Please, everyone at least review your insurance coverage (Page 2): one shot, I don't know thats its generosity really. I am shocked at how generous other people have been. As an...

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

one shot wrote:

How generous of you to think of others as you go through such a difficult time. Your attitude will help you greatly. I hope recovery goes well for you and those around you.

one shot,

I don't know thats its generosity really. I am shocked at how generous other people have been. As an example, Sierra Nevada Brewery has been serving lunch and beverages free of charge to evacuees the past couple of days. They even gave out free sweatshirts (then T-Shirts) when they ran out of sweatshirts. They certainly didn't have to do that, but frankly, it was the best meal we've had since the fire started on the 8th. Now it could have been the best because it was free, or maybe because we were just hungry, but here's the kicker.... we tried to tip our very attentive server, and the server caught up with us at the door and refused ANY Tip ! He said it was HIS pleasure to serve us. I didn't think there were companies OR people like that left in the world. There have been plenty of other gestures that were just as kind, some even more generous. I Guess the worst can bring out the BEST in some eh? Thinking about others really isn't as generous as DOING something for others. When I get back on my feet, I plan to DO more and think less.

-Gary

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

We are watching these terrible events unfold on our TV screens over here magaliaman. I'm glad you and your family escaped, it seems many people didn't. Wish all the people affected by this tragedy all the best for the future.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Magaliaman wrote:

every picture I've ever taken stored on my NAS drive at home,

Not an issue if you keep a copy offsite (preferably also not in the same town by the looks of it) or even online somewhere.
In early days I had too many people losing things like the first 4 years pictures of their baby or paying somebody for 4 months to type their memoirs and then losing the copy because they had NO backup.
A raid or NAS box is no protection.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I can sympathize. A friend's brother lived in Paradise, and his family lost everything with two hours. Fortunately, they have relatives putting them up.

I don't have much faith in insurance companies. They seem to find a way to charge more and cover less. When a local tragedy hits, they find ways to deny claims wholesale. Regardless what coverage I have, money will not replace the sentimental items lost.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Thank you for thinking of others with this post and I feel bad for all your losses. I have heard for years that we should photo everything within our homes and store them off site in case this should happen. Possibly this will move some of us to actually complete this task.

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

I have often thought of what I would do if I ever had a catastrophe happen to me as you have just experienced. I cannot completely wrap my mind around all the things that would instantly change in my life. I want to thank you for bringing this to the forefront of my consciousness today and I plan on doing just as you suggest starting right now. May God bless you and yours.

HardwareGuy

Thanks for the wake up call. We live in a rural, forested area in the California foothills as well, not all that far from your area.
Last week, after seeing the catastrophe happening in Paradise, we started putting our heads around just what you are stating.
Don't think "it can't happen to me".
I am so sorry for you losses. I cannot imagine how this once-lovely town can rebuild.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I have State Farm and have my camera gear covered in a personal property policy. It’s very cost effective if you’re not a pro and if you’re a pro it’s probably worth the write-off. They can even cover desk top computers and printers but not mobile devices. You can get one for jewelry but everything has to be appraised at your expense.

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Doddy wrote:

We are watching these terrible events unfold on our TV screens over here magaliaman. I'm glad you and your family escaped, it seems many people didn't. Wish all the people affected by this tragedy all the best for the future.

Thanks Doody, I'm glad we escaped as well. Its going to be a long horrible recovery process for sure. We appreciate the well wishes.

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

chrissybabe wrote:

Not an issue if you keep a copy offsite (preferably also not in the same town by the looks of it) or even online somewhere.
In early days I had too many people losing things like the first 4 years pictures of their baby or paying somebody for 4 months to type their memoirs and then losing the copy because they had NO backup.
A raid or NAS box is no protection.

crissybabe,

All great words of wisdom NOW. lol
I was far more worried about a HD failure or data corruption than total loss of my computer & NAS box. Oh well, Live & Learn I suppose. At 64 its not too late to learn.

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

jerryc41 wrote:

I can sympathize. A friend's brother lived in Paradise, and his family lost everything with two hours. Fortunately, they have relatives putting them up.

I don't have much faith in insurance companies. They seem to find a way to charge more and cover less. When a local tragedy hits, they find ways to deny claims wholesale. Regardless what coverage I have, money will not replace the sentimental items lost.

Jerry,

I'm with you 100% I don't have much faith in them either, but right now they're my only hope of any kind of recovery. Thankfully we're not in a shelter anymore, we've crashed on the floor of a friends house but that cant last long, and the prospects of finding a house for rent, or an apartment are getting slimmer and slimmer. There just isn't enough housing for 30,000+ people looking for temporary housing. Even if everything were cleared and we could start building tomorrow, there arent enough contractors to build that many homes & business, not to mention the overload for the 2 building inspectors in the area to approve ANYTHING in any timely fashion.

To some it up in 3 words. "Its a Cluster"

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Country Boy wrote:

Thank you for thinking of others with this post and I feel bad for all your losses. I have heard for years that we should photo everything within our homes and store them off site in case this should happen. Possibly this will move some of us to actually complete this task.

Country Boy,

That was the intent of my original post. I was hoping to spare others of this type of Grief.

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

randave2001 wrote:

I have often thought of what I would do if I ever had a catastrophe happen to me as you have just experienced. I cannot completely wrap my mind around all the things that would instantly change in my life. I want to thank you for bringing this to the forefront of my consciousness today and I plan on doing just as you suggest starting right now. May God bless you and yours.

Randave2001

I hope you do consider the consequences of something like this happening, because it could. I Still havent grasped the reality of EVERYTHING that we need to do to get on the path of recovery. 1,000 things happening at once and my feeble brain can only do 2 or 3 at a time. (Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda)

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

HardwareGuy wrote:

Thanks for the wake up call. We live in a rural, forested area in the California foothills as well, not all that far from your area.
Last week, after seeing the catastrophe happening in Paradise, we started putting our heads around just what you are stating.
Don't think "it can't happen to me".
I am so sorry for you losses. I cannot imagine how this once-lovely town can rebuild.

HardwareGuy,

Thanks for your thoughts and concerns. Definately consider your options. ESPECIALLY in any forested area in CA. I wouldnt wish this on anyone.

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

gvarner wrote:

I have State Farm and have my camera gear covered in a personal property policy. It’s very cost effective if you’re not a pro and if you’re a pro it’s probably worth the write-off. They can even cover desk top computers and printers but not mobile devices. You can get one for jewelry but everything has to be appraised at your expense.

gvarner,

Yup, all things I should have done. However right now many insurance companies cant or wont do anything until they can gain access to the property to assess the loss. Something that may not happen for weeks yet even. Example, I Lost my motorcycle as well and had considerable additional coverage for accessories. It doesnt matter though, because they want pictures of the loss, or I need to wait till the overloaded adjusters can get to the area. In the critical meantime.... nothing happens. :-(

-Gary