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catmanager
USA
102 Posts |
 Posted - 10/28/2003 : 17:57:26
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| Ghost is right, not saying there won't be any work (the fat lady hasn't sung), but you can bet the carriers will do everything to keep the big ones to themselves....I went to Los Alamos, NM, a few years ago, and ran into mostly staff guys (I was staff at the time)....of course this CA thing is already bigger than that.. |
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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2003 : 18:28:57
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The Big E Vendor is already headed that way GB. The wheels are in motion. Big Red is supersonic.
CD |
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TedPasan
82 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2003 : 19:07:52
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Ghostbuster is packing firewater and going out if only to see a tail scorcher which makes his Ol' Dragon's Breath look like a cigarette lighter. Now if CD can only steer him away from all that sin in Vegas on the way out.
California here we come! |
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danmeler
25 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2003 : 19:24:37
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| A buddy of mine headed for SoCal today to work large losses (over 100K) through one of the smaller vendors for Farmers. He says Farmers is paying T&E at $75 per hour and expects the structural estimate to be written and closed within 5 days and the billing to be 8 to 16 hours. This includes stick building the dwelling, other structures, and all the related paperwork. He suspects Farmers will handle ALE and contents mostly in house. If all his info is correct...so much for the pot of gold at the end of the I-10. |
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TedPasan
82 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2003 : 22:07:37
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| Damn Dan. Let's say an average of 12 hours at $75 equals $900 x 60% doesn't leave Ol' Ghostbuster much moolah to rent much sin out in Nevada. Now a cheapskate like CD might be able to find something in the bawdy bargain basement for his taste for that kind of money but Ghost you see is a discriminating gentleman. Oh well Ghost, we can always hope for the next big EQ..... |
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Ghostbuster
476 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2003 : 22:14:57
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Now...since there were problems with Hurricane Isabel regarding the lack of, 'Know Before Ya Go' information and some of the group got burned, I think now is a good time to gather and share all of the kinds of information about this fire event. Don't be shy. Let's put it all in the cauldron and analyze what boils to the top.
This means all the fee schedules or daily rates, what vendor is supplying for which carrier, decent places to reside for the long term, gasoline costs, carrier idiosyncracies, vendor quirks, state income tax facts, adjuster licensing, vendor E&O coverage for the adjusters, etc.
We here at your CADO Ministry of Propaganda are always striveing to give you a good day and a better tomorrow. |
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yumadj
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2003 : 20:00:50
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Over 2,000 total losses..figure scorched and heat.and heavy smoke...another 10,000....if ash claims exceed deductible for power wash....or if they want a paint job.....lord have mercy..
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Jeff Finley |
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yumadj
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2003 : 20:15:26
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| they can take a picture of a total loss and pay policy limits...what are they going to do about contents? |
Jeff Finley |
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catmanager
USA
102 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2003 : 22:13:27
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How about some enlightenment from the adjusters who worked Northridge 93or4? I've heard of $800-1200/day back then? I know EQ rates are different (someone explain that philosophy) but these losses one would think should be fairly heavy as well.....
How about a clearer depiction of the CA income tax....And eveyone wonders how AHHnold is going to balance the state budget without raising taxes..... |
Edited by - catmanager on 10/29/2003 22:21:06 |
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bajakarr
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2003 : 23:38:53
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Back in 1991, I handled 42 total losses, working for acrrier. it literally took 3 three years to close the files out... There will be many "issues" to settle down the road - new fire resitive construction will be required where none existed before. The local bulding departments will jerk the architects and engineers around on a monthly basis, constantly changing what acceptable code will be - The insureds will spend at least 6 months ust getting a realistic estimate lined up -and you can throw all of your initial reserve amounts out the window. Scarcity of material and labor will be a major factor. Add to that the fact alot of these homes are built on steep hillsides will cause two problems - The foundations will, in almost every case due to the extreme heat, will have to be replaced. Foundations in the Oakland Hills were running anywhere from 50k to 100k depending on severity of the slope, seismic ties, etc. Don't forget many of the areas burned are right in the San Andreas earthquake fault zone. Seismic considerations on rebuilds, especially on older homes will be substantial. Finally, access itself will be a problem. Narrow roads, steep lots are not dumpster friendly - nor contractor friendly for simple material delvery and storage. All of this being written to say your standard sq ftg rebuild from Swift or the like will not even be close to ther real figures... And of course, California handles ACV as market value so you all better hook up with some speedy Real Estate Appraisers to calculate same - Six months was not unusual in Oakland. Unlike Oakland, at least most of these homes will be new enough to have existing plot plans - all we had generally was a foundation footprint. The contents claim will be lenghty and open to negotiation as most all will be burned of of site.
I guess the point I am slowly getting to is that even 10 total fire cat claims can keep you busy for quite a while... |
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danmeler
25 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2003 : 06:11:38
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| Most of the Northridge EQ adjusters I knew were working on a daily rate and the adjuster's share was about $500, which is about the same as daily rates are now...10 years later. Back then the carriers paid for photos and excessive windshield time. Now they want to pay for nothing (except SF of course, who provides everything). The California income tax will run you somewhere around 9% as I recall. Motel, extended stay, or apartment costs will be extremely high. Traffic will be unbearably time consuming. The Insurance Commissioner will bring a lot of pressure to bear on the carriers and THAT will all run down hill to the adjuster. Law suits will in time become as hot as the fires...don't even think of working this thing without a good E&O policy. This will be unlike any previous event any of us has ever worked in terms of difficulties and risks for the adjuster. Luck to all. |
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Ghostbuster
476 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2003 : 19:29:20
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Here's another piece of crud that may interest you.
Just got a call out of the proverbial blue from some, (and here's where I'm gonna get in trouble with Linda, Jennifer, Cecelia, and who know's who else...but I'm gonna say it anyway), bimbo on her first day on the job with some outfit I never heard of called, American Claim Service. Phone # on the caller ID is 909-944-7274 which is a San Bernadino, California area code. She immediately wants to put lil' ol' me on standby.
Now, I never heard of this bunch. I asked her where they got my name, she says she don't know, it's her first day on the job but she can take my name off the list. I says, maybe you should have your stupidvisor call me. She says she don't know it's just her first day on the job.
This is the kind of thing that is completely wrong to do. For all I know they could be a nest of non-paying vipers. For all they know I could be a serial killer and a chronic non-returner of phone calls. But, Hey! That's Okay! You're on standby! Here is the makings of almost criminal negligence in the proper handling of these fire losses. The more I ponder this call, the more irate I become. Here is yet another example of why a professional trade organization is needed to protect the unwary from the harm coming out of concerns like American Claims in the San Bernadino area code.
Should our paths ever cross, for the physical safety of the owners of American Claims, I warn you now to not make your identity known to me.
For all of us here, I urge you to stay away from any strange company that calls you to offer work.
Take the time to investigate all offers. Find out about the E&O that they should be providing, the amount of the money to be paid to you and when, get as large of an advance as possible, have them provide information on discounted lodging in the area. Get all this in writing before you start packing your truck. Demand that there be adequate files in your basket and have them FAX the face sheet to you to confirm. Get all this information and anything else you can think of. DO NOT WORRY about being tough with them, this is business. More importantly, this is business conducted in Southern California where throat cutting is a way of life, particularly when dealing with out-of-state temporary employees who will disappear after the party is over.
Protect yourself NOW, so you can sleep easier later. |
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TedPasan
82 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2003 : 20:12:04
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Yes Ghostbuster, you're right as usual. And remind folks they better retain Johnnie Cochran before agreeing to go too! He can handle all those throat cutting bas'tids like no one else.
What were his famous words (sumthin or 'nother about not getting paid)? "If they don't remit, they must be sh.."eeeze I can't remember..... |
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danmeler
25 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2003 : 20:15:53
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| Well said Ghost. There will be lots of tricks long after Halloween on THIS cat. |
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olderthendirt
USA
370 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2003 : 21:44:23
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| So Ghost how do you really feel? I remember going ot a small town to work for Company A when the vendor asks several of us to attend a meeting for Company B, making the numbers look good. Old story get as many names as you can and tell the company how many commitments you have, get the files and then worry about who is going to do the work. Thanks to Isobel I can ignore this one, looks like lots of clean up ahead. And the fishing is better here. |
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Update on Fires in California
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