I just lost HALF my tools!

[Old Moparz]

Sorry to read about the fire you had. I've read through a good number of posts & the one thing that stands out to me the most is arguing with the insurance company.

I've had to argue with them when our vehicles were damaged due to other idiots on the road, but I can't imagine how to tackle a problem this big. What makes it even more daunting it just thinking about how to inventory what is in my garage & house. I've been meaning to use my camcorder to do it but just haven't yet.

This kind of topic should be a good wake up call to all of us who've had years & years to gather tools & equipment not actually planning on replacing it.

 

[fflintstone]

I owe you a better picture of the last donation. some SK proto Craftsman and even Snap on goodness.

 

[Oggy]

You got an update for us? I hope you've got some good news by now...

 

[fflintstone]

You got an update for us? I hope you've got some good news by now...

Holy ****! I forgot to post the partial settlement in this thread; I posted it in another thread I put up. A lot of people asked what they could do to protect themselves. So the following thread was the result of that.


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=107105&highlight=fire

Basically after going above my adjuster’s head I was able to get an initial settlement of 75% of the value of the tools.
Thru the wonderful donations and purchases I have replaced 90% of the hand tools. Jeff at Bend Pak gave me a screaming deal on a big compressor. I have my plasma cutter on order. (It is nice to see an American company on full production and backordered)

Although I had not welded since June of last year I thought I was hot **** with a Mig torch in my hand. I took some of the settlement and went to Lincoln electrics welding school. Well I was NOT hot **** but rather warm poo. I learned a lot at the school and with the right machine I am once again hot **** with a Mig torch. The big advantage of taking the class was I get a certificate to get a welder at dealer cost. I picked up a new helmet and welpers there at a great price. If you figure the discount it pretty much covers the cost of the class.
The bad thing is now I NEED a MUCH bigger welder……
I was practicing to take a 3G welding certificate, but could not get the appearance of my cover bead consistent enough. They tested one of my early beads and it didn’t break, but I was having issues standing on my feet all day. After the course of a week I was pretty exhausted.

The knowledge gained was worth the cost of the class, but if you prefer blue welders the coupon would be worthless.


http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/education-center/welding-school/Pages/welding-school.aspx




.

 

[ford33]

I just finished reading your thread for the first time. I feel for you to have lost something valuable and treasured. Owning those personal items for 30+ years and having lost them through a terrible event is heartbreaking.

As I get to the end of this thread it is better to see you recovering. Nice to read that people contributed their tools to help you out. People are nice generally.

Good luck and I wish you well.

 

[fflintstone]

I just finished reading your thread for the first time. I feel for you to have lost something valuable and treasured. Owning those personal items for 30+ years and having lost them through a terrible event is heartbreaking.

As I get to the end of this thread it is better to see you recovering. Nice to read that people contributed their tools to help you out. People are nice generally.

Good luck and I wish you well.

Thanks for the kind words, and welcome to the forum.
The generosity of others has really helped to lift my spirits and renew my faith in mankind.

 

[trust]

I, too, have just read through the entire thread for the first time and echo the sentiments of others. I Hope you can get the closure you need to put this ordeal behind you.

We had a large forest fire get into town 11 years ago which burned 400 odd homes, countless cars, boats, etc and the clear lesson from it was that all insurance companies are NOT created equal. Some have solid integrity and went way above and beyond for their clients, others, well, not so much. Sadly it sounds like yours is in the latter category.

Thankfully last weeks repeat forest fire did not get into town, thanks to the lessons learned from 11 years ago.

Is there anything you still need that one could send to help get you more fully restored?

 

[fflintstone]

I am about 90% done on tools and am leaving in an hour or so for a downstate flee market/tool store/visit friend’s weekend. If someone had a vintage tool they might like me to have I will surly use and cherish it. I have the basics covered but I am sure there are some small specialty tools I will soon miss.

Edit:
I have been using donated tools and ones I have bought and this may sound silly but I feel better using a donated tool.

 

[fflintstone]

Yesterday I received a postcard from my insurance carrier; they want me to call them to discuss “changes to my policy which may result in changes to my premium” I have no intention of renewing my policy with them when due in august.
If anyone can suggest a good carrier or slam a bad one I would like to know. I will publish the results in the “what you can learn from my mistakes thread.
Once this is all over I will slam my company and post the video of my shed burning to the ground.

 

[fflintstone]

When we returned from my whorl wind tool quest flea market trip this gem was waiting for me in the mail. It was great to open as I found no ratchets worth getting on my trip. A nice SnapOn 3/8 flex head. This is the 14th donation I have received.




Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[ptschram]

If anyone can suggest a good carrier or slam a bad one I would like to know.

Erie canceled me because I had a CCW permit. I received the cancellation almost immediately after applying. Shortly thereafter, I received a bill from Erie.

I refused to pay it, they sued me, I counter-sued, they dropped the case.

Now, I get to tell every future insurance company I might wish to do business with that, yes, I was canceled by an insurance company when applying for insurance.

 

[fflintstone]

Erie canceled me because I had a CCW permit. I received the cancellation almost immediately after applying. Shortly thereafter, I received a bill from Erie.

I refused to pay it, they sued me, I counter-sued, they dropped the case.

Now, I get to tell every future insurance company I might wish to do business with that, yes, I was canceled by an insurance company when applying for insurance.

Yes, I was told that I will be cancelled as soon as I file the lawsuit. I plan on procuring new insurance before I file the suit. I am sure it will make getting insurance harder, and maybe more expensive from now on.

 

[fflintstone]

I have been truly blessed to receive gifts from around the country. Well now I can say around the world. A member from the other side of the pond had a nice ½” WRIGHT 4426 ratchet sent to me. Just like the 3/8” WRIGHT received earlier, I consider this ratchet to be bomb proof. Once again thanks to all the generous, people who have helped me build a wonderful tool collection.
I will post up a picture as soon as I find my camera; it is currently MIA from our small trip yesterday.

 

[fflintstone]

as promissed here is a picture of the badboy!



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[ptschram]

Yes, I was told that I will be cancelled as soon as I file the lawsuit. I plan on procuring new insurance before I file the suit. I am sure it will make getting insurance harder, and maybe more expensive from now on.

I wasn't canceled for threat of a suit, I was canceled because their background check turned up that I had a CCW permit.

They stated that their was a risk there would be firearms at the place of business. I told them it was legal for me to do so.

 

[fflintstone]

I wasn't canceled for threat of a suit, I was canceled because their background check turned up that I had a CCW permit.

They stated that their was a risk there would be firearms at the place of business. I told them it was legal for me to do so.

Yes, I understand that your company cancelled YOU because your a red blodded amearican gun nut.
I am told that MY company will cancell ME once I sue them, because I am one of the dilusional americans that actualy expect to get what I paid for.

 

[chrommagman]

That *****!!! I am sorry that is happened.
But at least you can start a new. But lets hope your insurance doesn't **** on you!!

Sorry for your loss !!

 

[fflintstone]

That *****!!! I am sorry that is happened.
But at least you can start a new. But lets hope your insurance doesn't **** on you!!
Sorry for your loss !!

Thanks for the sentiment.
I too might not read all these pages about something like this, but the insurance co did indeed **** on me. Unfortunately they had been eating nothing but taco bell and white castle for the week prior.

 

[chrommagman]

Sorry it was my bad!! I didn't read all the pages ...

 

[ptschram]

Yes, I understand that your company cancelled YOU because your a red blodded amearican gun nut.
I am told that MY company will cancell ME once I sue them, because I am one of the dilusional americans that actualy expect to get what I paid for.

I'm in good company!

 

[fflintstone]

I'm in good company!

yes, you are.

 

[digdug18]

I haven't logged onto the thread in awhile. I'm very sorry to see that your still going through this mess after 3 months. I would have guessed that it wouldn't have taken this long, but I guess it is just teaching all of us a valuable lesson.

 

[fflintstone]

I received another care package today from a journal member. A great set of USA craftsman stubby wrenches. THANK YOU!
We had just come back from talking to an agent about a new policy, and we received some dismal news. This was a great pick me up! we are heading out of town for a week. And I will post up more info in the insurance thread when I get back.
Thank you to everyone who has made this a little easier for me.

 

[camarotoolman]

Sorry about that fire. When you get ready to repace your stuff get in touch, I have lots of good usa tools at a fair price new and used.

 

[fflintstone]

The generosity and camaraderie of the people in the tool community, has truly amazed me and also really renewed my faith in mankind. People who believe in God say he has a plan for everything. Spiritual people may believe the things happen for a reason, or Karma or what have you. I don’t know why my tools that made up a good portion of what my self worth WAS, burned up. What I do know is the following.
I was very depressed before the fire happened. It was surreal for a week or so afterwards. As sickened as I was though; I immediately started looking for tools online, comparing prices, picking the best values. I bought stuff using the savings I already had.
I got myself in some trouble, but it worked out. When the first tool donation arrived it was like manna from heaven. When the vintage speeder arrived. I wept like a child. Many of the people who have donated have told me that God told them to send the donation. People, who may not believe, have said they felt like “they need to send it”.
For most of my life I have never really enjoyed donating stuff, it was always something I was “supposed” to do. Even when we started volunteering at the food bank long before the fire, I didn’t get too much out of it, accept when a vet would come thru and I would sneak him an extra bag of food. Now donating, volunteering, etc. has a new joy to it.
I do not have the same tools as I had before the fire. I did not replace any of the electronic home inspection tools I had. Nor the septic inspection tools. There were a lot of other things not replaced. The building is not rebuilt yet. I do however have a much better toolbox and a better set of mechanics tools. I have more and way better ratchets than I previously had. I have a much better welder and a more efficient plasma cutter. I have enough funds to build the shed and buy a few more tools but not the excess I was hoping for. Had I not received the many donations I would be much further behind. I may have lost the window for the lawsuit.
When donated tools arive it is a lot like reliving a childhood Christmas. Today’s joy includes a ½” drive Plomb breaker bar, and a 3/8” Plomb ratchet, new tools are 3/8 and ½ Toptul ratchet adapters.
THANKYOU!!!!!

 

[HICKS]

What caused this fire?

 

[Foxxtrot]

I apologize. I haven't read through the entire thread. Even so, I think this says a lot about the insurance industry. Having been in the restoration business for almost 20 years and I am used to the way an insurance company treats a loss. The reality is, THEY DO NOT WORK FOR YOU. They are a business, and a profitable one at that. They are not interested in paying out any more than they think they have to. For every one story of someone who had a good experience, I can tell you twenty stories of people who have had bad ones. As has been suggested in earlier posts, spend the time to document EVERYTHING and be sure your policy includes coverage for your items. If you don't have construction experience, be sure that someone that does verifies the coverage on your buildings, especially if they are not connected to the main house.
To the OP, I am sorry for your loss, but very happy that the community has helped you get back what you lost.

 

[BlueRock]

Hi, I've been following this thread for a while now and it's great to see so many people help you out with replacement tools.

Any up-date on your insurance claim and/or are you yet able to share with us how the fire started?

 

[fflintstone]

Hi, I've been following this thread for a while now and it's great to see so many people help you out with replacement tools.

Any up-date on your insurance claim and/or are you yet able to share with us how the fire started?

The insurance paid me 75% of what everything was worth. I replaced most and upgraded some of the tools. I made a decision not to replace everything.
I have more and better tools, tool storage, plasma cutter and MIG welder than before.
My oxy/ac set up pails but I seldom gas weld. I am still shy little **** like a cylinder hone ETC.

In Michigan they call the insurance full replacement cost, but it is not. They will only give you “actual cash value” the extra premium just raises the ceiling on how much they will pay out.

As to the cause you can rule out arson.

In case you did not catch it in another thread I had a second fire which also destroyed a lean to storage building and all the contents. Including stuff that was just bought to replace things lost in the first fire.
As to the cause of the second fire, I am not ruling out arson. (Although thankfully for me the authorities are)
Dollar wise the second fire was a much bigger loss as it took out 3 project jeeps and about 30K worth of auto parts. My insurance caps auto parts at $1,000.
When I get the initial check for the second fire I will consult a lawyer about the unpaid portion of both claims.

In short it ***** to be me sometimes…

 

[Nighttrain]

So whats causing these fires you have had? oily rags bad electrical. Just asking to learn from your bad fortune.

 

[fflintstone]

So whats causing these fires you have had? oily rags bad electrical. Just asking to learn from your bad fortune.

I still can’t comment on my theory of the first fire.

My opinion of the second fire is a hunter next door flicked a cigarette into the weeds. This is a theory shared by other but not anyone who’s opinion maters.

Truly the best answer is I don’t know, and will never know.

The only thing you can learn from this is check your insurance coverage.
And make safe choices around the shop.

I posted a thread titled something like “what to learn from my mistakes in the fire” it covers my thoughts on the matter.