Superstorm Sandy
 

Hey everyone. For those i havent spoken to recently here's a little clip as to why. my home was hammered pretty good due to this storm and im still in a hotel doing battle with both my flood ins co and my home owners co as well as rallying the town to battle FEMA's improper mapping and zoning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XME0...yC1YMkNvuDUDN2

hope all is well with everyone.

Watched it very informative, and as a Jersey resident, it is very interesting...

So sorry you are having this battle. SWMBO says to me, "why did I let the agent use two different companies write our flood ins and homeowners policies?" She explained, "They will do that so that when we have a claim that involves both flood and wind damage, they can point to each other and say""They should pay""!!!!!!". Explaining further, "that if one company writes both, then whom do they point to other than themselves as the loss payee." So, I have to report back to the agent to do what it takes to get both policies written by the same company. end of sentence. It cost me more, but then there is no more "It's His Fault!!!! as the two agents point to each other." SWMBO be smart.

We stayed in our house that night in Mystic Islands and just before the storm hit and the last few people evacuated I mad a statement that fortunately I LIVED to regret I said im not leaving I have never seen a house lost to a storm here in Mystic. We had over 4 feet of water that night in our house it washed out the front wall and the waves crashed thru the front door, Every thing we had was lost including my bright idea to get a giant rental truck and load it with our stuff and just incase the water got bad It would be high enuff for us to leave in!!! Well FML the truck floated away with all the stuff we tried to save, The next morning I walked into what was left of the downstairs of my house and i remember it like it was yesterday It looked like a bomb went off, But we were alive and lucky to have survived, Earlier that night I spoke to people screaming for help on the VHF radio that were trapped by rising waters in there attic and we watched 3 houses burn right down to the waterline from gas leaks, I remember calling Bernie the next morning and asking him for a dempster and I could here it in his voice he wanted to help but he like the rest of us was in shock, Now the tide is gone and we are all stuck dealing with loads of paperwork fighting with local goverment agancies and insurance companies that only care about there bottom line. Fema came into our town about 3 days after the storm and although a goverment run agency they have been very helpful atleast to me and my family. Im not sure why im going on with this rant other then to say were all in this together down the shore and some how some way it will get rebuilt and we can all sit around our docks again some night and remember why we love where we live so much. Keep your heads up Bernie and Tim

Mike O

Very well put together video.

I am a consultant that worked on 50 plus claims from Long Island to Atlantic City. I have never seen damage as bad as the barrier island in Brick Township, it was humbling, to say the least.

I was in New York and New Jersey for over 2 months. During that time, I met so many wonderful people.

With regards to insurance companies and adjusters. Adjusters don't care what gets paid out on claims, they just have to abide by the policy coverages.

For all people living next to or close to the water I would recommend that you get a quote for homeowners and flood, through Chartis Private Client Group. To date, not inclusive of the NFIP, all the claims that I have worked on, CPG has covered them all, including hardscapes.

Snoworks,
Do you have a contact # for the Chartis Group?

Although adjusters are supposed to abide by the Policies, I'd beg to differ. I had 4' of flooding in my house and had contents insurance for $11,000. , My adjuster offered me $819.00 for all the contents of my house-3 bedrooms, living room, entertaiment center TV, washer, dryer, etc... This is RAPE! I was also offered less than 1/2 of what it will cost to rebuild my house-so much for having a "replacement value policy". This is why I may be interested in comtacting Chartis.
Still homeless 3+ months later, and no end in sight....
Bob G

just got my check yesterday i get to rebuild my house for 45000....tear down put on stilts and totally redo.

I had 4+ ft of water in my house as well and still going on and on with the flood and home owners ,,they want your money when your policy is due but when something happens they are real slow to pay out..My house is totally gutted out and the foundation has shifted ,need to raise the house to fix it ,,just got a quote to raise 30K + the foundation work another 35K ,Then I can start to to rebuild 200K for the house,,i might as well knock it down and build new ,,,Dont know what to do,,would like to walk away and keep the ins money but u cant,,The battle goes on////////////////////

Another sad fact, I have to maintain flood Insurance and Home owners Insurance on a house that is "uninhabitable". More money down the drain...

Chartis Private Client Group should be available through most adjusters, if not all, upon request. There premiums are high, but they pay. The cream of the crop homeowners coverage used to be through Cubb, now its CPG. They even cover hardscapes, which until this event, I did not think any insurance companies covered. Every loss that I worked on had CPG coverage. Some did not have additional flood coverage, so part of the claim was not covered, but anyone that had additional flood coverage is getting paid what it takes to build their home back to "like-kind" and "Quality".

I am a building consultant and hardly ever get asked to deal with contents. From what I have gathered about contents is, if you have good records of what you have purchased and or video of what was in the house, its hard for them to argue the replacment value.

Hope this helps.

I couldnt imagine what you guys and your families are going through. The sheer time involved and the enormity of the required repairs just to get back to "normal" must really ware you down. Prayers wow!

We've had CPC for about 8 years now through our friends that are agents (http://thorsonins.com). Chartis Private Client is the company formally known as AIG Private Client. My wife b-itches every year about increases, but it is what it is.

Other top companies would be ACE or Chubb. Insurance..............it's all a gamble!

Thanks for sharing.

Being that I'm from the north end of the state it didn't really hit me until I was hired to do some work on the island as well as in the Atlantic Highlands. You could watch videos and look at pictures for a month straight and the raw feeling of utter hopelessness doesn't arise until you've seen it first hand. I had to take 5 min and let myself breakdown to continue. It was hard to drive due to emotions once I made it over the Mantlooking bridge. Only the fact that we were there to help getting the town running again was a major help. Even people there to simply sight see we're overwhelmed and had to leave. Hope we can get the shore we all know rebuilt better then ever.

Bernie, thank you for all the services you've brought to Brick and the surrounding areas.

Tim, your work is simply amazing. Thank you for sharing your tireless work in documenting this tragedy.

Keep your head up NJ!

For those of you who might need help, I am a GC living in Toms River going through the same thing you guys are as I had two houses flooded and lost both vehicles. Keep in mind on primariy homes that depreciation is recoverable and that regardless of the initial loss tally on your POL, you can always file a supplemental claim during the work in progress. Secondary homes, were all screwed! None of it is going to be easy, but if I can help anyone affected, even if it is just info, let me know.

Superstorm Sandy featured on NJTV :

Part 1 of "Storm Clouds" Click here.

Additional information and links at lower bottom of the page.

Tree of HOPE

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/im...31090224-5.jpg

My prayers go out to you Mike.

I have been through parts of Mystic and perhaps one of the areas was yours?

MYSTIC ISLAND post Superstorm Sandy Photos

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/im...17434190-4.jpg

Ortley Beach

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/im...17651998-4.jpg

Tim,
Great photos of the aftermath of the storm. How is the Jersey Shore before Hurricane Sandy and the Jersey Shore post Hurricane Sandy photo book coming? That is a book I will buy as soon as you get it done.

Bernie,
I understand the frustration you are/or had experienced, hang in there.

Stephen

I'm in the same boat but used my own money to rebuild while waiting for insurance. Thankfully the check came last week so I can pay some bills. Now I have to raise it or pay huge insurance premiums..can't win!

Thanks Bern

The BOOK is a work in progress....

Waiting on an answer from a Publisher .

If that falls through I will self publish.

I would buy one also. I know at least 6 others that would be interested. Can't thank you enough for the pics you keep posting and great documentary. I still can't believe that all the places that I would go to and hangout at as a kid are now gone and my kids will never see any of it. It is very sad to see my daughters face when we go down to work on the house and she looks at all that is destroyed and gone. Thanks again

Thank you.

Fortunately I have many of the areas of the Jersey Shore prior to the storm so at least that is preserved and your kids could at least see what it used to look like....

Tim,
I'd also purchase one

Thank you .


http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/im...46748332-4.jpg

6 Months After Sandy

Find the latest images of the rebulld at http://www.Sharkey-Images.com/

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/im...63803128-4.jpg

Tim!

Count me in, to purchase a book.

I would get a book as well! That is just great history.

Thank you !

Attended a benefit today and was blown away by these 3 youngsters !
At ages 14,15, & 16 damn they sure rocked the place !
See my BLOG for the band Micro Machines.

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/blog

Enjoy !

They are great! Sign them up!

After speaking to the mother of the Bass Player, she stated they get a lot of gigs.

While checking out their Youtube Channel it shows they have also played at "The Saint" & "The Wonder Bar" in Asbury Park.

Lavallette "OPEN for business" with the Governor Chris Christie .

Click here to view the video: Lavallette "OPEN for Business"




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