[escolubtessen]

Wow, that is just awful! I am glad they are fine. Better their stuff than them to be burnt. But, I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
I don't know anything about insurance and what they cover for dorm students. Hopefully it will be worked out ok.

Kaoru

[WGfg4CCZ]

On the plus side, if it does get paid, the cover (again at least in the uk) is Old for New, which means you get something of the same value as if the lost item were brand new, some they may get some nice bougu out of it!

Here on this side of the "Pond" you usually have a choice of whether to insure for replacement value or original value (less depreciation). IIRC, the depreciation formula was something like 10% per year. Insuring for replacement value costs more, but can be a financial lifesaver if prices have significantly increased (or the value has significantly decreased) since the original purchase. Like the others have said, be prepared for an arduous task involving finding original receipts, obtaining written estimates for replacement items, and providing corroborating evidence that you actually owned the items claimed.

Good luck,

RC_Kenshi

[nemoforone]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll make sure to show them to the guys. I think that right now they're more worried about their exams and what to do about them. They are still college students. But I'm sure they appreciate all the advice!


Curtis, my fiance had his bogu stolen out of his car as well, but he was never able to get it back. The scary thing about that is it happened outside of my apartment complex. O_o He was able to get a new set after his insurence helped pay for it, minus his deductible. Definitely not a fun experience.

[Mediconlinee]

if they kept reciept or pics of them in armor, that should be sufficiant for claim.

[pipitous]

Yeessh! That's rough.

On another note, I just found out that there's a third kendo student who lived in that dorm. I only found out after reading a newspaper article with his name mentioned. He was on the second floor of the building and was able to recover his laptop, some clothes and cellphone. I don't know about anything else. When I think about it, there might be a few more who were living in that dorm as well, but I don't know the exact number. Apparently the fire started because of a malfuntioning ceiling fan in the attic of the dorm. If the fire started because of a building malfuntion, I wonder what wrench that will throw into the entire insurance deal. But the third floor (top floor) is basically toast and I know one of the students lived on the third floor.

On a postive note, the College is accepting donations for all the students who were affected. They've been getting a lot of responses and donations. I'm keeping in touch with any of the students I know who were affected. As stressful as the situation is, they seem to be in good spirits.

[SusanSazzios]

Hey everyone,

Does anyone here have any experience with recovering insurance money for kendo equipment or anything that has been lost in a fire? There was a huge fire at the College of William and Mary that decimated one of the dorms on campus. That dorm housed two William and Mary kendo students. No one was hurt in the fire, but they've lost everything: clothes, computers, books, and all their kendo equipment including bogu. You can read all about it at W&M's homepage.

I've contacted one of those students and told him not to worry that I'm sure insurance will pick it up, but I honestly have no idea. It's a really stressful time for them since it's also exam week, but according to the student I talked to the college is being very understanding and giving them the option of not taking their exams. Does anyone have any advice I can give them or experience in dealing with things like this? I know it's not your typical "need advice" thread, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Concerned Sempai

[BebopVT]

I don't quite know about the states, but in the uk, for stuff like that, as long as that was thier insured residence then their home contents insurance would automatically cover it. If not, then (again in the uk) you can get an extension of cover for your children and their belongings while in higher education. Or if it was specified under "items taken out of the home" (like my bougu is) the you can afix a value to it, thus being more able to get your moneysworth on it if you lose it. Its quite a grey area, so if their is applicable cover in a policy somewhere, prepare for a claims investigator to ask some questions before they pay out. Reciepts is a good thing, though they may have been kept close to the bougu (ie in the dorm that went down?). Same with pics, though unless they have someone in the insurance company who could accurately value armour from pictures (even after a bit of web research) I would be suprised.

Like Curtis said, it is likely that they will ask other people for proof as well, so be prepared to answer some questions on their behalf.

On the plus side, if it does get paid, the cover (again at least in the uk) is Old for New, which means you get something of the same value as if the lost item were brand new, some they may get some nice bougu out of it!

Oh and make sure they claim as soon as humanly possible, it saves on problems and difficult questions later!

If any wonders why I can talk about stuff like this, I work in insurance....but I'm still a nice guy!!

[BeaseHoca]

What will most likely happen is the college insurance will either pick up most or all of the bill. The manufacurer of the fan will step up and pay in order to avoid a lawsuit. William and Mary may pay for the replacements out of general funds to avoid the possiblity of a lawsuit. As a matter of fact I am suprised they have not had lawers circling the dorm like a flock of vultures already.

Anyway they should be protected because of the accidental loss, the only way they would not be protected would be because of negligence on thier part, whick is why most colleges have rules against things like coffee makers, hot plates etc...

[easypokergonj]

I had a very easy time with it all when mine was stolen. The insurance company was easy to deal with and I would have got full replacement value.

Fortunately I got the armor back. They kept the DW keikogi, swords and tripod. They probably took one whiff of the bogu and that was all it took. They threw it in the middle of the street and a woman stopped and picked it up after almost running over it.

[sestomosi]

When mine was stolen from my car, my homeowners insurance paid for it. Most of the items were recovered later so I collected for those things not returned minus the deductible.

The value of the items had to be verified. I used a kendo catalog and invoice I had. Also they required a testimonial from someone that could verify I had owned the armor.

[clorkergo]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll make sure to show them to the guys. I think that right now they're more worried about their exams and what to do about them. They are still college students. But I'm sure they appreciate all the advice!


Curtis, my fiance had his bogu stolen out of his car as well, but he was never able to get it back. The scary thing about that is it happened outside of my apartment complex. O_o He was able to get a new set after his insurence helped pay for it, minus his deductible. Definitely not a fun experience.

I was sitting about 30'-40' away just inside a door watching a shinsa when they stole mine. Had an 84 Toyota Celica at the time. I put an alarm on after that and it still did not do any good. They would pop the trunk lock with just a screwdriver. I ended up putting a chain and padlock on the inside that would open only enough to unlock the lock.

A few weeks ago I caught a guy that had broken into my Odyssey van and held him for the police. He came diving out of the van and I grabbed him and slammed him into the pavement and put a choke hold on him. $1200 damage to my van and there was nothing inside worth taking except my son's Gameboy SP and the idiot had not found it.

[CelexaNY]

Oh, thats horrible! Thank God their alright and lets hope insurance will take of the Bogu.

[forebirdo]

Not to be negative, but I wouldn't be too sure insurance will cover it. Hopefully their parents' homeowner's insurance will cover it, but I doubt the school provides the equivalent of "renter's insurance" to those living in the dorm. I could be wrong though.
I wish them luck, and am glad no one was injured.

RC_Kenshi