Disaster! Options

[icklechick]

Oh really sorry to hear this (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

We were flooded in the 2007 floods and lost my piano and a whole load of other stuff. We got a dehumidifier installed the next day by ChemDry who our insurance company instructed to help out with the drying out. 10 days later unfortunately we flooded again and lost the dehumidifier!!! So I would definitely push for a dehumidifier because it will speed things up greatly.

With regards the music...I'm not sure what the insurance company will do with regard the out of print books (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) i got a nominal figure for some stuff that was obsolete. I found some stuff on eBay to replace it but never got it all back. I did however get new DVDs to replace old VHS videos...small comfort (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) and didn't make up for losing lots of irreplaceable music (not to mention my "memory box" with photos/mementos in)

I hope it all gets sorted as soon as possible for you.

[lou24]

Really sorry to hear your news hope things will start to look up for you soon.

[Misterioso]

I am quite overwhelmed with so many messages of advice, prices and virtual hugs! - It's hugely appreciated, and nearly had me in tears (again). Thank you so much to everyone.

We are being firm with the insurance company, and it has got us absolutely nowhere. The Buildings insurers will ring next week to arrange an appointment. The Contents people said they would ring with a date, and instead rang us to instruct us to send photos. We did this, and they phoned again the next day to say they would send a Loss Adjuster the week after next!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) I could scream with frustration, but apparently there is no-one free to come any earlier.

When we originally phoned, one of the things they asked us was whether anyone in the house suffered from respiratory disease. OH has asthma and said so, but that has not made any difference either. We are appalled. So while they kick their heels, we are doing what we can to dry out and salvage what is salvageable. Younger son has come home to help us for a few days, which has lifted our spirits a bit; he has managed to salvage and get running a very old laptop, so we now have a very slow internet connection. The desk top hard-drive, however, seems to be dead, and it's probably that we have lost a great deal of data, including all my business accounts. Friends and neighbours are also rallying round and making a difference.

Meanwhile, we are trying to stay sane, but the new Scottish academic year looms just 12 days away.... Loch Ness Pianos have said that they will investigate the state of my piano if we can ship it over to them, but the insurance company won't sanction that, either. They don't seem keen to minimise their losses! - although in the case of the piano, I am at least 95% sure that it is hopeless. I should perhaps add that the contents insurers have been quick enough to write to us to let us know that they will deduct their excess from the claim, and (as our insurance expires this month) to send us a new insurance quote for the next 12 months! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

As someone suggested, I am hanging on to the idea that one day all will be well and our house will seem like a home again.

Thanks to everyone again for all your support.

[mel2]

Sounds like a nightmare.
What happened? Freak weather /leaky roof / burst pipe/ high tide?
Nice of the insurers to pay themselves first; I guess business is business. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Was the piano separately insured?

[Sunrise]

So sorry to hear this. After my last year with insurers and work I don't envy you one bit. Hugs xx

[Czerny]

Good grief. What a nightmare. Hope you're coping and hope the insurance company plays ball.

[Misterioso]

Sounds like a nightmare.
What happened? Freak weather /leaky roof / burst pipe/ high tide?
Nice of the insurers to pay themselves first; I guess business is business. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Was the piano separately insured?

Radiator leak. Two radiators, in fact, in our newly refurbished bedroom, above our newly refurbished study. And they weren't just dripping, but pouring, which meant that the water spread to affect the landing, stairs, and lounge. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif)

The piano was included in the same policy, but insured as a specified item.

There is hope that things may be moving; a surveyor is coming from the mainland in two days time. (It's one of those times when I wish we were on the mainland, with access to the people we need.)

Trying to stay upbeat, but failing miserably. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Cyrilla]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thereThere.gif)

[Misterioso]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thereThere.gif)

Thanks, Cyrilla.

Quick update: the surveyor came this week and confirmed that there was an urgent need for dryers. He also said that the work required to restore the house would be more extensive than we at first thought. The study/music room has to be completely stripped out (walls, floor and ceiling); part of the living-room ceiling has to be replaced, along with the wooden floor; at least one bedroom wall will have to be demolished, and a staircase wall. It is possible we may have to move out for a few weeks, but hoping that we can stay put and make do. We are expecting dryers to arrive on Tuesday (no room on the ferry before then) and they will need to stay in situ for up to 4 weeks. Apparently they make a thunderous noise.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) Then the renovation can hopefully begin.

The delay caused by the insurers has been immensely frustrating, and has made a bad situation worse. But at least there are signs of things beginning to move. The Loss Adjuster for the contents comes next week.

There is some good news too: I am going piano shopping next weekend! It will be weeks before I can have it delivered, but probably weeks before they can supply it anyway, particularly given the finish (casing) that I would like. Looking around online, though, they all seem to be black...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[Susie]

Glad things are now moving in the right direction, even though it is more drastic than previously thought. I can verify the dehumidifiers make a lot of noise. My relative was supposed to keep them on 24 hours a day, but I think she decided she needed some rest overnight on a few occasions and "accidentally" switched them off before going to bed.

At least the bright point is choosing a new piano - I hope you enjoy doing that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Louise H]

Misterioso - enjoy the piano shopping!

The rest sounds like an enormous job and hugely disruptive but I hope it all can proceed without any further delays or bureaucratic obstacles so that you can look forward to having your home back again. There will be a time when you can see light at the end of the tunnel... and hopefully it will come before the real winter sets in.

[Cyrilla]

Misterioso - enjoy the piano shopping!

The rest sounds like an enormous job and hugely disruptive but I hope it all can proceed without any further delays or bureaucratic obstacles so that you can look forward to having your home back again. There will be a time when you can see light at the end of the tunnel... and hopefully it will come before the real winter sets in.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[PianoNotes]

Good luck with getting everything sorted out.

[dorfmouse]

I was lucky enough to have to live with a large drier all over Christmas, New Year and beyond; yes, deep midwinter in Germany .... (had to keep the window open too for the outlet).
Tip: If you use a bit of imagination you can pretend you're on a cruise ship to somewhere nice and warm, but that you can only afford a cabin next to the engine room (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[BerkshireMum]

Pleased to hear that things are beginning to move for you now, Misterioso. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It must have been a dreadful thing to come home to. The prospective new piano should make you feel brighter anyway.