When the Dust Settles and Rebuilding Begins

If there is only one good thing about the recent wildfires in Southern California, it may be that the majority of homeowners and many renters will be insured for their home and personal possessions. The most basic homeowner and renter insurance policy covers for the peril of fire. When there is a widespread disaster it may take a little longer to settle the claims with the insurance company, and it may be difficult to find all of the materials, equipment and people needed to get everything rebuilt and repaired. Resources may be limited, and victims of a widespread disaster often … Continue reading →

Getting A Home Back to Normal Following A Freak Disaster.

It’s been almost four-months since my little brother had a broken pipe flood his home. During this time his family of including six children have been living in a hotel, while waiting for the repairs and remodeling. The insurance company hasn’t been very happy about this situation. However, because the damage caused by the frozen and broken water pipe included saturated floors, walls and ceilings the risk of mold development is very great. Many families would have been expected to remain in the home during repairs, but with the possibility of mold development my brother contacted a state mold inspector … Continue reading →

Ten Things to Know About Mold Damage

Mold damage is usually the result of some kind of major water damage or exposure to water. Insurance generally only covers a mold claim if there has been damage caused due to an insured Peril. A broken water pipe, a wind storm that tears part of the roof away and water seeps into the structure. Water damage caused when there is a fire and the home is soaked to prevent the fire from spreading. Insurance doesn’t pay for Mold claims that happen gradually over a period of time, or damage caused by wear and tear. There are some insurance companies … Continue reading →

Cover Letter For Corrections to our Health Insurance Company Documentation

Dear Insurance Company: We have received the initial denial of authorization from your office. As a matter of course in our effort to advocate for the needs of our daughter we requested the copies of all documents, records and other information relevant if we wanted to file appeal for benefits. We weren’t necessarily interested in appealing the Insurance Company’s decision because our daughter is a “special needs” adoption from the foster care system and we have alternate insurance choices. Makala continues to receive the recommended care as a residential patient. We requested the documents in order to keep records of … Continue reading →

Copy of All Documents, Relevant to Your Appeal.

In a previous Blog I outlined our situation and the fact our Employer Provided Group Health Insurance had sent us an Initial Denial of Authorization for continued psychiatric residential treatment our 9-year-old daughter needs. We expected the letter, and knew our private group health policy had decided in a Doctor to Doctor meeting they would not authorize any further care. This time however, I decided to request a copy of all the documents the insurance company use to make their decision. I called the “Appeals” number provided in the initial denial of authorization letter and exercised my rights to receive … Continue reading →

Initial Denial of Authorization: The Letter

It’s not easy to parent a child who suffers from mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. Navigating the medical and mental health system can be a job in itself. Top things off with a less than cooperative Employer provided group health plan and life can become more then just a little stressful. Our beautiful 9-year-old daughter was placed for adoption with us at the age of 5. It’s been a long hard road filled with difficult parenting choices. I thought I knew everything after raising my older two children. Helping Makala has become the definition of Advocating for the best interest … Continue reading →

What to Do When Your Pipes Freeze–Mitigate Your Losses!

Frozen water pipes aren’t life threatening, however frozen or broken water pipes do cause damage to homes each winter. Homeowner need to take steps to avoid freezing damage to their house, inside and outside. For information about steps homeowners need to take to avoid the possible catastrophic losses caused by broken water pipes be sure to read the Blog, Don’t Let Your Pipes Freeze-Tips to Avoid Home Water Damage. When the pipes in the walls of a house aren’t properly insulated, they can and often do freeze and rupture. Ice expands and needs more space then water and a small … Continue reading →

Insured Losses Due To Hurricane.

Hurricane Katrina was the worst natural disaster the insurance industry has ever managed. The number of claims exceeds the previous record of more than two million made to cover losses in 2004 from the four Florida storms. There has been a great deal of press coverage about the way Insurance companies have handled claims. Several stories have aired showing families who have been denied insurance for losses they suffered from Hurricane Katrina. The issue is that Homeowners insurance policies have never covered losses due to flood and this Hurricane resulted in major flood damage. The typical homeowners policy covers damage … Continue reading →

When The Other Driver Is At Fault

So far, in this series of Blogs we have discussed the basic steps to take at When You Are Involved In An Auto Accident and Things You Should Say At The Scene of an Accident. In this Blog let’s talk about the steps to take when you are 100% sure, the other driver is 100% at fault for the accident. The most important thing to remember about the fault of an accident is that in some States percentage of fault can be assigned to both drivers. In many cases, when an insurance claim is settled both drivers will be deemed … Continue reading →