Re: Evacuees face hurdles with insurance claims following Garden Grove chemical tank crisis

Pelosi Goes To prison <[email protected]> wrote in 
news:[email protected]:

> GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (KABC) -- Residents forced to evacuate parts of
> Orange County last month after a chemical tank crisis in Garden Grove
> say they are struggling to recover out-of-pocket costs, with some
> insurance claims quickly denied. 
> 
> A fund created to support about 50,000 affected residents has stopped
> accepting applications after receiving more than 6,000 requests,
> according to the Orange County United Way. 
> 
> With that option closed, many evacuees have turned to their insurance
> providers - with mixed results. 
> 
> On May 22, authorities ordered evacuations after firefighters warned
> that a tank holding toxic chemicals at GKN Aerospace could explode or
> spill, putting lives at risk. Among those affected was Jeff Goddard of
> Cypress, who fled with his family. 
> 
> "I'm married. I have a wife, three kids, we have animals and so trying
> to find a place where you can actually go on such short notice on a
> holiday weekend? Not very easy," Goddard said. 
> 
> The family secured a hotel in Manhattan Beach, where they stayed for
> four nights until it was safe to return home. Between lodging and food,
> they spent just under $2,000. 
> 
> "You're trying to get back to normal life and so then you start looking
> into some of the different things you're going to do," Goddard said. 
> 
> At first, he tried to access community funds promoted by city leaders
> but was unsuccessful. 
> 
> "We sat on hold for like three hours and then never ended up getting
> through so it was a little frustrating," he said. 
> 
> Goddard then reviewed his renters insurance policy and found a
> loss-of-use clause, noting that explosions were listed among covered
> perils. He expected his claim to be approved. 
> 
> "Literally within a day, we got a call back from the adjuster, 
explained
> our case to them and within five minutes of explaining the case, they
> said, 'Oh, well you're denied. Sorry,'" he said. 


     
   "The large print giveth,
  the small print taketh away"
  Tom Waits, 1974