Devestating......

[paysensmom]

My dad's garage burned down yesterday. He is a mechanic and has collecting tools for the past 30 years, mostly from Snap-on.

He had everything from machine shop stuff, a paint booth, hoist (sp), almost everything you could imagine. He did it all....

He switched insurance companies a few years ago and the company said they were going to write the same policy and took a copy of the one they had. Well, they didnt!!

My dad went today to file the claim and they told him that his tools were only covered for $1,500

To replace everything in his garage would cost well over $100,000.

I am looking for any guidance or advice, thoughts ideas......anything you might have. IS there ANYthing I can do to try to help him or get anyone else to help him? Maybe a charity concert or, I don't know. I am just very much hurting for him. It truly would have been so much better if it was the house. This is the worst thing that could happen to him besides one of us dying. He does a lot of work at home and always has to keep him and my mom afloat. Now he doesnt even have the means or a place do to it.

 

[StephMK]

Does he have anything in writing from them telling him they were going to cover everything on his expiring policy? Or similar quote, anything that would indicate he thought he was getting the same coverage? What was the agency's response when they told him he didn't have coverage?

A claims person could probably be more help but I think if he has something showing he was expecting the same coverage, he should be able to work with the agency. An agency will have E&O coverage that covers claims due to their errors. I don't have experience on that end of things but I have worked for agencies that have had to file & pay out claims based on the errors of their employees. Good luck, I'm so sorry!!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

If the new company wrote the policy/coverage the wrong way, their error would be covered by an Error & Omission policy as StephMK said. It's probably not something they'll readily admit, or easily admit. Any paperwwork he might have on the coverage, any handwritten notes, emails, etc. will be very important.

 

[Ember]

I have nothing to say to help, but I am so so sorry for your dad.

 

[mousebymarriage]

I am so sorry

 

[Pixiedust34]

I don't have any advice, but I'm sorry to hear about the loss of so many valuable items.

 

[tileman]

Wow sorry to hear. Good luck

Just glad nobody got hurt.

 

[Swimalie]

No advice but I'm sorry to hear what happened.

 

[mom2boys77]

We lost our whole house almost 2 months ago to a fire so I know exactly how you feel. I don't have any advice about the insurance just wanted to say how sorry I am.

 

[dex08]

No advice but very sorry.

 

[kwhite1022]

I dont know if snap on has the same policy as kraftsman, but when my dads barn burnt down, all they had to do was take the burnt tools to a kraftsman dealer and they were replaced for free.

 

[tileman]

Here's link to snap-on tools

http://www1.snapon.com/display/termsofsale.nws

 

[Windjammer]

He should not just accept what the insurance company said. He should hire a lawyer who can look into the insurance coverage issues.

 

[labdogs42]

Has he been paying the insurance company for the coverage? I would think if he has been paying them for the kind of coverage he was supposed to have, they will need to pay up.

 

[chisnpeke]

No advice but I'm so sorry.

 

[Lionqueen2]

I am so sorry that this happened to your father. Perhaps your father should contact a lawyer to help him resolve this.

 

[Jennasis]

I echo the "get a lawyer" sentiment.

 

[sbell111]

Given that he had $100,000 worth of tools in his garage, I'm shocked that he never checked his policy's limits.

 

[Jennasis]

Given that he had $100,000 worth of tools in his garage, I'm shocked that he never checked his policy's limits.

You'd continue to be shocked at how many people own valuable things but never bother to check and see if they're covered under their insurance. My father owns an insurance company and runs into this all the time. He tries to make sure he very clearly explains the limits of the coverage people buy, but some folks just don't listen or like to assume or just don't bother to check. However there are always cases like this that slip through the crack. Very sad, but hopefully a lot of persistence will get it sorted out.

 

[agnes!]

Hire a lawyer. And I am so sorry for the loss through fire of so many valuable items.

Here's the "Professional-Use" Warranty from the Snap-On website. They don't specifically state that they *will* replace their tools, but it never hurts to take the surviving tools to a dealer or asking the company directly.

3. Warranty – Professional Use for Products. Snap-on warrants to Customers who purchase Product from authorized Snap-on distribution channels for use in their profession that Snap-on® brand Products and Blue-Point® brand Products will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a duration described in each Product's warranty code. The warranty duration depends upon the nature of the Product. If the Product information for purchased Product does not include a warranty statement with the applicable duration or prior to a Product purchase, Customer can obtain the Product warranty code and warranty duration from a selling Snap-on dealer or representative or by writing Snap-on at the address provided at the end of this warranty statement. Consumable Products are warranted, at the time of sale, only against defects in workmanship or materials that prevent their use. Consumable products are goods reasonably expected to be used up or damaged during use, including but not limited to drill bits, saw blades, grinding discs, sanding discs, knife blades, files, O2 sensors and batteries. This warranty only extends to the original Customer and cannot be transferred or assigned.
During the applicable duration of the warranty, at its option, Snap-on will repair or replace its Products which fail to give satisfactory service due to defective workmanship or materials, or provide a refund by repaying or crediting Customer with an amount equal to the purchase price of such Products. Repair, replacement or refund shall be at the election and expense of Snap-on, and is Customer's exclusive remedy in place of all other rights and remedies. To obtain warranty service, return products to Snap-on or a Snap-on dealer. By repairing or replacing a Product, or providing a refund, Snap-on does not waive a claim that a Product nevertheless has been subject to abnormal use.
In addition to any limitations outlined in warranty statements provided with the Product, Snap-on does NOT provide any warranty for (1) products labeled other than Snap-on or Blue-Point or (2) products subjected to "abnormal use". Products that are not labeled Snap-on or Blue-Point are subject to the warranty provided by the manufacturers of those products and Snap-on will pass along any such warranties. "Abnormal use" includes misuse, accident, modification, unreasonable use, abuse, neglect, lack of maintenance, use in product-related service, or use after the product is significantly worn. Abnormal use of tool storage units also includes, without limitation, situations when a unit is pulled using a mechanical vehicle, rolled over large drops, used in a highly corrosive environment, used as a step stool, modified with non-Snap-on parts, overloaded or modified in any way.

And make sure that lawyer has experience dealing with insurance companies.

agnes!