Insurance Tips

Back to Tips Index | A Slice of Reality #1

Three months ago, a worried father in America called his son Y.R. in Israel and told him in no uncertain terms to insure his home and possessions because of the "Matzav".

Y.R., an avid collector of Judaica and antiques came into our office in March and we set up the policy. He told us that he had never taken out insurance before this! Even though he was travelling to the U. S. shortly, we insisted that a Shamai (assessor) come and over and make a full evaluation. This was duly done and a full detailed assessment was sent to Y. R. On Erev Yom Ha’atzmaut, while the family was at a concert, a fire broke out in their home. How? They had an American clock radio and VCR plugged into a transformer. The transformer (110 amps) was US compatible and not Israeli compatible 220 amps. Two wires touched and the transformer shorted. Because it was not 220 amps, the electricity did not trip and a large fire broke out. Eventually neighbors saw the smoke and the result was that the top floor was totally gutted, including very valuable collections, all the clothes, etc.etc. We are now processing the claim of a man who "had never taken out insurance before"!

Lessons:

  1. Listen to your parents!
  2. If you insure, do it properly and make sure that your possessions are
    properly evaluated – do not say it won’t happen to me!
  3. Check your appliances – could this happen to you??