What is more important after a loss, having
a copy of your policy right away, even if you gotta cough
up $10 (what some of you would spend on a hamburger) or hassling
with your agent, who may take a couple of days, weeks or even
never, to get you a copy of your policy.
And what if the only "policy" your
agent can readily get for you is a "Declarations Page",
a single sheet of paper with only the dollar limits of coverage.
And what if he can't get the endorsements? Just
one endorsement can make or break a claim.
You need that policy booklet from
day one after a loss. Even if that policy
is from another state, it is better than nothing. Why? Because
it gives you a clue on what to ask for. Even if your policy
does not cover what that other one does, you at least force
the adjuster to affirm or deny the coverage. Now that adjuster
has to decide if he or she is going to willfully lie to you
from the beginning
of the claim.
In fact, most auto and home policies in most
states are 95% identical.
All homeowner policies derive from and include the language
and concepts from the 1943 New York Standard Fire Policy (which
is also included in most states insurance statutory laws).
Don't be "Penny
Wise, Pound ..."
If you can get a copy of your policy from day
one, then God bless you. But if not, don't worry about $10.00
when your $100,000 house just burned down.
Ron Cercone
