[TowerTalk] insurance claims

[Cqtestk4xs at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/29/04 5:41:10 PM Greenwich Standard Time, 
w8ji at contesting.com writes:
When I have a small claim under a few thousand dollars, I
just pay it. The savings in my policy premiums from having a
high deductible help offset any payouts from my own pocket,
so I basically stay even.
In Florida, the main hazard we are concerned with is the hurricane and we 
MUST maintain a big deductable. It is just about impossible to get lower than a 
two to five percent deductible for hurricane insurance in Florida.  The 
hurricane insurance is generally a separate insurance policy from the regular policy 
and carries an extra premium.

That two to five percent deductible can extend well into the five digit 
range.  Now multiply that figure by three storms, which is what some people got hit 
with down here.

Lots of hams down here never did get to the threshold of the deductible and 
just ate several thousand in tower damage, not by choice, but by the way 
insurance is written down here.

I sustained lots of damage to my antennas, from the storms, but did not claim 
it, since you can bet you butt I would have been up for a cancellation and 
thrown into the non-desirable pool.  The pool is covered by a Florida State 
subsidized company that charges maxi rates and provide mini service.  At least I 
can get coverage on my towers, three miles south of me my company doesn't 
insure towers or antennas.

We are waiting for the mass exodus of insurance companies wanting to leave FL 
this spring.  At the moment the companies are barred from leaving for six 
months and must renew all policies, auto and home included until then.  After 
that, it will be interesting.

Bill K4XS