So sorry for your loss. The really important thing is you and your family are safe.
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.
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I lost my home last year to a lightning strike and fire I had standard replacement coverage for my possessions I did not have My audio equipment or records listed separately in any way The insurance company paid full replacement value for all my equipment and records up to the maximum of my policy. I learned the hard way that I should have had a higher maximum, but generally, they covered everything About $200,000 in equipment and records was Covered and replaced It’s a lot of work explaining to the adjuster how your particular record album isn’t a $20 Walmart version but an audiophile grade special issue worth quite a bit more but other than that it went pretty smoothly I had the original Bowers and Wilkins Nautilis 801 speakers and they actually paid $55,000 to replace them with the latest version of the 801 D4 signature I have Safeco insurance, which is owned by liberty mutual I suspect different insurance companies and different policies and different adjusters may make all the difference so everybody check with your insurance agent and insurance company and make sure your policy is for full replacement value |
Wow so sorry for your loss. Hope you are able to replace what's important. Something I started several years ago is a spreadsheet listing every record album and CD I own. I can add notes as necessary to each as needed. Of course pictures is also a good idea and everything saved in the cloud for good measure. |
@amitynick thanks for posting a positive result with an insurance company. Most people only post when they have a negative experiene and then the haters pile on and people hate insurance companies. it isn't always bad. Lets hope the OP has a similar mostly positive experience with insurance. As for limits, you choose how much you want to pay for and many people go with lower limits to save money. that is a personal choice and I see you wish you'd gone with higher limits. Finally, you didn't mention all the priceless things you lost. While you got your insurance coverage worked out, the pain and stress and loss must have been tough. I don't wish that on anybody. Jerry |
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