Dear Granny,

It was the worst phone call that my wife and I have ever gotten.  The phone rang at 5:20 AM and our neighbor from the beach was calling to tell us our vacation home had caught on fire!  The thoughts that were running through our heads were indescribable.  The drive down could only be described, not as an emotional roller coaster, but an emotional train wreck.

Once at the house, we realized our worst nightmare. The house was a total loss.  I was dreading calling our agents Grant Insurance.  Once on the phone with Granny he was most concerned with the safety of our family and anyone that was in the house.  Granny gave us the contact information for Fireman’s Fund local representative and offered any assistance we needed.  He instructed us to check-in to a local hotel, to meet with the Fireman’s Fund representative, they would arrange to reimburse us for our expenses.  Not something I really expected from my insurance agent.  Within 24 hours a regional adjuster from Fireman’s Fund was on site to meet with us and explain the process that was at hand.  She was very professional and yet most compassionate during this very emotional time for our family.

Arrangements were made to board up the house, get an outside company to thoroughly inventory the entire contents of the house (down to the number of toothbrushes in the bathrooms).  We could not believe what a relief this was.  We had imagined a huge fight with the “mega” insurance company, but that was not the case!

Over the next few weeks, Fireman’s Fund and Grant Insurance were always available to answer questions or lend advice.  The claim was settled very quickly and most of all to our total satisfaction.  I would not wish this type of situation on anyone, but in the event the unfortunate does happen, I would highly recommend these people and the companies they represent.