They flooded our downstairs. Help? Housing question. - OCONUS (Over Seas)

my.hero's.mrs · 10-31-2009, 02:51 PM

We live in off-post private rental housing here in Italy.

Long story short, our power was out on Friday. There is water (?) under our house. When the power went out, the water pump that pumps the water out from under the house turned off from the electricity. There are batteries that keep it going but only for so many hours. The water rose and thus... flooded our house.

It filled our downstairs with 2-3 inches of water. A computer, a couple of transformers, power strips, my brand new Ikea desk and bookcases, and ALL of DH's household goods (except his clothes that are in the closet upstairs) were in 2-3 inches of water.

Aside from the fact that their story and the timeline does not match up... my question is: What can I expect housing to assist us in replacing?? We have renters insurance in the event that something like this happens. Do you think I should file a claim or wait to see what steps housing will take? The walls are wet, no fans were brought in, there are already signs of moisture in the walls. Any advice here? My furniture is made of particle board. It is going to be moist for quite some time and I'm sure it will probably rot.... the rug under the bookcases and desk is still wet as well... they did nothing about any of this when they were cleaning up the water. What should we be sure we ask for from housing?? I'm worried about mold, rot, etc.

TIA for reading and replying!!

my.hero's.mrs · 11-01-2009, 05:47 PM

Any help?? Anyone?

Armywife2004 · 11-01-2009, 05:59 PM

I am not sure that housing will do anything, I know where we are stationed they tell u to have renters insurance so that if your apartment is damaged you are covered! I would file a claim with your renters insurance and if you talk to them they might know what housing will be responsible for!

Ramona · 11-01-2009, 06:01 PM

I hope this helps:

http://www.military.com/finance/pcs-...t-insured.html

http://www.navytimes.com/money/insur...E.INS.RENTERS/

I am sorry for what happened to your household goods

my.hero's.mrs · 11-01-2009, 06:02 PM

Thank you so much for replying!! I am so glad we have the insurance. We're going to talk to housing tomorrow since there is moisture in the walls and such but we'll be sure to call our insurance too.

my.hero's.mrs · 11-01-2009, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Ramona

I hope this helps:

http://www.military.com/finance/pcs-...t-insured.html

I am sorry for what happened to your household goods

It would except it looks like it is information pertaining to those who choose to live off-base. We don't have a choice and have to live off-base since there is no military housing here. Thank you though!

reynswife · 11-01-2009, 06:05 PM

I would definitely file with your insurance company. The wheels of Italy move so very, very slowly.

Ramona · 11-01-2009, 06:06 PM

Military Home Insurance

MILITARY RENTERS
Do You Need Military Renters Insurance?

Some military families move a lot and for them, renting their home makes more sense than owning it.

But even a military family that rents will need something similar to military homeowners insurance: military renters insurance, to fully protect all your valuable possessions.

Too many military families assume that they're protected by their landlord's homeowner's insurance. While your landlord may carry insurance that covers the structure itself, most often, that policy does not cover your belongings.

The military provides some protection for active military living in government-owned housing, but still, there are limits.

Military officers living in privatized family housing might find that the value of their belongings far surpasses the government's renter's insurance coverage limit. Your valuable jewelry, top of the line computer equipment and family heirlooms truly need your own military renter's insurance.

A basic renters policy may cost as little as $5 per month for $2,500 worth of coverage, while a more comprehensive policy might offer $100,000 worth of coverage for $30 per month. All companies place limits on certain property. For instance, a typical renters insurance policy might limit total payments to $200 for cash and coins; $1,000 for valuable papers; $1,000 for theft of jewelry and watches; and $2,000 for theft of guns.

For that specific and very valuable item such as a military heirloom or valuable artwork, consider paying a few dollars more to add a "personal article floater" to your renters policy. The floater has no deductible and usually covers a wider range of claims.

ANOTHER TIP: MILITARY RENTERS INSURANCE ALSO COVERS LIABILITY.

If a visitor to your apartment slips on a wet floor and is injured, you could be held responsible for thousands of dollars in medical bills. Your renters insurance would likely cover the costs, to a specified limit.

Even a fire could leave you personally responsible for damages to the building and others' property. Again, renters insurance could provide $100,000 of coverage for liability, and even covers your legal fees in some cases.

For military personnel who re-locate frequently, know that renters insurance is portable.

Most renters policies cover your personal possessions during a move, during shipment, or while in storage. When you travel, your luggage and other personal items are covered up to the limits of your renters policy. If your suitcase or valuable computer doesn't arrive undamaged, renters insurance may cover them, too.

DOES MY MILITARY SALARY ADD UP FOR WARRANT RENTERS INSURANCE?

Renters insurance may not be necessary for all active military. Determine the value of your possessions to discern exactly how much coverage you need, if any.

Take inventory of your belongings, including how much you paid for each item and its current value. Make a record of your possessions with pictures or a video camera, and store the records in a safe place outside your home. Those records can not only help you determine your insurance needs, but can also serve as your proof of ownership if a loss occurs, making it easier for insurance company to estimate value and send your out.

Determine if you prefer to purchase a "replacement-cost" policy, which covers the cost of replacing lost items at today's prices, or a "cash value" policy, which covers what the item is worth after depreciation. Although it typically costs about 15% more, many military renters find replacement-cost coverage to be the better value.

Especially important for military personnel: look for a renters insurance policy that does not contain territorial limits. A policy without these restrictions will cover your belongings nearly anywhere in the world you may move.

Ramona · 11-01-2009, 06:08 PM

I will ask my husband about this when he comes home. Maybe he can give me some useful info.

my.hero's.mrs · 11-01-2009, 06:12 PM

Thank you Ramona! All very useful info.

I guess at this point I am most curious about the going-forward. I know that we need to ensure that we are not held responsible when we leave in 2012 for any damages sustained, but does anyone know if housing will assist us in ensuring that there are no issues of mold, rot under the flooring (its tile) etc?

10-31-2009, 02:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
my.hero's.mrs Not even the Army can shatter my spirit. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Italy Posts: 12,079 Blog Entries: 1 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 35% Longevity: 29%	They flooded our downstairs. Help? Housing question. We live in off-post private rental housing here in Italy. Long story short, our power was out on Friday. There is water (?) under our house. When the power went out, the water pump that pumps the water out from under the house turned off from the electricity. There are batteries that keep it going but only for so many hours. The water rose and thus... flooded our house. It filled our downstairs with 2-3 inches of water. A computer, a couple of transformers, power strips, my brand new Ikea desk and bookcases, and ALL of DH's household goods (except his clothes that are in the closet upstairs) were in 2-3 inches of water. Aside from the fact that their story and the timeline does not match up... my question is: What can I expect housing to assist us in replacing?? We have renters insurance in the event that something like this happens. Do you think I should file a claim or wait to see what steps housing will take? The walls are wet, no fans were brought in, there are already signs of moisture in the walls. Any advice here? My furniture is made of particle board. It is going to be moist for quite some time and I'm sure it will probably rot.... the rug under the bookcases and desk is still wet as well... they did nothing about any of this when they were cleaning up the water. What should we be sure we ask for from housing?? I'm worried about mold, rot, etc. TIA for reading and replying!! __________________ Last edited by my.hero's.mrs; 11-01-2009 at 05:48 PM.

11-01-2009, 05:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
my.hero's.mrs Not even the Army can shatter my spirit. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Italy Posts: 12,079 Blog Entries: 1 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 35% Longevity: 29%	Any help?? Anyone? __________________

11-01-2009, 06:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ramona I am Supernatural! Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 10,357 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 62% Longevity: 35%	I hope this helps: http://www.military.com/finance/pcs-...t-insured.html http://www.navytimes.com/money/insur...E.INS.RENTERS/ I am sorry for what happened to your household goods __________________ Behind every great man there's a woman rolling her eyes!

11-01-2009, 06:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
my.hero's.mrs Not even the Army can shatter my spirit. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Italy Posts: 12,079 Blog Entries: 1 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 35% Longevity: 29%	Thank you so much for replying!! I am so glad we have the insurance. We're going to talk to housing tomorrow since there is moisture in the walls and such but we'll be sure to call our insurance too. __________________

11-01-2009, 06:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
reynswife on the road again..... Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Norfolk, VA - NAB Little Creek Posts: 3,308 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 28% Longevity: 58%	I would definitely file with your insurance company. The wheels of Italy move so very, very slowly. __________________

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11-01-2009, 05:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Armywife2004 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fort Drum NY Posts: 95 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 25% Longevity: 2%	I am not sure that housing will do anything, I know where we are stationed they tell u to have renters insurance so that if your apartment is damaged you are covered! I would file a claim with your renters insurance and if you talk to them they might know what housing will be responsible for!

11-01-2009, 06:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ramona I am Supernatural! Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 10,357 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 62% Longevity: 35%	Military Home Insurance MILITARY RENTERS Do You Need Military Renters Insurance? Some military families move a lot and for them, renting their home makes more sense than owning it. But even a military family that rents will need something similar to military homeowners insurance: military renters insurance, to fully protect all your valuable possessions. Too many military families assume that they're protected by their landlord's homeowner's insurance. While your landlord may carry insurance that covers the structure itself, most often, that policy does not cover your belongings. The military provides some protection for active military living in government-owned housing, but still, there are limits. Military officers living in privatized family housing might find that the value of their belongings far surpasses the government's renter's insurance coverage limit. Your valuable jewelry, top of the line computer equipment and family heirlooms truly need your own military renter's insurance. A basic renters policy may cost as little as $5 per month for $2,500 worth of coverage, while a more comprehensive policy might offer $100,000 worth of coverage for $30 per month. All companies place limits on certain property. For instance, a typical renters insurance policy might limit total payments to $200 for cash and coins; $1,000 for valuable papers; $1,000 for theft of jewelry and watches; and $2,000 for theft of guns. For that specific and very valuable item such as a military heirloom or valuable artwork, consider paying a few dollars more to add a "personal article floater" to your renters policy. The floater has no deductible and usually covers a wider range of claims. ANOTHER TIP: MILITARY RENTERS INSURANCE ALSO COVERS LIABILITY. If a visitor to your apartment slips on a wet floor and is injured, you could be held responsible for thousands of dollars in medical bills. Your renters insurance would likely cover the costs, to a specified limit. Even a fire could leave you personally responsible for damages to the building and others' property. Again, renters insurance could provide $100,000 of coverage for liability, and even covers your legal fees in some cases. For military personnel who re-locate frequently, know that renters insurance is portable. Most renters policies cover your personal possessions during a move, during shipment, or while in storage. When you travel, your luggage and other personal items are covered up to the limits of your renters policy. If your suitcase or valuable computer doesn't arrive undamaged, renters insurance may cover them, too. DOES MY MILITARY SALARY ADD UP FOR WARRANT RENTERS INSURANCE? Renters insurance may not be necessary for all active military. Determine the value of your possessions to discern exactly how much coverage you need, if any. Take inventory of your belongings, including how much you paid for each item and its current value. Make a record of your possessions with pictures or a video camera, and store the records in a safe place outside your home. Those records can not only help you determine your insurance needs, but can also serve as your proof of ownership if a loss occurs, making it easier for insurance company to estimate value and send your out. Determine if you prefer to purchase a "replacement-cost" policy, which covers the cost of replacing lost items at today's prices, or a "cash value" policy, which covers what the item is worth after depreciation. Although it typically costs about 15% more, many military renters find replacement-cost coverage to be the better value. Especially important for military personnel: look for a renters insurance policy that does not contain territorial limits. A policy without these restrictions will cover your belongings nearly anywhere in the world you may move. __________________ Behind every great man there's a woman rolling her eyes!

11-01-2009, 06:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ramona I am Supernatural! Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 10,357 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 62% Longevity: 35%	I will ask my husband about this when he comes home. Maybe he can give me some useful info. __________________ Behind every great man there's a woman rolling her eyes!

11-01-2009, 06:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
my.hero's.mrs Not even the Army can shatter my spirit. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Italy Posts: 12,079 Blog Entries: 1 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 35% Longevity: 29%	Thank you Ramona! All very useful info. I guess at this point I am most curious about the going-forward. I know that we need to ensure that we are not held responsible when we leave in 2012 for any damages sustained, but does anyone know if housing will assist us in ensuring that there are no issues of mold, rot under the flooring (its tile) etc? __________________