HOARDING: The New Challenge for content Restoration

THE NEW CHALLENGE FOR CONTENT RESTORATION

Hoarding is real.

Hoarding behaviors include:acquiring and failing to throw out an excessive number of items that would appear to have little or no value to others (e.g., papers, notes, flyers, newspapers, clothes)

*Mayo Clinic Research

While not recognized as a form of OCD until recent years, hoarding in nothing new.

The eccentric Collyer brothers, Homer and Langley, lived as hermits in their Harlem, NY brownstone. Both were found dead inside of their home in 1947.

Hoarding is not a new disorder.

Source: nydailynews.com

Surrounded by 140 tons of trash, Langely Collyer was literally buried alive.

“Detectives Joseph Whitmore and John Laughery look down at the mess inside the Collyer home in 1947. Turns out what they’re seeing is actually the body of Langely Collyer. The 61 year old hermit was found dead in his four story brownstone under a pile of debris.” - NY Daily News

His brother, Homer Collyer, who became blind and paralyzed in the early 1940’s was also found deceased in the home, left to starve to death after his brother’s demise.

After their bodies were discovered (1947) the city was left to clean out the brownstone. Source: NY Daily News

Reportedly, all four levels (basement and three above-ground floors) were completely consumed by the hoard.

The cleanout included 5 grand pianos, a car chassis, a pipe organ, countless antiques, the jawbone of a horse, and a human skeleton along with mountains of garbage. Source: NY Daily News

In the beginning, hoarding may appear to be just some clutter.

It may not seem like a huge problem. Often, starting in one area of the home.

If the problems goes unresolved, the hoard tends to grow day after day, week after week, year after year.

Eventually, the

HOMEis

CONSUMED

There is growing concern about hoarding in the insurance industry.

Insurance agents and adjusters are left with tough questions.

Policy coverage

concerns include covered

loss versus exclusions.

Where do you start?

Where do you start?

What are the right questions to ask?

Where do you start?

Would you know which questions apply to the loss and how to determine what is relevant?

What are the right questions to ask?

Where do you start?

Would you know which questions apply to the loss and how to determine what is relevant?

What are the right questions to ask?

Are you sure?

Was loss exacerbated by hoarding?

Do contents impair structural integrity of structure?

Was it neglect or accidental?

Is the content coverage enough?

You need

answers.

We can help.

You need

answers.

COMING MAY 5, 2015…

THE NEW CHALLENGE FOR CONTENT RESTORATION

Continuing Education for Insurance Professionals.

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