For future storms, I will no longer board the windows. The primary reason, I suppose, is because I won't be riding out any more storms in this house. But the secondary reason - and perhaps most significant - is because it does the homeowner no good to do so. Consider this:
We got three feet of surge with Katrina (no flood insurance - we're at 30 feet above MSL and have N-E-V-E-R in history had a problem with storm surge before). Consequently, State Farm is saying they won't pay for "flood" damage. However, if all the windows broke and wind infiltrated to blow my roof off, they would cover everything - even damage caused by wind-driven rain!!
Of course, my contention with SF is that this water (aka surge) was equally wind-driven and they "should" consider it the same way. As I've said before, if the wind was not blowing from a hurricane approaching from our southwest, this water (aka surge) would not have been present, hence, it would not have entered my home. No doubt, they don't want to entertain that discussion - so again, the big insurance companies win and the little guys loose.
And for anyone to present the argument that "I should have had flood insurance", my response - and many others - is why? Being 30 feet above sea level, nowhere near a river or lake, and on high ground that ALWAYS drains well - even in heavy and continuous rain - would tend to make one think they don't need flood insurance. Add to this the fact that neither my city, county, state, mortgage company, or insurance agent mandated or even suggested that I have that coverage.
As it looks now, everyone - no matter where they live - better completely insure themselves against any possible peril to include floods, earthquakes, wildfires, terrorist attacks, alien invasion, abominable snowmen, bear attacks, well - the list goes on and on.
And to top it all off, SF is now telling us they will not pay for a new roof, even when a large percentage of the shingles are gone down to the felt. They will, however, pay to "patch" the missing pieces. That's gonna look just great!!
Oh yeah, and did I mention how quick they are to collect on their 2% hurricane deductible for "hurricane" damage!!?? Well in my case, the damage caused by this hurricane will far exceed anything SF is gonna pay.
Okay, rant over (but not forgotten
). But still, no more window boards for me. Nature can just come on in and do what she's gonna do... I'm done protecting State Farm from any liability.
Makes me wonder if any of them will EVER pay?
