with absolutely no substantive response.

And just to make sure we're all clear here. I:

a) have had to file a number of insurance claims.

b) do not work for an insurance company.

And that pretty much makes c) moot.

I'll offer a d) though: am a responsible adult who takes the time to think before speaking or acting.

I'm not saying that insurance companies don't employ corrupt practices. Many do. That's why we have agencies to regulate them.

I was simply shedding some light on what appears to be some misunderstandings/misstatements on the federal mandate under the ACA and the practice of responsibly insuring your property. Now, if you don't WANT to understand these things that's fine. Just please don't vote.

Leaozinho from Reason and Logic

a) Clearly, NEVER had to file a claim.

or

b) A faithful lemming in the employ of the corrupt insurance industry.

or

c) All of the above.

When will insurance became something that we feel like is looking out for our interests and not there's ?
My sitting mussel is always sore after dealing with insurance companies!

Your "expert", a vice president at the Insurance Institute, did not know about the sump pump rider?? (her quote: "That's good to know")??? IS SHE A REAL EXPERT, OR AN INDUSTRY SHILL TRYING TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM FILING CLAIMS!!!!!

Brian: can't your staff find an unbiased expert?

Hugh - If you want to be free from the tyranny of homeowner's insurance, you can always use YOUR money and pay CASH for a home. Without insurance, you will have a fool as a buyer.

@HughSansom

A mandate to purchase home insurance if you have a mortgage is nothing like a mandate to purchase health insurance under the ACA. No one is forcing you to purchase a house. And even if you decided to purchase a house, no one is forcing you to take out a mortgage. You may HAVE to take out a mortgage if you don't have a huge lump of money laying around. The point is ... you don't have to own a house. But if you decide to, then you have to take out insurance. Same with a car. It's a not just a huge leap, but an atrocity, that I am being forced to purchase health insurance solely on the condition that I am an American citizen. Use some analysis before hating on people who find the federal mandate under the ACA repugnant.

@dboy

They're called contracts, not criminals. They are the very basic underlying foundations of which our system is based in. If you purchase an insurance CONTRACT and it says in the CONTRACT that flooding is not covered and you were too flippant to read the contract before forking over the money then whose fault is that?

Your guest did NOT mention that even if you don't have flood coverage, many policies DO include:

1.:sump pump rider, which DOES cover you for water damage if your sump pump fails

2. Hurricane coverage, which according to USAA DOES include water damage from flooding caused by this storm (required in New York?)
Please have your guest comment.

Although wind damage is covered, I notice on my policy a "hurricane deductible" of 2% of insured value which is a lot. Could the person from insurance institute tell us if Irene is a *hurricane*, or a *tropical storm*, for insurance purpose, as far as NJ is concern?

the insurance lady is not mentioning that when you are evacuated or vacated according by a government agency, the insurance company will not pay. so, if you leave your house and it is robbed or burns down, they will also not pay. this happened to me and i am now simply ruined.

Isn't there a distinction between a flood caused by excessive water entering your home and a water incursion caused by a sump pump failure due to a power outage.

_Federal_ flood insurance?! Conservatives like Rick Perry and Chris Christie must be decrying that 'socialist' atrocity! And right-wingers in the northeast will surely ask the government _not_ to help them.

How is insurance not the biggest scam going these days???

There is ALWAYS a surprise when insurance companies are concerned!!

Mortgage holders are _required_ to have home-owners insurance? That sounds like a mandate! I take that right-wingers are calling this unconstitutional. And I take it that flood-victims who support those right-wingers will forego any assistance because they object to 'socialism'.

... sorry, did I mention criminal???

"Why aren't you covered when you thought you were?"

Huh??

Immoral, corrupt insurance industry for $100??

The electricity has been out since 10 am Sunday and not coming back on till the weekend. The food in my freezer/frig has
all been thrown out. I estimate over $200
of food. I have a $1000 deductible so
home insurance won't cover it. will my
power company (JCP&L) foot the tab?