This is not intended to make light of the devastation from Sandy in any way. I sincerely hope that all the people involved get all the assistance they need, as quickly as they need it.
But if things were different, we could see things like the following:
I'm sorry, but your disaster is outside of our coverage area. Please call 1-800-xxxx
The weather is fine here in India - what is the nature of your problem?
Your city has a preexisting condition and coverage is denied.
You have reached your lifetime maximum benefit.
We will have an agent in your area between 12:00 and 3:00 next Wednesday. Will you be home to meet with him?
Coverage is denied due to contributory negligence.
And after a few years, the job creators will move in:
Have you been denied the coverage you are entitled to? Call 1-800-i-got-screwed and our attorneys can help. And we take no payment until you get a settlement!
Do you need cash fom your structured settlement? We can help.
And finally, the news releases start to comes out:
After years of consulting expenses, executive bonus payments, management fees and legal fees, the insurance company declared bankruptcy yesterday. Claims are being covered at 50 cents on the dollar by the Federal Disaster Insurance Corporation (aka FDIC).
Thank God we are not there yet (and feel free to add your own examples).