West Virginia
The list never got finished
On November 29, 2021 the Idlemans’ house burned. State Farm paid the house coverage: $215,094.
They started a list of what was inside and did not finish it. In June 2022 the insurer offered $5,634.64 for what was written down so far, and said that was not a final settlement. The contents limit was $128,100.
On July 18, 2023 a federal judge said they do not get that full limit just because the house burned. They get what they can prove, up to the limit.
Court order. Idleman v. State Farm, July 18, 2023.New Mexico
60% with no list
This one is not a single family’s cheque. On July 24, 2024, after the Salt and South Fork fires, the state insurance office asked insurers to pay 60% of the contents limit with no inventory.
The other 40% still needed a list. On a $100,000 limit, 60% is $60,000. That is what the middle banner is showing.
New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance, July 24, 2024.England
The will was torn
Carry Keats, 92, tore her will in hospital in 2022. She died on February 15. The estate was reported at about £800,000.
On November 15, 2024 the High Court said the tear counted. Her sister inherited. Five cousins who were named in the will were cut out. She tore it on purpose, with a lawyer in the room. This was not a secret edit.
The Telegraph, November 15, 2024. Crew v Oakley.Iowa
The list got the rest paid
A fire hit a house in West Des Moines on April 9, 2023. The Cutlers sent a spreadsheet of 1,291 items.
Appraisers put the house plus contents at $672,382.34. The insurer had paid $451,348. After the list and the appraisal, it paid another $248,845.66.
Iowa Court of Appeals, October 21, 2026.Santa Rosa
Every cup and saucer
Holly Webb’s house burned in the Santa Rosa fire. The contents limit on her policy was $237,000.
She said they wanted every cup and saucer, every spoon and fork, written down before the full amount. There is no public record of what she was finally paid, so that number stays off this page.
NBC Bay Area, kept by United Policyholders.