Heed the warning! My soundsystem and records are a pile of ashes


Hi Audiogon family,

Wanted to reach out with a message of warning to please endorse your soundsystem on your insurance policy if you have not already. I have just lost my home and all belongings in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, CA, and I will likely not be able to recover it in full because I did not specifically insure it.

This also goes for records! I'm learning that I will probably be sub-limited on my $80k record collection that I have been assembling since childhood.

I know that stuff is stuff. I literally had to evacuate within minutes because of my house's proximity to the fire's origin. How I wish I had grabbed some of the priceless, unbuyable records that I searched high and low for throughout my life. But I'm alive, my family is alive, and that's what matters most. 

I've worked so hard to provide for my family all these years - we are not a trust fund situation. Records/hifi - MUSIC - was, is and will continue to be my most beloved hobby. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, and hope some of you may heed my advice to avoid losing your priceless collections.

I have a gofundme setup if anyone is feeling generous, but would appreciate any thoughts and prayers as well. I've found encouragement from my community has been a major saving grace for us during this time. Also, if anyone has experience starting again from the ground up, I'd love to hear your inspirational stories.

128x128nardandsaffron

Glad you and your family are safe, and good luck in recovery and your rebuild. I'm sure that the hindsight regarding insurance coverage is painful as well.

Very thankful you and your loved ones are safe.  Your insurance situation is a wake up call for me, thank you for sharing about that, I hadn't thought of it.

My sincere condolences.  I have a number of colleagues in the audio business in Pasadena and Altadena who have lost everything.  It's very distressing to hear about.  I send hopes that you'll be able to recover your life.

My sympathies are with you. As a resident of the Gulf coast, I have had to deal with multiple hurricanes. Having insurance is great but you ordeal is just beginning. They stay up at night trying to figure out how to decrease your claim. Stand tough, your family is depending on you.