Napa School needs your help...

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

The only SDA school which sustained a lot of damage from the Napa Valley earthquake last Sunday was the Napa Christian Campus of Education. It includes both the elementary school, as well as the academy. The damage estimate is at least $200,000.

Because of the enormous cost and high deductibles for earthquake insurance, the Northern California Conference does not carry this for its schools. The Napa Christian school is in desperate need of funds to repair the school in time for opening classes.

If anyone can help out, they would surely appreciate it!!!

More information and donations can be made HERE

[Gregory Matthews]

I went to the website that Pam posted and I found the following posted on that website:

Quote:

I don't mean to dampen the generosity of donors, but please understand that all SDA schools and churches are covered by the GC Risk Management insurance company. It's too early in the process to know if there will be any "out of pocket" expenses to the school.

NOTE: I do not know the actual facts on this issue.

It should be noted that insurance policies, to include earthquake policies, have deductables and limits. So, I have to assume that the Napa school will have some need for funds.

[LifeHiscost]

It is my understanding that many insurance policys have a caveat

excluding "acts of God" (or better described as acts of the devil)and would possibly not give that coverage through the GC Risk Management insurance company, unless the policy was specifically for or including earthquake coverage.

God is Love! Jesus saves!

[Tom Wetmore]

I don't think that is entirely accurate. Casualty insurance would routinely cover so-call acts of God, which are most an natural disaster, such as storm damage, lightening, flood, etc. But is most likely the case, in areas where there is significantly higher risk for a particular type of such natural disaster, there is likely required specific coverage with a higher premium reflecting that higher risk. Sometimes the premiums are so high, such as in high risk earthquake areas that some simple go without that level of coverag or offset the premium cost with very high deductibles.

[Gregory Matthews]

Life, in the United States, Homeowners Insurance is standardized. IOW, they are the same. However, they are standardized into about three levels. The insurance companies have the freedom to issue whatever standardized levels that they wish to issue. They are not required to issue all of the levels.

There are some exclusions. No Homeowners Insurance policy covers flood insurance. That can only be obtained through a Federal program that is standardized and available in different levels of coverage.

Earthquake coverage is always an an optional endorsement to a standard policy. Earthquake coverage typically has a high level of deductible, which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. However, where I live, the cost is very reasonable--a bit under 15% of my total insurance cost.

There are a number of other endorsements, at an extra cost, which one can add to their basic coverage. Common ones that are added include: Personal injury liability and water backup/sump pump overflow. Depending upon wants and needs, other endorsements may be added.

All levels of policy have optional endorsements that can be added. The higher level of coverage policies include some coverage that is an optional endorsement in the lower policies.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

my home insurance does *not* cover earthquake damage...I had to get separate coverage for that...

[Gregory Matthews]

Quote:

Casualty insurance would routinely cover so-call acts of God, which are most an natural disaster, such as storm damage, lightening, flood, etc.

Flood insurance can only be obtained through a Federal program and is never included in any legal Homeowners policy written in the United States. It is a totally separate policy and not an endorsement to your basic policy. The Federal government may pay your insurance company to process the claim.

NOTE: Perhaps you who are reading this may want to determine whether or not you should obtain flood insurance and whether or not you have the coverage that you need.

Case in point: During the October 2013 floods, the city where I live suffered a flood which was believed to occur only once in 500 years, The flood actually came to about 1/2 block from my home--which was located on a rise in ground level. For a period of time, I was stranded in my home with no way to travel throughout the city. I could get to some places but not others and I could not get out of the city as it was cut off. Water covered all incoming roads, except one which was restricted to official emergency travel by vehicles attempting to support another disaster area. That road had to be immediately repaired to make it useable by disaster vehicles.

One of the bridges into the city which was destroyed by that flood is expected to open in October as the damage has not yet been completely repaired.

I cannot say strongly enough: Know the coverage that you have and purchase what you need.

If my memory is correct: At the time of that October flood, the entire State of Colorado had less than 3,000 people who had purchased flood insurance.

The Federal Flood Insurance program has major limitations as to coverage.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I've just been in touch with Jeff Klam, who is the Director of Risk Management for the Northern California Conference. He invites anyone who has questions or concerns regarding the Napa school's need for funding to contact him directly at his email address:

jeff.klam@nccsda.com

Jeffrey J Klam

Director of Risk Management

NCC