Act Of God: Thank You, Bitch!

Embracer Of Darkness · Post by **Embracer Of Darkness** » 2003-08-14 07:13am

Well, as some of you may or may not know, the UK recently experienced some *major* electrical storms which caused quite alot of damage in some places.

At approximately 9:10am GMT in my town, lightning struck my telephone line, travelled into my house, and destroyed two Sky Digital set-top boxes along with my ADSL modem and computer... The insurance company told us to fuck off as it was an "act of God".

After telling them that I didn't give a flying fuck about God, they still told us to fuck off, and I have had to replace my ADSL modem and computer. I am not a merry man.

Good news is that I'm using an Athlon 2100XP and GeForce 4 now, which is a huge improvement on my old system. I think I'll try out C&C Generals again.

Although it costed me alot.

Rant over. Fuck you insurance companies, and fuck you lightning for almost killing me. Fuck you in the ear!

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2003-08-14 07:20am

Ouch man. Goddamned insurance fuckerscapitalist dogs.

Embracer Of Darkness · Post by **Embracer Of Darkness** » 2003-08-14 07:23am

I still insist that they owe me for two Sky Digiboxes which work out at about £100 each, a £600 computer tower and a £50 ADSL modem.

That's nearly a grands' worth of electrics, and way too much for a guy like myself.

Seeing as this is the only thing bad thing to happen to my posessions in about six years I'm thinking of retracting my account with them altogether.

Then again, lightning might strike me again.

Edit: Not to mention that somehow our water-heater is completely destroyed too.

Post by **Lagmonster** » 2003-08-14 08:15am

I don't get this, really...what's the damn point of being insured against accidental destruction of your goods if insurance companies won't pay when something accidentally gets blown up?

I'll tell you one thing, if ANY insurance company has an "Acts of God" clause, you better RUN LIKE HELL, because we have all heard fundies saying that EVERYTHING is an act of God, and you do NOT want to get into THAT argument when 5 grand of equipment is on the line...

You: "Lightning fried my computer. I'd like to claim my insurance payoff."
Them: "Sorry...Act of God. Obviously God was displeased with your computer and fried it himself."
You: "What the hell are you talking about? There was a lightning storm. My house got hit. It happens."
Them: "Well, maybe you had sinful porn on your hard drive or something. Whatever it is, you'll just have to live with it. We're not going to pay you money because you were punished for being a sinner."
You: "Why you little..."
(strangling noises ensue)

...I'm toying with the notion of shipping this thread to SLAM so people can rant about insurance companies...

Companion Cube · Post by **Companion Cube** » 2003-08-14 08:24am

Damn.

You have my sympathy. And for some reason, your problem reminds me of this

Montcalm · Post by **Montcalm** » 2003-08-14 10:33am

Insurance companies they always looking for reason not to pay,act of god or they waste more money on lawyers,when they could give you the amount due,wich is far less then what they give to the leeches(sp)

Pablo Sanchez · Post by **Pablo Sanchez** » 2003-08-14 11:22am

You might as well try talking to a lawyer about it.

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2003-08-14 11:54am

That is such total shit on thier part.
Wtf is the point of insurance that wont pay out when you need it....

Pablo Sanchez · Post by **Pablo Sanchez** » 2003-08-14 12:11pm

Keevan_Colton wrote:That is such total shit on thier part.
Wtf is the point of insurance that wont pay out when you need it....

Every insurance company has a whole department on staff whose only duty is to find ways to avoid or reduce the pay out. It's part of the business. Your only recourse is to consult a lawyer. This "Act of God" thing sounds like a bunch of bullshit and it might be worth it to get a legal opinion.

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2003-08-14 12:12pm

Yeah, I mean, what isnt possible to write off as an "act of god"?
Short of torching your things yourself which is grounds for them not to pay either.....

Embracer Of Darkness · Post by **Embracer Of Darkness** » 2003-08-14 12:31pm

Thanks guys, I'm seeing my solicitor tomorrow for some legal advice and I'm going to take it from there. They owe me around £800 and I intend to recieve it.

Zoink · Post by **Zoink** » 2003-08-14 01:07pm

A coworker had a bunch of stuff fried: Computer, PS2, etc. His insurance covered everything. Even got his POS P166 computer upgraded to something newer.

Pablo Sanchez · Post by **Pablo Sanchez** » 2003-08-14 01:35pm

Keevan_Colton wrote:Yeah, I mean, what isnt possible to write off as an "act of god"?

Well, this time they were probably hoping that the freakishness of the accident would compel him not to seek compensation. But this is no different than suffering hail damage to your roof, you ought to be able to get the market value back.

Johonebesus · Post by **Johonebesus** » 2003-08-15 06:44pm

Well now, Act of God is a well established legal principle. If lightning strikes your tree and causes it to fall on your neighbor's fence, you are not as liable as if you had neglected to trim it. In insurance, it depends on the particular policy. Obviously, most homeowner's insurance specifically insures against natural disasters, or "acts of God," though there may be specific types of damage that are exempted, such as flood or tornadoes, it has to be specified. If, however, his computer and T.V. boxes were insured separately, then they were probably just insured against theft or fire or other human acts. If there is an "act of God" clause in the policy, he's screwed.