November 20, 2008
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A Victory & A Dilemma
A month ago, I wrote about another home I own that had been burglarized. For the past month, I’ve been going round and round with Farmer’s Insurance about my claim. Even though I had faithfully paid my premiums, they chose not to pay my claim because of a fine print loophole that said I was liable if the property had been vacant for more than 30 days. Besides, disputing their fuzzy math and the 30 day claim, I made it quite clear to them that not paying the claim would be the WRONG thing to do:
Carey Anthony
Burglary
From: Carey Anthony
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 10:24 AM
To: Property Manager
Subject: Burglary Farmer’s Insurance called me this morning to say they’re not covering anything, because the house was vacant for more than 30 days at the time of the robbery. This is absurd. Unless you have another suggestion, I am writing a strongly worded letter to let them know they had better review this again and do the right thing. Please advise. –Carey
From: Property Manager Thu, Oct 30, 2008 at 11:19 AM To: Carey AnthonyI received a copy of the letter they issued. I love the insurance industry, they love to take your money and then give you no return on your money when something goes wrong.
We will lay the carpet and will hold off on the stove purchase until I receive an approved application. I will lease with the stove only and any new tenant will have to provide their on refrigerator or stove. Thanks…K
From: Carey Anthony Fri, Oct 31, 2008 at 11:38 AM To: Wes Roberts – Farmer’s InsuranceMr. Roberts, As I stated on the phone, your calculations regarding the vacancy of my property do not add up. Furthermore, even if it was vacant for 30 days, why should that invalidate my insurance? We have a contract. I pay my premiums and you insure my property. It is reprehensible that your industry must resort to hidden loopholes and chicanery to deny your customers in good standing the services they rightfully paid for. We live in an Information Age of unprecedented power of the people. With a few clicks of a mouse, I can ensure that the phrase “Farmer’s Insurance Customer Service” comes up with an extremely damning series of hits on Google. I have already provided you with links to blog posts about other companies that have dared to infringe on my rights as a law abiding consumer. I trust you don’t want to end up like Honda of Hollywood, or eFax. Now stop playing games with me and please do the right thing. It’s the 21st century, and you can no longer act like greedy corporate robber baron’s and get away with it anymore. The reason I pay you premiums is to protect me against this type of loss. Thank you.
Last week, they sent me a certified letter, which I refused to sign for, and sent back to them. (I don’t do snail mail!) Then yesterday, I got this voice mail on my cell phone (click the play button):
Voicemail You’ll Love
Share this …I won!! Not only are they paying for the stolen refrigerator, stove, washer, dryer, carpet, and damaged garage door. They’re also reimbursing me one month’s lost rent for the nonsense they put me through the last 6 weeks. (I didn’t even ask for that!). So, THANK YOU Farmer’s Insurance for doing the right thing. You have shown that corporate America can put their customer’s needs ahead of profit (albeit with some threats from the blogosphere). I will continue to do business with you and I hope that you have learned a valuable lesson. LOL.
Now for the dilemma:
Since the burglary, I haven’t been able to rent the house. In this economy, it’s not proving to be easy. We’ve been showing it for weeks with no luck This morning, I got a call from my Property Manager. She told me that she had a girl who really wanted to rent the house. However, her income alone was not sufficient. She worked at a grocery store, and didn’t make enough to pay the rent. So she wanted her boyfriend to be on the the lease with her. We ran a background check on the boyfriend and he’s got a felony on his record for selling marijuana and a pending case for selling cocaine! My property management company has a policy not to rent to convicted felons, but since it’s been so hard to rent, she wanted to know if I wanted to make an exception. Apparently the girl has a baby, and is currently living in a very bad area of town and wants to get away from all of that. The boyfriend hasn’t been convicted of the cocaine charge yet, and they really want to make a fresh start.
My first reaction was no, absolutely not. The property manager told me to take a week to think about it, but the more I do, the more I think it’s a bad idea. Of course, the longer it’s not rented, the more money comes out of my pocket to pay the mortgage. What do you think? The house is in Oklahoma City, OK of all all places. It’s a brand new, single family home. So if anyone reading this lives in Oklahoma City and needs a house to rent, let me know. Please don’t be a drug addict!
Comments (26)
Wow in Oklahoma so far. Hopefully someone rents it soon. I’m so glad that you are getting everything back and 6 week worth of rent sounds sweet :)
you’re so good at dealing with problems.
especially with threats ;) LoL
its nice to see you reaching your arm out and giving a hand to the young ones has yet to learn.
=) support;
I agree,I think you are seeking trouble if you lease it to them. You can wait and pay from your hand instead of getting into possibly bigger troubles!
PS: How in the world do you manage this!!! I am STILL waiting for a response from Air India for the crap they pulled!
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. My coworker rented out his house to the perfect candidates: family with children, breadwinner was employed and made plenty to cover rent. His credit check was spotless.
Guess what? He lost his job and instead of doing the right thing (i.e. move out), he continued to stay in the house without paying any rent or utilities. And no, this was not recently. It was before the whole “market meltdown” shtuff. He was just taking advantage of the rules we have in the book, which tried to protect tenants from evil landlords. Unfortunately, the roles were reversed in this situation.
I would meet with the couple if possible. There’s a lot you can glean from people – if you’re good at observing people. I don’t think that someone’s past should dictate who they’ll always be. But then, I’m someone who thinks that America’s “war” on “drugs” is a ridiculous policy so I guess I don’t think his crime is a huge offense in the big scheme of bad things (e.g. homicide, rape, pedophilia).
My two cents.
congrats on the win. what a quandary on the possible renters – i wouldn’t want my property turned into a drug house but if they really are trying to make a fresh start… perhaps at least a direct phone call to the guy could justify your decision one way or the other – not as good as face to face, but it’s not like it’s a quick ride across town. good luck! peace, Al
I love your approach at things. I wish I had more confidence to receive my fair share of justice from those corporate pigs that wrong me :(
I’d say no to the girl and her bf. Way no no…. it’s even more dangerous and risky than burglary. The agent only want commission. She’s bad.
ryc: OMG, so Carey you are the Soprano in America !! I really like this song from Renato, trying really hard to translate it in a relatively accurate way. Be my guest pls to correct me, if I could ever translate, ok? (I give you credit already of having the italian in your blood :)
If only I could fight an honorable battle like you. I always have to suffer through shit and rely on karma. When I grow up, I know another person I wanna be liiiiike ^____^ lmao by the way dear one I threw up a new post for ya on the rally. Such a lagger I know but the week so far has kept me occupied.
Carey this is AWESOME!! It shows that a little effort and strongly worded letter CAN and WILL make things happen AS THEY SHOULD! Kudos to you for taking the time and effort to set a new standard in this information age!!! :)
so good. =)
@aliceandrandy - Thanks Alice. Let me know if you want to move to Oklahoma!
@davidchengg - Thanks David. I’ve had a lot of practice, and I’m happy to be able to use my blog to share these tips with the world!
@Dezinerdreams - You want me to write to call Air India?
@chunkielove - Thanks. That’s good advice. If I was closer, I would meet with them, as I’m a good judge of character. Being 2000 miles away though, I think I’ll probably just keep looking.
@pukemeister - Thanks for the input!!
@renshuuu - Just recognizing you’ve been wronged is the first step. A lot of people are just so used to it, they take it for granted. You’re on the right track!
@coolblueszone - Yep, that’s me. In fact, I’m so Italian, I thought The Soprano’s was a reality show!
@fickleboy - I rely on karma sometimes too…it all works out in the end. You will learn to fight your battles better as you grow older. I’m just old and jaded. LOL
@lv2skrp - Awww, thanks Michele. I appreciate that!
@e2718281828 - Thanks Macky. We’ll miss you this weekend at CalTech!
a tough decision indeed.
Yayy…congrats on the win! Regarding the lease, I would say no too. I have seen many cases where the owners are really nice and want to help the renters whom are having hardships; however, it’s not always the case because you are nice to them, you will get it back in return.
@owbert - Yep, but I made it. It’s a no.
@ToTaLLy_PhAt - Thanks. You’re right! It’s settled.
Well, I’d rather not rent to losers…or else, there’ll be a marijuana plantation inside your house!
@CareyGLY - I should wait a little more, last time I called (which was yesterday) they were still processing the complaint at their Headquarters. I will let you know!
No retreat, no surrender. Fight for what you believe in and for the right cause. I’m glad things finally work out in your favour.
No one from Tinker AFB wants it? I’m sure that base has people moving in and out all the time.
@curry69curry - Point taken!
@reckless_eagle - Thanks, I appreciate that.
@infinitysurfer - Good idea James. As always.
Hooray for you! I wouldn’t begin to advise you about how to approach the renters. That’s way too touchy. If it were me, I’d probably say NO. If the case is still pending, this wasn’t long ago. If it were years ago, it would be a different matter.
@coolblueszone
Why are the girl and her bf more dangerous than burglary? Because she is pregnant and he has a criminal record? If you feel to make such an across-the-board judgement of people you’ve never met, then articulating some arguments to back up your statement would be at least more informative and more helpful to Carey’s decision making.
So, the facts on paper do not look good. The girl cannot cover the rent with her salary alone and is also pregnant. With a baby she will be even less able to cover the rent. So, her bf: Selling Marijuana hmmm…. Selling Cocaine?!?!?!? No way.
Ok, but they both want to make a fresh start, have a second chance. Alright, everyone deserves a second chance, why not? Does he have a job or any kind of income? If they are really committed to the fresh start, he should have some sort of regular and stable employment, not only to cover the rest of the rent but also as proof of his commitment to a law-abiding future. But even if they are able to cover the rent with their combined salary, will there be enough left to cover their living costs? And how much able will they be, once the baby is there?
Mathematics: Rent+living+baby = combined salary?
Criminal record: Sign of commitment e.g. regular and steady job?
Even if both are a yes, it would be a stretched decision. But if both are a yes, there would be enough reason to consider giving them a chance. If one of them is a no, then NO! The risk of running into longterm troubles and headaches for you is simply too great and will most likely outweigh the uncertain rental income.
So far for the facts. But to be honest, for my taste the decision is too borderline. And in my experience, borderline decisions rarely result in a positive outcome for the one shouldering the risk. So, my gut feeling is, like yours: Bad idea.
@da5id_de - Wow, now that’s an analysis. Thanks David. I expect nothing less from you!!
@fratmom - More good points. Thanks!
you are in a tight spot. i know that some people do turn over a new leaf. then there are those that intend to and keep falling into the same traps. it’s a tough call. hope it works out for you.
@razzlebash - Thanks! I think I’ve made my decision.
win win win!
hhmm… dilemma, dilemma…