Secretary of State, we have been complaining about our wind storm damaged home for two years. We have no choice but to seek help from you, because the damages are getting worse. As seniors with very low incomes, we cannot pay for those damages. That is why we pay for insurance. We paid $2300.00 to fix the roof in order to stop the leaks, which we were asked to do by Ms. Patricia Karr from Allstate. We pay them a lot of money to be protected from such things, but instead they want to take advantage of seniors and poor people by overcharging them and refusing to honor the contract. I call that thievery.
Last year was bad enough, but this year was worse, because all the layers of siding from the soffit and fascia blew off, plus parts of the wood, which caused the rain to come into my bedroom, damaging the wooden covered valance, pillows, sheets and mattress. In my living room, the water came in through the front fascia that blew apart and traveled into the middle cups around the rod that holds the crystal chandelier together. The dirty water is in the cups with the wiring. I am afraid to death to touch it. I disconnected the dimmer switch to make sure that no one would make a mistake and turn it on. It is extremely heavy and dangerous, and has to be taken down to take the water out of it.
With all this, Allstate claims that there was no change from last year, which means they will allow only my deductible of $200.00. I told them that no one would take the ladder off their truck for $200.00, let alone fix it.
They sent out a claim adjuster, Dave, but we did not hear any more from them after calling several times. Finally, Ms. Patricia Karr claimed that she was waiting for receipts for the broken and damaged items in my bedroom. The items were a porcelain gold leaf statue and a Waterford crystal lamp that cannot be replaced. I told her I had to research in order to try to find something close to them. I bought them from Marshall Field's in 1970, so I am still searching. But they should not hold up the most important part of the claim. It is highly necessary to fix our building, which is what we are paying them for.
I have explained all these things to Dan & Paul Bertino, our agent, and finally to Ms. Dianna Smith, the claim adjuster, who came out on April 29 and said, "There are no changes." Both adjusters took pictures, and so did I.
Seniors have such a hard time with insurance companies. Maybe it is because they do not make a fuss and curse them out, or they think we do not know any better, or that we are senile, so they take advantage of the elderly by stealing their money in many different ways. Thank God we have a government and organizations like you to help us fight our battles. There are many people who cheat the insurance companies and get away with it, so they make up for it by cheating seniors and poor people, even though they make trillions of dollars.
We did not think Allstate would do this to us, because we always believed that Allstate was the best of the best. That is why we canceled our other company and signed up with Allstate. Now every time I hear their advertisements my stomach turns, because I know that they are lying and fooling the people.
Phone numbers: Ms. Patricia Karr, 1-888-237-4154, ext. 9726175; Deanna Smith, 1-847-840-9793; Dan & Paul Bertino, 1-708-966-4061. I have several estimates from 2012 to 2013 if needed. We are disgusted and unsatisfied with Allstate, and we would not recommend Allstate to anyone at this point.
Thanking you in advance for your sincere help.
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