Insurance claim

[thepianoarts]

Hey Victor,

    There is a tech that advertises in the Journal, who kind of specializes
in this kind of problem. (see page 15 of the November issue) Maybe he could
help with specific details on smoke damage correction.
     Is it just smoke damage? Was there high humidity from the fire being
put out? Be a detective, and get specific about these details, to determine
how stressed the piano got. This will alow you to recommend an appropriate
fix, and protect you. Insurance companies will be fair, from my experience,
but they want documented details, to determine what damage was done. With
your experience, you will be able to determine what was damaged, by
examining the instruments.
     With insurance claims, someimes piano owners want the instruments
replaced, even though the fire did not affect the piano to warrant
replacment. Your documentation will help protect you from the sometimes
emotional owner also.

   
1) Draw a pictre of the pianos in relation to the fire.

2) Was their heat damage to the pianos? Was it a hot, extensive fire?
(i.e.,Lots of water used to put it out?)

3) What indications are there that excessive humidity was involved around
the pianos? (Condition of wire, condensation on the finish, pitch of the
instruments)

4) How long did they sit there, before being moved? Or , what date did the
fire occure on, and how long has it ben till now...What was the normal air
conditioned enviorment before the fire? Was this condition restored soon
after? etc

5) What was the condition of the instruments before the fire? This will
seperate previous condition from damage related condition. (i.e., if it is
'just' smoke damage, and a modest amount of higher than normal humidity,
does this justify refinishing and restringing etc., or replacment?

   Before proceeding, ask the church to give you the insurance adjustors
number. Contact them, and tell them you have been asked to evaluate the
damage. They will give you a claim number etc.
    The insurance company will be responsible for your bill. Charge enough
to justify about 3 to 4 hours of evaluation and report writting. It is time
consumming. It is kind of a legal document, and their are allot of bucks
that are at stake...No pressure though! (Ha!)

Dan Reed
Dalas