I think what a lot of folks are confused about is Alaska in the Interior is very dry with little or no humidity which the colder states have. That and we have very little to no snow due to that same humidity and thus lack of blizzards.

Hi angel
Thanks for the explanation.

Kelly

Yes, Sandy.

I have inquired several times.  One time I was very pleased as the person I was talking to said he was sure that wouldn't be a problem.  After a long wait, he returned and said it wasn't possible.  So, I just am sticking with what I have.  I don't do much else in the way of entertainment, so what I pay is for my enjoyment.  I spend a lot of time on the computer and also watch a lot of tv.

I think if you use a cell phone as your main phone it is easier to do.  I still want my landline, but a lot of residents where I live just have a cell phone.  I do have a cell phone that I do take with me if I go out, but it really is just for emergencies.  The times that I do go out, I am usually with someone who has a cell phone, so I just don't have to depend on mine.  I keep it charged just in case, tho.

I am at a point and an age,  where I don't  "do change" very well.  Kind of stick to my old ways.

Thanks for asking, tho.

Joy

I need to vent before I blow up!  In December, we came home from an out of town doctor's appointment to find our house had turned into a sauna.  The pipe on top of the hot water tank had sprung a leak and had spewed hot water onto the ceiling most of the day.  When we got home, water was running down our living room and bedroom walls. The ceiling tiles in the bathroom were on the floor floating in a couple inches of water, and the adjoining bedroom ceiling was soaked.  The steam had traveled through the vents and the condensation buildup on the vents was absorbed by the surrounding tiles. We called the insurance company who told us to get a professional crew to clean up and dry the house out.  The crew showed up about 3 hours later and set up heaters and dehumidifiers.  We moved  to our daughter's house.  For five days those heaters ran and I would meet the cleanup crew and let them in the house to remove the damaged ceilings in 5 rooms.  They would lock up when they left and we would check on the house later that evening.  On the 5th day, the company was coming to remove the machines and I noticed lights were on when I entered the house.  Then I noticed the bathroom window was open.  There was no sign of forced entry and we figure one of the workers had left the window unlocked and came back during the night and cleaned out my husband's gun cabinet.  The police came, dusted for fingerprints, made out a report and found a few small items the thieves had dropped in the back yard.  There were fresh tire tracks in the alley where they had parked.  They took a total of 10 weapons, a jar full of loose change, some pain pills I had left from knee surgery, and they had opened a dozen or so Christmas presents looking for money.  We made it through the clean up stage and then the restoration stage and were just beginning to relax when the letter from our insurance arrived telling us that our policy is non-renewable due to claims that were not from natural causes.  We have done business with this company for over 50 years --both home and auto insurance.  Enough!  We have been shopping for new policies today and will sign the papers tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to telling the former agent I am cancelling everything with them and will expect my refund check shortly.  Thanks for allowing me to vent. I feel some better now!

JEANE LEE, THANK YOU SO MUCH. 

I am so very sorry about all that, Andie.  Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad luck.  If I were you, I would take the time and trouble to look up the name and snail mail address of the President of that insurance company and write them a blistering letter (with none of the language younger generations use in public these days;  show you are a Lady!) telling all.  Send a copy to the Agent in charge at your local company, as well, and to the Chairman of the Board.  But direct it to the President.  It will not only make you feel a whole lot better, but it may bring pleasing results.  Or not.

With a copy to the local paper or perhaps a insurance consumer service.

I have had Comcast for quite a few years now.  Never have much problem with them. I am lucky though because they have a maintenance office just down the street and a business office.  I don't bother on the phone because you would just find yourself in Asia.  I do my complaining eyeball to eyeball. They usually fix thing within 24 hours.

Joan, no problem.  I'm just glad I could help.   

Something that always brings a tear to my eye, or at least always did when my eyes could produce tears, but these days only makes me FEEL like crying, is the matter of my dear little Mama trying to get a new telephone when hers died.  This was AFTER Judge Green broke up AT&T and said there had to be competition in the telephone business.

So all the AT&T phone companies had to break up.  And the result was that there was no way you could get the complete and highly satisfactory services you could once get.  Oh, the new companies competed like mad for your business, promising the moon on a silver platter and then some.

But they put all of their profits into public relations aimed to snag your business and had no money left for YOU!

So my sweet li'l old mama had recently gone into a retirement home.  She had a lot of old friends there, but it was principally for the assisted living and nursing help that she went.  And her phone died.  Now, back in the day, when your phone died you just called your good old local phone company (owned by AT&T) and asked for a new one.  Within a day or two, I swear, a technician would show up and install the new one for you and make off with the old one.  Not this time!  They told Mama they no longer performed this service since the break up.  Told her she had to take the phone in to a new AT&T store and she could buy a new one.  She explained she was sick, was on oxygen, and no longer drove.  Couldn't they take care of her under these circumstances?

They were sorry, but no, they could not.  Mama cried.  So did I.  Someone handled it for her within the week;  I've forgotten who.  But it just shows to go you how AT&T had to cut out the wonderful complete service they HAD been delivering in order to advertise to compete with their new competition.  Scheesch!  Give the public A BREAK!

Hi Andie
So sorry to read the problems you had.

Do you have that we call in the UK an Ombudsman.

Perhaps you might call them an sort of official who is appointed to investigate individuals' complaints against maladministration, in relation maybe to those who offer a service.

As the Insurance company do, did the quality of their service or their product meet the expectations of their customer.

Kelly

 Joy, I don't do "change" well either, and this last move really took a lot of spark out of me. I have given up on posting pictures too. Have tried everything I have been told and only end up frustrated. I did try what you suggested, but it wasn't accepted. I do thank you for your attempt to help me. Maybe my problem is having an iMac instead of a PC.

Oh, Andie….my heart goes out to you my dear. Double trouble too with the Insurance Co. backing away. I wonder if it would be worthwhile to seek legal help against the Ins. Co. I really feel so badly for you. Thank God you have a daughter to turn too.

Thank you everyone for the comments and suggestions.  I didn't realize it was so hard for seniors to get insured.  It was pointed out to us today that with all the fires, floods, blizzards and  tornadoes, home insurance has just about run out of money and that premiums will increase until the companies can recoup some of their losses. Looks like we'll be helping out in that department!

Andie, if you have AAA in your area check them out for your homeowners and car insurance, here in Texas they have more than reasonable rates.  I run into the same problem with car insurance as you did with your homeowners.  My wife had a small accident, no damage to our car and slight damage to the other car, she backed into it, anyhow Allstate almost doubled our insurance.  And I had been with them for over 25 years.  I finally found out AAA who I had insurance with forever sent me some literature that they were offering car and home insurance and I couldn't believe how inexpensive they were.  Oh, and they write the policies for a year not six months.

I pay my insurance by the year.  Always have done.  I have Erie Insurance.  State Farm and Allstate have poor reputations according to the statistical charts I have seen. Check it out on line.  Erie covers me for both Auto and Renters Insurance..

Thanks Angel.

Quote from: Joy on April 04, 2016, 03:39:42 PM
Yes, Sandy.

I have inquired several times.  One time I was very pleased as the person I was talking to said he was sure that wouldn't be a problem.  After a long wait, he returned and said it wasn't possible.  So, I just am sticking with what I have.  I don't do much else in the way of entertainment, so what I pay is for my enjoyment.  I spend a lot of time on the computer and also watch a lot of tv.

................

I am at a point and an age,  where I don't  "do change" very well.  Kind of stick to my old ways.

Thanks for asking, tho.

Joy

Joy, anytime I've gotten near changing cable companies because they had done something stupid, they were going to charge me $40. to port the old number. Under the excuse of the other company 'owning' the number.

I don't do change very well either. And since I'm old, I may have to do it, but nobody can tell me I have to like it.

How awful, Andie. So sorry to read.

Don't forget to report the company to the Better Business Bureau and go to all the sites that offer reviews of businesses and put up negative reviews. Yelp is a good one, businesses read there.

How did you get the name of the professional crew?

Hi Everyone
There has been a lot of flooding in UK areas over the winter and more so in the past few years.

I watched this man talking about the amount he had to pay for repairs after the flooding.  But he also said his house insurance had gone up  double and with no flood cover payments in future.

And it seems that might affect many others who are caught in the floods.

Kelly

It had occurred to me ages ago when I first read the climate scientists reports (for instance, "Field Notes from a Catastrophe" by Elizabeth Kolbert) about coming mega storms due to the oceans warming and great flooding all along our coastlines as those same seas rise, and then later as I saw their predictions come true right before my eyes both as I watched my evening news reports and as I saw canoes riding the waves on our own Main Street here in Annapolis, that the insurance companies were going to have to start refusing coverage in both the coastline regions and up tornado alley in the mid west.  I mean, how many times can you rebuild a house?  Now I am expecting the populace most affected to request coverage from the government (we taxpayers), and THEN the debate will light up the airways and involve full public attention.  Now that I am surprised just to wake up each morning, I am curious as to how much of this I will live to see and hear.

We have AAA insurance also for my car and homeowners insurance.  We were with Allstate for 30+ years and it got to the point I almost had to take out a loan to pay the premiums each year (never had a claim).

Last year we had a leaky pipe behind the shower wall in the upstairs bathroom which leaked and did quite a bit of water damage upstairs as well as in my bathroom downstairs.  AAA paid it without a murmur and didn't jack up the renewal premium this year.

Mary

Andie, may I make one more surggestion? No one has mentioned the state Insurance Commission. I am not sure if this applies to all states, but many states register and license insurances companies to opperate in their state. Some types of coverage is mandated by the state and insurance companies are required by law to provide that coverage. Send a complaint to your state insurance commission. If it doesn't help you in the short term, it will be on record for when the commission reviews and relicenses the company. Too many complaints about a certain coverage or non-coverage raises redflags with the politicos. And yes, do write to the president of the company. Don't forget to mention that you have filed a compaint with your state.

My last insurance was when I tripped across
country and ended up in the State of
Washington.   

I  got AAA coverage,  also and was very very
surprised at how reasonable  they were
compared to other companies.

Happy Tuesday,  Everyone!
Sandy
   

 

Good morning Sandy, while a good afternoon here!

Kelly

Quote from: MarsGal on April 05, 2016, 08:44:48 AM
Andie, may I make one more surggestion? No one has mentioned the state Insurance Commission. I am not sure if this applies to all states, but many states register and license insurances companies to opperate in their state. Some types of coverage is mandated by the state and insurance companies are required by law to provide that coverage. Send a complaint to your state insurance commission. If it doesn't help you in the short term, it will be on record for when the commission reviews and relicenses the company. Too many complaints about a certain coverage or non-coverage raises redflags with the politicos. And yes, do write to the president of the company. Don't forget to mention that you have filed a compaint with your state.

Another good suggestion, Andie.

Also, share the name of the insurance company here. The more who know, the better. Plus, if any of us find a site of interest on your company, we'll report back.

Finally, if they are like car companies, there will be a Regional Manager overseeing the local branch. But be sure to report them to the State Insurance Commission, as MarsGal noted, and the FTC (yes, they do respond, I know this for a fact) and the Attorney General.

And don't forget to report the misdeeds of the professional cleaners. By all means, share their name too, so we can all look for complaints against them.

Do not go away quietly, that is what these shysters want you to do.

My dad had Liberty Mutual for both our house and car so when he died, I continued.  When I was 73, they jacked up my premium by $200.  I called to see if it was because I was 73 and they said no, that was the regular price.  Norm's neighbor worked for Auto Owners and he suggested I see what their rates were.  They were maybe $400 less so I went with them.  Oh, Libery Mutual at the time I moved did not cover condos so I ended up covering both car and condo with Auto Owners.  The funny part was shortly after I changed, I got a post card from the agent at Liberty Mutual congratulating me on 50 years with Liberty Mutual (that included Dad's years too).  I didn't bother to respond to LM.  Since I just sold my car and won't own another one, I don't have auto insurance now, but I can say they always treated me well.  Tom had an accident a year ago with my car and there were no questions as to their paying to have the car fixed.  I will say that Liberty Mutual was always good to deal with too. 

Andie, I think it is awful the way you were treated.  I think everyone has given you good advice and I hope you are able to follow through.

Mary Ann

Good Morning Everyone,
from the cool but very sunny, 
rocky coast of Maine. 

The forecast is looking great..  In
just a couple more days,  the temps will
be headed up to more Spring like
temps...   

I love this time of the year  when we
have late Spring,  Summer and Fall to
look forward too.

Have a Great Day,  Everyone!
Sandy

Good Morning from a very warm and sunny Interior! Spring has definitely sprung here!

Bubble, you're welcome even if I'm not exactly sure what you're thanking me for.


MaryPage, you spoke of waters rising and there has also been shown a direct correlation between fracking and earthquakes in some states. Greed has no boundaries it seems.

I hope everyone is having a good morning!

Hi everyone on a fine, sunny and reasonably warm morning with the expectation of seeing it get to around 68 degrees today.  Nothing yet scheduled for today  We may check out the new Aldi's today.  We will continue our preparations for my sister and BIL's visit starting late tomorrow afternoon or early evening.  The tech from the star lift company was here yesterday around noon and checked everything out.  He did find one of the battery connectors was probably not making good contact so fixed it and things seem to be working OK now. 

Mary Ann, throughout my work life I was paid every two weeks and then when I retired it took awhile to adjust to the once a month retirement check.  However, after over 20 years of retirement I am used to. 

MaryPage, we are so used to the Internet working when we want it to that we almost go through withdrawal when it isn't working.  Glad the problem was quickly fixed with the new modem.

Bubble, glad your modem is working at least sometimes. 

deedee, sorry I hadn't picked up that it was Patricia who had that dreadful experience with the needle.    FYI, a modem is what receives the internet signal into your home and the router part broadcasts that signal wirelessly though out your home. 

MaryTX, the equipment used to provide the internet connections to our homes seems to constantly change.  We use Dish Satellite for our TV and we used to lose the signal about anytime it rained.  However, here we haven't had much of that problem unless the rain is very heavy. 

Patricia, sorry that I had not read carefully enough and thought it was deedee that had been shopping. 

MarsGal, I think so of these techs are so poorly trained that they just replace equipment when there is another problem. 

Sandy, cities usually grant a franchise to one cable company or another and receive monetary benefit from that agreement. 

Andie, you sure have sufficient reasons to vent here and glad we could at least be here for you.  Insurance companies are good at either raising your rates or cancelling you after they have to pay a claim. 

Quote from: larryhanna on April 05, 2016, 11:02:11 AM
Sandy, cities usually grant a franchise to one cable company or another and receive monetary benefit from that agreement. 

And we end up having to pay and pay and pay
because  they essentially  have a monopoly, 
which leaves us here in apartments,  with no
chance to choose  a less costly way to have the
benefits of cable TV.

I can't help complaining... sorry...   
Someday I may have to cut the cord.   
But I hope not for a long long while.

Otherwise,   EVERYTHING is GREAT!
Sandy