Comments on: That awning will NOT cost me $500!

By: TheFeministBreeder

TheFeministBreeder — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:59:16 +0000

Well, that whole do-what-I-say-or-I’ll-contact-the-media thing is pretty much extortion. You should go to the media anyway, but Your plan was much better.

I have to say I’m pretty bothered by this “act of God” stuff. I mean, I’m an atheist, so I don’t like “god” being blamed for anything, but especially not by a freaking corporation. Boy, if people don’t think we live in a Christian nation, that’s proof right there.

Just call them back and tell them you don’t believe that imaginary, mystical beings from the sky can reach down and rip awnings off and shove them into cars, and because you do not subscribe to their religion, you cannot accept that explanation in lieu of payment for the damages to your non-imaginary vehicle.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:11:12 +0000

No I totally get your beef – I guess I was using my hypothetical to say “if your home insurance company would have covered that same incident happening at your house” why won’t the stores insurance company cover that happening? I guess I see no difference between the two and shouldn’t it be the store or easton (whichever owns the awning) that covers the deductable? It’s all just weird to me – I don’t understand insurance companies.

By: BirthingBeautifulIdeas

BirthingBeautifulIdeas — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:40:50 +0000

Oh, OUR insurance company is definitely willing to pay for it! Sorry if there was any confusion there. It’s just that we have to pay a $500 deductible for the repairs (which will certainly total over $500 since we might need a new car door).

My main beef is that it doesn’t really seem like this was solely an “act of God.” None of the other awnings blew off at Easton that day. Not even the one that was identical to AND adjacent to the one that DID blow off. What’s more, there wasn’t really any other major property damage to the entirety of Easton, from what I could tell. So it seems to me like this awning was improperly installed and/or maintained, which SHOULD mean that their insurance (and not ours, with our lovely $500 deductible) should cover it.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:09:47 +0000

Ok what I don’t understand is – had this been your house and a tree had fallen or been blown into your roof your insurance would have covered it right? I mean after hurricane ike they talked about all the insurance claims etc….so if they cover that stuff how can they not cover the awning nearly killing you and your children and taking out the back of your SUV? I guess I don’t understand what the difference is!

Good luck with everything!

By: BirthingBeautifulIdeas

BirthingBeautifulIdeas — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:31:13 +0000

Contacting the media (or at least “threatening” to do so) is certainly part of the plan, but I was initially reluctant to do so first. Right now, or at least as of Thursday when I spoke to the insurance adjuster, the “fight” is between Stride Rite, Easton Town Center, and their insurance companies and over who is actually responsible/liable for the awning. For now, I’m reluctact to cast negative attention on the locally-owned Stride Rite (I’m guessing it’s a franchised store) if the responsibility really lies with the mall at large.

But you’re right–perhaps contacting the media would be the most effective way to get the windshield (and the door, etc.) fixed. I guess I’m just naive when it comes to facts and evidence and their effectiveness in getting things done.

By: Mrs. Spit

Mrs. Spit — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:54:39 +0000

I have a suggestion, if I might. I wouldn’t start with that. I’d start with something like . . .

Your store sells children’s items, and it is unsafe for families as evidenced by the accident. I feel obligated to let other families in the neighbourhood know what happened to me, so that they can make decisions for their families, about a company that doesn’t care about the safety of their customers.

Perhaps the best way for me to accomplish this is to contact a few local media outlets. I’m sure they will be in touch to have your side of the story as well. Additionally, I would imagine that they will have questions about your insurance, since other families will want to know that if something happens to them while in your store, you won’t be responsible. I imagine that the local media can speak to your insurance company as well.

I suspect a conversation along those lines will get your windshield replaced, fairly quickly.