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Oriel 1
January 2014
At the beginning of January we had a crochet session where myself and Anna Phillips attempted to turn everyone into crochet queens. Anna made up a great little easy pattern to crochet circles which could then be turned into a garland, or maybe a coaster if you stopped at just making one. We will be having another crochet meet up on March 15 so come along to that one, and because everyone seems keen I'll try and add more dates to the rest of the year.
St Dwynwen's Day Cards and a Mocktail
Last saturday (25th) was St Dwynwen's Day! I hope you all had cards and treats... we had a family drop-in card making session here in St Fagans National History Museum and we also did a bit of sewing too.
We will be doing something pretty similar for Valentine's Day on 8th and 9th of February.
And the mocktail?
That was for reading group! We were discussing 'Rules of Civility' by Amor Towles which is set in 1930s New York and therefore we had suitably 30s type refreshments - Shirley Temples and kit kats all round! (the kit-kat was introduced in 1937). Our next reading group meet up will be on 22 February where we'll be discussing Alan Hollinghurst's 'The Stranger's Child'. It's a big book, so you'd better start now.
October 2013
Things I've been doing part two...
So part one of my epic sharing of photos with you looked at our summer art and craft activities. Part two is all about the food festival and a couple of craftivist sessions.
On a lovely sunny day up in the Italian gardens we had a picnic and took part in the Craftivist Collective project all about fashion. The project is all about how we love fashion and hate sweatshops, and as part of our event we talked about where we buy our clothes and what we can do to help the situation. It definitely made us all think more about ethical fashion and sustainability!
Another Craftivist project we've been a part of this year is the #imapiece jigsaw project. Earlier in the year we had a session where we made fabric jigsaw pieces embroidered with messages about global hunger and sent them to the craftivist collective to be a part of a huge installation. Just a couple of weeks ago we got a part of the installation back (300 pieces out of a whopping 700 or so) and exhibited it in St Fagans: National History Museum. We have also been adding to the installation ourselves, it will be up for a few days yet, so come and see it and let me know if you would like to add your own message.
For the food festival this year, myself and genius gardener Bernice made herbal teabags! Bernice picked and dried mint, lemon balm, fennel seeds and Elderflower from the gardens here in the museum and then we bought some teabags to fill and made little envelopes to put the teabags in for safe keeping, or as a sweet gift. We also made sure we had a pot of tea on the go all day and almost everyone liked our blend!
The last thing I wanted to tell you about is the Wedding Fayre that was held here a couple of weeks ago. You probably already know that you can get married here in St Fagans, either in the castle or in Oakdale. Well, now you can also have a hen afternoon tea party as well! as part of this tea party you can learn to dance, have hair and make-up done (vintage style), or get all crafy with me! The photos show what kind of things we could make... tissue pom-poms, name places, bunting... it will be lovely and I can't wait to take part!
That's all for today, but I do have some knit and sew group photos to share next time, and look out for half term halloween arts and crafts and quilt club on the 2nd and november. Happy Autumn!
Things I've been doing part one....
I've been taking photographs of all the activities I've been a part of, but keep forgetting to update the blog with them. Therefore this is going to have to be a two-parter as I have so much stuff to update you all with.
Ok. Let's go:
Our summer art cart activities included the super successful Iron Age shield making workshop. Ian (the celtic guy) and I spent two days running the workshop and we were really lucky to have volunteers on hand too as with all the glue, paint and celtic pattern designing it was pretty crazy. As you can see from the pictures, the finished results were just beautiful. I love the one that looks like maybe Chagall had a hand in it.
Artist Tracey Williams made the most wonderful house out of cardboard with visitors over the summer, inspired by our buildings on site. It was a lovely community project which I stupidly don't have any photos of!
I spent the rest of august doing a variety of art and craft workshops - we did some sketching of nature in the bird hide, made dragonflies out of wooden pegs and did gorgeous drawings and collages of the lily pads in the Italian Gardens with a bit of inspiration from Monet. We also did some sewing and made felt flower badges which were really popular.
If you took part in any of these activities, do you have any photographs you could share? and what did you think of our locations this year? was it fun going to the Italian gardens (I know I enjoyed it) or was it too far away from the main entrance? let me know!
July 2013
what i've been up to...
I've been pretty quiet blog-wise but not work wise! Oriel 1 is now shut so I've been taking my art and craft activities further afield, trying out different locations on the site in St Fagans: National History Museum and going to Hay festival, Tafwyl, as well as doing some outreach work with schools.
Our quilting club is still going and our next meeting will be on 20 July and will be all day! from 11 until 1 and 2 until 4 (though you are welcome to just come along for some of it). I have also started up a knit and sew group, it's just a chance to come along and meet new people and exchange ideas and the next one of those is on 28 September from 11 until 1.
To keep up to date with what we're up to quilt and craft wise, have a look at our facebook page
We've also taken part in a few Craftivism projects and hope to do more of those over the next few months too. Again, there's a facebook page for that, although we don't just meet in the museum and take part in lots of other events!
And the other newish thing that I've been involved with is the St Fagans book group (yep, there's a facebook page for that too) which meets every month (next meeting 20 july) to discuss novels that have links with the site or have links with Wales. We also invite speakers to come and give us some context for the books too - so, for instance, when we read 'The Rebecca Rioter' by Amy Dillwyn, Sioned Hughes (curator: Politics, Trade and Religion) talked to us about the Tollhouse in St Fagans, when we 'read' (I'm yet to finish it) 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' by Hemingway, Heulwen Thomas talked to us about the Welsh links with the Spanish Civil War, and last meeting when we disussed 'The Hill of Dreams' by Arhtur Machen, writer and Machenite Catherine Fisher talked to us about Machen's life and times. The current book we are reading is Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel and we'll then be joined by Dr Madeleine Gray who'll be giving her historical take on the novel whilst we visit the church.
If you are interested in getting involved with any of these things please let me know! my email address is email@example.com and I'd love to hear from you.
I have to get back to my crochet bunting now!
January 2013
Plant mewn Amgeuddfeydd
Ar 31 Rhagfyr, caewyd yr orielau yn Sain Ffagan: Amgueddfa Werin Cymru er mwyn gwneud lle ar gyfer gofodau addysg ac oriel newydd sy'n rhan o waith ailddatblygu yr Amgueddfa a ariennir gan Gronfa Dreftadaeth y Loteri.Yn ystod project 'Plant mewn Amgueddfeydd' diweddar, gofynnwyd i ddisgyblion o Ysgol Coed y Gof, Caerdydd, pa wrthrychau ddylai gael eu dangos yn yr orielau a pham.
December 2012
Oriel 1: the final days....
Just in case you don't know - Oriel 1 will be closing on 31 December, so make sure you visit us before then, there's not much time!
The gallery is full of such great objects - my favourites are the good luck charms, the (previously) concealed shoe and the Victorian brooches and jewellery made with woven human hair.
I've pretty much finished my duties for the year! This month we've been busy making Christmas decorations - tissue paper pom poms, paperchains and christmas tree decorations made out of felt - it's been lots of fun.
Next year I'll be starting up two new things - a craft group for adults and a reading group for adults, and we'll also be carrying on with our old favourites - quilt club, craftivism, art cart... it's going to be great!
Wishing you a happy Christmas and wonderful new year!
best wishes, sian.
October 2012
Craftivism at the Food Festival
Did you come to our food festival in September? I hope so as it was such a great event - look out for it next year if you didn't make it.
This summer the Craftivist Collective launched a jamming and sewing project which you can read all about right here and I thought that would fit in perfectly with the food festival, so that's what we did!
The idea is that you make some tomato jam (I am proud to say that I made some all by myself and it tasted good too) following a recipe from an amazing lady called Christine who lives in Africa. Then you embroider a message on a fabric jam lid - maybe something like 'if you don't grow, you don't change' or anything to do with food and global food issues. After you have embroidred your message, pop it on the top, secure it with ribbon and give your pretty jar of jam away! I think the giving it away is the most important part as you are sharing the message, you could give it to your MP or your local shop if you wanted, or just pass it along to friends and family, it all helps spread the word and provides an opportunity for talking about what you eat and where your food comes from.
The project is also linked in with Oxfam and their 'Grow' campaign, and we were lucky enough in St Fagans that Louise from Oxfam was able to come along and lend a hand - she also provided lots of leaflets for further information.
What do you think about the project? did you come to our drop in session? did you make the jam and did you pass your jam along to someone else? I'd love to know!
Summer art activities
How was your summer? it was pretty busy for me!
As usual we ran the art cart in Oriel 1 everyday throughout August and our focus this year was weaving. We mainly did paper plate weaving (or circular weaving) which proved to be really popular with all ages and looks really effective too - I am thinking of doing more of it for Halloween...but in black and orange of course.
Quite a few of the museum attendants helped run the art cart this year too and they also brought different ideas and skills along with them so that there was quite a variety of activities. Elen did some drop spinning with visitors and even showed them how to make their own drop spindle, and Elle showed everyone how to make amazing woven friendship bracelets using a circular piece of card.
In July Ian and I got together to plan and run a two day art activity in the Celtic Village. We decided to make Iron Age shields out of cardboard and to get the visiting children to decorate them with typical iron age patterns using stencils or their own designs.
The activity went really well and we were lucky that it fell on two beautiful sunny days (we were outside). It's definitely an activity we'll be running again
Come September and it was back to running sessions for visiting schools, I've written about my art session called 'Looking at Buildings' so won't go on about it again... just show you some pictures of wonderful drawings instead.
Then I took two weeks off work and went on holiday to San Francisco! and now I'm back and all inspired for more arts and crafts and workshops and everything! There are a few things coming up - the big draw this saturday and next (6+13 oct 2012), a couple of craftivist things (one this sunday 7th in gwdi hw which isn't directly linked with St Fagans, and one on the 20th of October as part of the Made in Roath festival whic is), and then it will be half term and time for Halloween!
phew, happy making!
June 2012
looking at buildings with 'families learning together'
I met a lovely group this morning from 'families learning together' who took part in one of my looking at buildings sessions.
I sent them out to do some sketches and they came back with these beauties! We then turned the sketches in to 3d models and they were really wonderful!
Conserving Government Propaganda prints from the Great War
Historic Photography Project (Esmee Ffairburn)
Linking Natural Science Collections in Wales
Oriel 1
Research in Norway and the Barents Sea
St Fagans National History Museum Making History Project
recent entries
A Window into the Industry Collections


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4/06 in Yankee History
The red-letter day:
1973: At Fenway Park, the Yankees' Ron Blomberg becomes the first official Major League designated hitter.
The first ball is thrown out by Ed Folger' a Red Sox farm
hand who had his legs amputated last September following a farm
In the top of the first, Blomberg takes his place in history when
he faces righthander Luis Tiant. Blomberg walks with the bases loaded
and winds up 1-for-3 in the 15-5 loss to Boston. Sox DH Orlando
Cepeda goes 0-for-6' but Carlton Fisk strokes two homers' one a grand
slam' in the 20-hit Boston barrage. 2nd baseman Doug Griffin notches
four hits for Boston' who overcome a 3-0 deficit by scoring eight runs
to chase Mel Stottlemyre by the third inning. The Yanks record eight
hits off Tiant' five by the Alou brothers, Matty and Felipe
* * * * *
On other 6ths of April…
The first Sunday home game in the old Yankee Stadium's final
fills the 50,000-plus in attendance with optimism, as Yankee ace
Chien-Ming Wang bests Tampa's Steve Shields 2-0 in a pitchers'
duel. Offensive heroics go to DH Hideki Matsui, who highlights his
3-for-4 day at the plate with a two-run home run to right center in
the 4th. This comes shortly after Wang retired Willy Aybar at the
plate on an attempted suicide squeeze by throwing to catcher Jorge
Posada. Injuries to the three Yankees featured in this game will go a
long way towards spoiling the Bombers' season. In a rite that
continues to feature stars daily, Yogi Berra advances the
home-games-left counter from 76 to 75, Joe Pepitone having done the
honours the day before.
the field, this day marks the first appearance of Hiba Thamer (AKA
@beeeebzy46 on Twitter) in the life of your editor. Blogger, rising
Internet radio personality and all around good egg, Hiba has become
as indispensable as oxygen to anyone who has been fortunate enough to
get to know her over the past 3 years in the online Yankee
community. Here's hoping for not only another three years in
her delightful company, but another three decades. Cheers!
2003: Alfonso Soriano and Nick Johnson hit back-to-back homers to start
the game as the Yanks beat Tampa Bay' 10-5. Rogers Clemens notches
career victory No. 295.
1982: A foot of snow cancels the Yankees opener with the Rangers at the
Stadium. Tomorrow's game with Texas and the first two with the White
Sox will also be canceled because of snow and ice. With 2 games snowed
out in Chicago' the Red Sox will return tomorrow to Winter Haven' FL.
1977: Former Yankee utility infielder Andy Phillips is born, Happy 34th, AP!
1974: The Yankees open their two-year stay at Shea Stadium before a
crowd of 20'744. 12-year-old Teddy Kennedy' Jr.' flanked by his father
and Mayor Abe Beame' tosses out the first ball. Missing from the
ceremony is George Steinbrenner' indicted two days ago for illegal
campaign contributions. Graig Nettles' two-run homer in the 4th off the
Indians' Gaylord Perry opens the scoring and the Yanks score 4 more
times to win' 6-1. Charlie Spikes scores the only Cleveland run in the
9th following a triple off starter and winner Mel Stottlemyre. Perry'
who is warned once for an illegal pitch' is the loser today' but he
will win his next 15 decisions.
'70s Yankee spot starter Ken Clay is born. Though his principal claim
to fame is as the only pitcher in franchise history to give up
back-to-back inside the park home runs, here's wishing KC a happy
57th anyway!


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Geico Drags Its Feet On Claim -- Tows My Car, Loses My Car, Appraisers On Vacation
Posted by
CENTRAL NJ, NEW JERSEY -- My car was totaled by a falling tree on our street 3:30 am on 5/12. Car completely crushed from front to back, driver to passenger sides. Police report indicates "vehicle completely crushed." I called Geico first thing that morning to file a claim. It has now been over a week (5/19 afternoon) and Geico has done nothing, except lose records of where my car is and assign to appraisal to two appraisers who are on vacation. Every time I call to check on progress I'm given a different story and assurances that this was just a fluke and my claim will be resolved promptly. After spending most of the day today on the phone with various people I just called to tell them I would be posting their handling of my claim on the web. Let's see if that helps.
A few details:
--5/12/08 Geico agent told me it might take as long as 3-5 business days for an adjuster to appraise my car, and said they wouldn't schedule for the adjuster to look at car until I had the tree removed. After I had tree removed, I called back and explained that this was my only car so I needed to expedite process so I could begin looking for replacement vehicle. I was told that the process would go much faster if I had car towed to auction service in area (IAA) where inspectors were there at least every other day to inspect cars. Scheduled for car to be towed to the recommended IAA location.
--5/13 Car towed to IAA. Called to confirm. Called Geico to confirm that they knew car had been towed and was waiting at IAA for inspection. Told adjuster would be scheduled to look at car soon. Called again and told 'it looks like car is total loss' and appraiser would call me with information on how much for car.
--5/14 Called again, car hadn't been assigned to appraiser yet. Called again, still waiting for appraiser to be assigned.
--5/15 Called again, got name of appraiser assigned to car, confirmed location of car, was told she was waiting to schedule when to see car. Told appraiser three keys for car and info about condition of car and extras (new tires, etc) placed in car for her review.
--5/16 Called again. Appraiser can't see car until Sat at latest.
--5/17 Call appraiser. She tells me she has 'bad news' car is not where her report told her it would be. She'll have her supervisor figure out where car is and reschedule appraisal ASAP. Call Geico, discover their records indicate car is still in my driveway waiting for appraisal to be scheduled! After many holds records are sorted out and apologies about errors and delays. "We now have everything straightened out."
--5/19 Call appraiser, get voicemail saying she is on vacation this week! Call Geico. Apologies. They call back and confirm appraiser is really on vacation. Job assigned to new dispatcher. Call Geico and learn new appraiser assigned by dispatcher is on vacation today! Call supervisor. Tells me new appraiser is on vacation, nothing can be done today, but he'll look at your car later this week. Call again to complain. Told new appraiser will try to look at car tomorrow or maybe Wed. Call again, told Appraiser will be asked to make this a priority.
--5/20 Call new appraiser. He's back from vacation. Hasn't heard anything from dispatcher about appraising my car today, but promised to look at car first thing tomorrow (5/21) and get back to me.
Car was in excellent condition. I need to know how much I will get for car before I can even begin to decide what to do next. We have only one car. I didn't opt for rental car insurance. Now friends who have made claims with Geico tell me they always give you a low estimate and you have to 'go through the process to get fair value.' If it has taken this long and they haven't even given me an estimate I don't know what I'm going to do if I then have to go back an negotiate for fair value of car. I really hope that posting this information can help encourage Geico to give fair service and stop delaying.
--5/21 Called appraiser. He was looking at my car when I called. While appraisal was not as much as I had hoped (not enough to buy equivalent make and mileage car in my immediate area before taxes) it was within the range of what the published NADA value. Appraiser noted that front and back bumpers seemed to be cracked. I explained that car had no significant bumper damage--certainly no cracks. Damage to bumper must be from the forklift they used to open trunk at salvage area. He reduced deduction for prior damage. Was able to view appraisal online by end of day. Title mailed to Geico by overnight mail. I included preaddressed return envelope to expedite receipt of check.
--5/28 received check for totaled car. It was about $1000 less than what I could purchase closest make and model to car I lost in my area, but that's about as good as it gets.
Resolution Update 05/30/2008:
totaled car was appraised and check sent. I do feel that posting this review helped to expedite the claim process and encourage others to be persistent in making sure their claims are processed efficiently.
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Suusan B. on 05/19/2008:
You were told on 5/12/08 that it would take 3-5 business days to get your car appraised and today is the 5th business day after the tree fell. I'm sorry but thus far I don't see what Geico has done wrong. You are anxious to have them deem your car a total loss and assign a value to it so you can purchase another one but these things don't happen in a week. So if I were you I'd hold off blasting them all over the web as that tactic might do you more harm than good.
Caddeau on 05/19/2008:
Funny, comments above are quite similar to those made by the Geico rep. Had I not called every day to follow up on each stage of the appraisal process it would have ground to a halt with each one of the processing errors I mentioned (not knowing where car was, appraiser going on vacation, etc). Add up all of the individual issues I've been asking them to address over the last 5 business days and you can see how the process would take several weeks. Plus, the 3-5 bus days time frame was for someone to come to my house. Towing the car to IAA was supposed to mean they had an appraiser there every 48 hours to inspect cars. I don't really think Geico could do any worse by me simply for my reporting the difficulties I have encountered in working with them, but perhaps you know more than I do about how Geico handles such things.
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Lightning Struck my Car. Geico balks at repairs
Posted by
CENTRAL, IOWA -- Full story: http://aviary.info/cardamage
July 8th, 2004
Here's the "story"
There was quite an impressive display of thunder and lightning this morning as a formidable thunderstorm swept through the area. Our power was out for some time and during all of the commotion, I had to get ready to go to work.
It was an uneventful trip until about 5:15 am. I was startled to say the least when my ears were assaulted by one of the loudest cracks and booms of thunder I'd ever heard. Part of the whole effect though, and perhaps the more important effect was the bright white flash. My whole world turned into a loud white flash.
As soon as the light faded, my car started honking at random, the driver's side power seat went all the way down and reclined into the back seat and of course, my car stopped running and I coasted to the shoulder on the side of the road.
Not good. Car won't start. I did manage to get it to stop playing random settings on my dirver's side chair by removing and replacing the power from the battery but that didn't do anything to bring back my computer monitor that usually tells me my MPG, time, temp and such. It's just showing lines and dashes. So, I've just lost a good car... got a spare? :)
April, 2005
It.s important to note that Midstates Ford in Waukee, IA diagnosed several problems as .old age. so now Geico isn.t going to cover those repairs. These are: Cooling fan module/regulator, light amplifier (for automatic headlights). A new problem has been found since the temp has started rising in the area. The air conditioning pump doesn't work when you turn on the air. The little clutch that should lock so the belt turns the pump doesn't lock. Of course, I can't afford another $250 for Midstates Ford to tell me it's also OLD AGE. (they charged me $266 to diagnose the lights and cooling) Midstates described the problem with the light amplifier as a burnt out resistor. WELL that certainly sounds like an electrical surge issue to me. Evidently not.
I.m mad at Geico for not protecting my investment, which is why I purchased the insurance to begin with and I.m very angry at Midstates for handling the issue with a startling amount of incompetence. They didn.t even know how to get the claim to Geico! They wanted me to pay for the repairs then get reimbursed myself.
I haven't had a chance to contact Geico yet about the body damage. Likely they're going to ask why I didn't notice before. Well, I haven't been able to DRIVE THE CAR is why. It was struck almost a YEAR ago (July 2004) and I've JUST NOW gotten it to a point where it's at least drivable as long as I don't go too slow or stop while it's running because it'll over heat. Yah, this is why we have full coverage insurance huh people?
On the photo pages, you'll see pics of my back window. I tried cleaning that off, scraping it off, it doesn't come off. It's part of the window now. I bet money Geico's going to deny it.
So I.ve had the car towed to R&D in Stuart, IA, they towed it to Mid-states ford in Waukee, IA who then had the vehicle in their shop on several different occasions.
April, 2005
The last time I took it to them I gave them this paper as well:
ATTN: Midstates Ford
After getting my car back from Midstates Ford the transmission had begun to fail so I parked the car for a little over a month. I finally sent it to Mitchel Transmission in downtown DM to have the transmission rebuilt. Since getting the car back from them there are the following lingering issues which I think are from the original lightning damage:
Headlights: At first they would shut off when the car was turned off or after the delay setting but the parking lights would remain lit. Now, the headlights just stay on all the time regardless of the auto-lamp settings and delay settings. Midstates reply: Old Age caused the resistor to burst
Alarm: Horn/alarm goes off at random after exiting the vehicle. No combination of locking, keys, keypad, etc prevents it. Midstates reply: That I have an aftermarket alarm installed, which I don.t.
Cilmate Control: Likes to switch itself into a manual fan speed mode out of Automatic periodically and without warning. It has done this 2-3 times an hour. I thought it was just overly sensitive and was switching over bumps but it.s done it on smooth roads as well and once while parked. Midstates reply: Can.t diagnose because the cooling fan isn.t working so they didn.t want to drive it. . Explain to me then why I dropped it off with almost a full tank and pick it up with under a quarter?
Electric cooling fan: This doesn.t seem to be working at all. The car has overheated 3 times. I am pretty sure I.ve now completely messed up the anti-freeze mixture ratio. Midstates reply: Old age
All of these issues have been present since I have been driving the car. I didn.t really notice any of them when I drove it back from Midstates the first time because that the transmission was shot so I disconnected the battery and parked it for over a month.
Last time the car was in to get the climate control replaced the trim around the climate control was broken and is now loose so please be careful this time when removing parts from the car. Midstates reply: None
I.d also like it if you could get the air filter cover bolts replaced. I know this isn.t something you can submit to the insurance company but if you could give me an estimate of what you.d charge to get those stripped bolts off and replaced I think I.d rather just pay you to do it than try and work it out myself. Midstates reply: None
I have another Mark VIII that I can grab parts from to use on my car so if you can tell me the name of the piece that.s causing the anti-lock brake issues I could swap with the parts car and have mine working again hopefully. I might have to swap the new part you installed with the used part from the parts car but either way, I should be able to get ABS working again myself if I knew what the two parts were that were having trouble. Midstates reply: None
April, 2005
In addition to what's listed, I just noticed that the AC doesn't work either. Never had the car when it was warm enough out to notice. It worked before the lightning but doesn't work now. Come to think of it, since it was raining the morning I was struck, odds are great that the AC was on at the time. They claim the following things went bad as of old age. I claim it was bad due to the lightning. I had less than 300 miles on the car from the time I got it back from the tranny shop till the time I dropped it off at Midstates Ford.
May, 2005
Here's the latest email I sent to Mid-states ford 5/16/05: My vehicle was struck by lightning and the shop (Brian at Mid-states) has now started claiming that various items that are broken are now related to .old age. and not the electrical surge from the lightning. This makes no sense because the things that are broken are all electrical. The cooling fan which is tied directly into the A/C is broken as is the A/C, the automatic headlights are also shot.
The A/C was recently noticed when it got warmer out last week. I found out today that the A/C is directly linked to the cooling fan on the vehicle. The odds of the A/C going bad at the same time as the cooling fan are slim. The odds of an electrical surge from lightning causing the damage is pretty good.
Here.s some information on the car and the insurance company/auto shop.s handling of it:
http://www.aviary.info/cardamage I need to have this looked at again. I paid $260+ to have someone open the car to diagnose several issues I was having trouble with and only got responses to two of those. The car was struck by lightning almost a year ago. Since then it.s been in the shop about 5 times, 4 of them at your location. When I finally got the car back the 3rd time, I had a transmission issue that wasn.t there before. Well I paid $1400 to have that fixed and then I noticed I still had other problems. By the time I got Brian on the phone again and brought it in, they evidently decided that it was old age. I don.t know if it.s because Brian is being intimidated by Geico or not but it.s ridiculous to think that these ELECTRICAL problems are not caused by the lightning. This isn.t a case of, well it WAS working and now it.s not. It.s a case of I never had the car to see what was broken or not until recently and these things ARE NOT WORKING. They didn.t go bad over time, they didn.t go bad at different times. they all went bad AT THE SAME TIME.
To top it all off, Midstates has never even mentioned the body damage. I knew of two locations that had physical damage. The grill and the driver.s door. I had the grille fixed at the first shop that looked at the car (the R&D shop in Stuart who eventually brought it to Mid-states). The driver.s door wasn.t a big deal to me because I was sick of dealing with you. Well I got the car back and actually drove it for a bit. I washed it off last week and found what looked like a stain on the back window. I tried washing it off and couldn.t. I then looked closer and found that it was electrical damage. The windshield, driver.s door and back window all have damage. You can see the damage on the photos on the page I listed. http://www.aviary.info/cardamage/hires.htm
Have someone contact me who cares what the general public thinks about your company.
I'm also trying to contact a couple of attorneys in my area. If you know of a good one, let me know. chad at aviary.info
May, 2005
Recently, I contacted someone at the National Lighnint Safety Institure and Richard Kithil, Jr., Founder and CEO took the time to respond to the photos I submitted. Here are his two replies and contact information, reprinted with his permission.
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Kithil Jr.
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 6:52 PM
To: Kovac, Chad
Subject: Re: Car struck by lightning
We have two PhDs in electrical engineering, very
experienced with lightning issues, who both have
concluded lightning was the proximate cause of
damage to your car.
Let the insurance company submit their own
outside expert opinion and we will compare
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Kithil Jr.
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 9:47 AM
To: Kovac, Chad
Subject: Re: Car struck by lightning
Electronics and associated wiring are often
damaged by lightning's high voltages. A
competent examiner should inspect each
component in the car. Yes, use our info.
and have insur. co. contact us if they wish.
See if insur. adjuster knows the term "lichtenberg
figure" as that is what is on your window glass.
Only lightning can create this pattern.
Richard Kithil, Jr., Founder & CEO
National Lightning Safety Institute
891 N. Hoover Ave., Louisville CO 80027
Email: rkithil (at) lightningsafety D0T com
Internet: www.lightningsafety.com
Tel. 303-666-8817; Fax 303-666-8786
A Non-Profit Agency Providing Objective
Information about Lightning Hazards.
New Global Lightning Safety Bulletin Board at:
May, 2005
Response from Mid-States Ford:
-----Original Message-----
From: Gary McKnight
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 12:26 PM
To: Richard Kithil
Cc: Kovac, Chad
Subject: CHAD KOVAC VEHICLE
The insurance claim guy came and saw the car this morning. He agreed that the body damage is lightning related and is going to communicate that to Geico.
I'm still screwed when it comes to the other issues on my vehicle.
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IintheSky on 05/18/2005:
The good news is for yourself, as most people aren't exactly as disposable as a car, and not as easily fixed and/or replaced.
The bad news is the car. Three people in my family have been working in the automotive industry for most of our lives- over 100 years combined professional experience. After that type of experience- ie a lightening strike- the car might well be beyond practical repair.
Let me first state that basically any automobile is fixable, just depends on what ones insurance budget (or own budget) will allow. But when it comes to the computer and electrical systems in a car, these are usually some of the most expensive items in a car.
Sometimes- in order to replace a wiring harness, and any other electrical damage- it might even come to about the same as replacing the engine block. Yes it sounds (actually reads) a bit strange, but its true. An engine block replacement isn't all too much of a complicated procedure- because most professional mechancics have done at leat one- it's just the cost of the darn block that will get you every time.
As for electrical damage of this nature- its completely the opposite. A complete wiring harness isn't all that expensive, but when factored in with the labor it will cost many thousands- and is still not guaranteed of properly fixing the problem.
In conclusion, the car might be for all practical purposes gone. Make sure to hold to your guns (not literally please) with the insurance company. If they don't give you what you want go to the government regulatory agency above them (could anyone help me with their name??). Also if the car is being financed, make sure to express your problems with the place that is fanancing the car- they might actually be able to help you.
Best wishes on this one- luckily you weren't injured (or worse) in this event!!
Anonymous on 05/19/2005:
Nice helpful post biz. Google saves the day for you again. Biz, the "regular googlemeister".
Aember24 on 05/21/2005:
OK well first you can not expect an insurance company to cover items that were damaged in the first place insurance companies call this padding your claim. Secondly if an adjuster has examined your car and has found that these items were not damage due to lightning than they do not have to cover them. This is not just Geico but any insurance company. Can you prove that these items messed up because of lightning? Where they melted,burned, etc....If you can provide solid proof that these items were OK prior to the accident than submit them to Geico for review and see what happens.
ChadK on 05/25/2005:
I can prove the damages were lightning and no, they weren't broken before the lightning. I know it would be insurance fraud and illegal to claim these things were lightning damage if they were not. I'm not trying to lie, steal or cheat Geico or Mid-States Ford in this matter, I just want what is rightfully broken, fixed.
By the way, it's not really GEICO that is at fault here, it's MID-STATES FORD in WAUKEE, IOWA. Avoid them. They're skills are lacking.
Shewalkslikesumr on 06/07/2005:
No wonder GEICO has so many ads. They need to keep new people coming in so they can scam new customers. I saw on some investment program on tv that a company who advertises contantly are ones that you don't want to invest in. I know I'm sick of the constant reminder of my experience, stop giving the lizard a bad name.
Shewalkslikesumr on 06/07/2005:
Aember24 wake up he DID SAY the adjuster said it was due to lightning. I'm sure some of these people work for the lizard. They flat out lied to me several times, I have it on paper - therefore they will lie about ANYTHING.
sanford31031 on 06/09/2005:
Well if that's the case, then you need not be insured if you believe that commercials imply anything. What insurance co doesn't advertise? I see a lot other than Geico.
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GEICO Served My Family Very Well
Posted by
I have used GEICO auto insurance for many years. Fortunately, I had never needed to file a claim until recently when my 30 year old son was involved in a moderately bad collision with a tree after sliding backwards on a newly stone chipped road. His 2006 Toyota Tacoma sustained damages in excess of $7000. By the grace of God neither he, nor his two passengers were seriously injured.
We contacted GEICO claims at approximately midnight on a Saturday night. The initial claims adjuster listened to all the details, was helpful in explaining the process and reassuring that we would be taken care of. It sounded real good but quite honestly, I was dubious after all, this was a claim and previous dealings with other insurance companies had been painful at times.
The first thing Monday morning we were contacted by the assigned field adjuster. He arranged to have the truck picked up from an inpound lot immediately and towed to the auto body shop of my choice. He authorized a rental vehicle immediately and my son was back on the road on Monday afternoon. He re-explained the process, estimated the damages the following day and authorized repairs. When hidden damages were discovered he re-authorized further repairs. When the repairs and body shop took longer than initially estimated, the adjuster continuously re-authorized extended use of the rental vehicle.
The entire claims process worked as well or better than I had been assured that it would. Frankly, this was a really pleasant surprise as there were no negative outcomes. Following the repairs, I was contacted by an independent company hired by GEICO to evaluate our claims experience. Obviously, I evaluated our GEICO claims experience as a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 as it really was outstanding. I do not frequently post on this site and the one time I did a review, it was extremely negative. I feel out of fairness, I should do the same when I receive service and treatment way beyond my expectations.
For any and all of the skeptics reading this post, I assure you I am not affiliated with GEICO other than being a customer, This is absolutely the best insurance claim experience I have ever had.
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saj80 on 07/22/2010:
Why is your 30 year old son still on your policy?
goduke on 07/22/2010:
Glad your son and passengers are o.k., and that things worked out well. Nice review!
KoolHandStu on 07/23/2010:
Saj80, My son who is on my auto insurance policy at the age of 30 is presently there due to the current state of the economy. Although he has been totally independent for many years, the economy is in a double dip recession and he, just like many others, is struggling to make ends meet.
Thanks so much for asking this very personal question. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. Have a nice day.
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Geico - Surcharging For 5 Year - Dishonest - Goes Back On Their Word
Posted by
BETHESDA, MARYLAND -- I am DONE with Geico. They are a multi-billion dollar company that promises auto mobile drivers the best cost on insurance ... i.e. 15 minutes can save you 15%. However, they told me that my upcoming re-instatement period I should see a noticeable reduction in my premium due to being and accident and violation free customer for the last 3 years. My premium actually ended up being the same. I have been with them for 6 years. The last accident I had was on Sept 2005, and yet they say they are not penalizing me for the accident and do not surcharge for activity beyond 3 years. What a CROCK!!!! When I went on an online site that farms out the best quote I didn't put any activity in since I don't have any violations or accidents over the last 3 years. They had the nerve to send me a quote for $340 less than my premium that is coming up. Simple solution: Realize they are crooks and shop your insurance. I went to insurance.com and immediately got an email from a representative with another company saving me $200 instantly over a 6 month premium. Geico wanted to state I did receive a reduction but there was a rate increase in my area. What a bunch of bull!!! Yet they are now trying to encourage me to stay with them and that I will see a drastic reduction on my next term when the accident in 2005 falls off.... YET they don't surcharge for accidents and violations beyond 3 years. RIGHT?????? Don't believe what they tell you.
Also google them and find out how many lawsuits they have against them. I tried to also call and speak with a manager about my experience and disgust with them just so they know they are losing a loyal customer due to their dishonesty and yet I can't even get a manager on the phone!!!!!!! Good riddens GEICO!!!!!!
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Run Like Hell
Posted by
This company is the biggest rip off. I've had insurance with them for about 8 years and never have filed a claim. I had an accident and the other driver did not have insurance so I filed with Lieco.
No one would believe some of the things they did, but as I'm one to keep very good documentation I have proof of all of it.
My car was (it was totaled) a 2004 Grand Am in perfect condition.
I purchased it from where I work, a very reputable large dealership.
It had only 58,000 miles on it at the time of the accident. Right before my accident I just had new tires put on, new brakes and had it serviced.
The estimator didn't go look at my car for 10 days. Geico had moved it several times.
OK, now you better be sitting down. They told me my car value would be based on two things. Number one, the condition of my car...fair enough and the area where I live...fair.
They sent me a list of what was wrong with my car. Are you ready?
Burn holes, seats and floor stained, headliner tore, scratches on the dashboard, fuel leakage, had been repainted, tire tread 60% gone. Now I'm saving the best for last. THEY SAID MY CAR HAD NICKS, SCRATCHES, AND DENTS!!!! Yes, you read right. They were going to count off for a car that was totaled and had scratches and dents.
Oh it gets better...Then they told me they didn't base the value of a car by Kelly Blue Book at all. They used the Greensheet (personal ads paper) and other personal ads. When I disputed that saying replacement value of a car wasn't cars that no one even knew the condition of. They tell me they will send some from dealerships but they couldn't find any vehicles like mine in the Houston area. (600 square miles)They sent me vehicle prices from all over Texas and other states. I did a little research and found 14 in the Houston area and sent them to them. Of course they were valued at a higher price. This has gone on for 3 months. They offered me $2,000 below what is supposed to be.
My advice is not to get insurance with Geico and if you have it either cancel it or go by and have it estimated every 3 months.
Soon I will have a web-site. I will update this and give it out.
It's funny as heck. One last thing, did anyone ever hear of magical tires? Apparently they exist., because mine grew tire tread when I produced a receipt.
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goduke on 01/06/2010:
Even Kelly Blue Book values change depending on the condition of the car. Things like burn holes, scratches, etc., would all affect the value of the car. Hope you didn't have any physical injuries in the wreck. Sounds like it was a bad one.
WannaFairDeal on 01/15/2010:
I can't believe my eyes!!! This is exactly what I'm going through right now with Geico. I slid off the freeway on a snowy day and "totaled" my car...no one else was involved. The Geico agent is saying that there was over $7000 in damage to my car and they are offering to give us $3600 for it. If I go out and buy the same car today with the same mileage I would have to pay over $5000...they're not even giving me a fair market value for the car and they want me to hand over the title. They've got another thing coming...this is the biggest load of crap I've ever had to deal within my life and I'm not going to roll over and play dead...I can't believe an "insurance company" would try to do this to a person. Just because they have low rates doesn't mean they have competitive service...it is SO NOT worth it to pay less for such HORRIBLE service. Our agent just keeps saying "it's out of my hands, I didn't come up with this amount to give for the car, our independent company determines the amount"...how about someone takes some accountability and steps to the plate to deal with this is an honorable way? Oops, I'm sorry...that's too much responsibility for these people.
bobbyblanco on 07/17/2012:
great job with the tires. subtracting for dings and dents is normal and fair practice however. insurance is required to pay for your loss, you are not to make a profit on a claim. the vehicle you lost had dings and dents before the accident. had they paid the value of a vehicle without those dents, you would be profiting from an insurance claim.
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Beware of the GEICO auto insurance trap!
Posted by
We originally signed up with GEICO for auto insurance six years ago because their policy price was the most reasonable. With each year's renewal, however, the price escalated until we felt it was ridiculous. I called the company that we use for our home owner's insurance and asked for a quote. I was shocked when the agent called me back to tell me that he couldn't give us a quote because our CLUE report score was so bad. I didn't know what a CLUE report was, but I found out fast. A company called Choice Point keeps a claim history on people that they release to insurance companies. The history may include any call made to an insurance company regarding loss, EVEN IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY A DIME!
I called Geico and asked them to fax me a copy of the claims against us. Geico had reported four accidents against us that weren't our fault and for which they didn't pay any money--my car was hit in the rear twice and was hit while it was parked in a supermarket parking lot (fortunately, there was a witness); my husband's car was hit by someone who didn't have the right-of-way. Geico also reported a one-time emergency road service call against us (we paid for the service in our policy) and a one-time glass breakage against us (a small pit where the windshield was hit by a stone was repaired). With the exception of the glass breakage and the one-time emergency road service, Geico didn't pay any claims for us, yet GEICO REPORTED WHATEVER IT COULD TO PUT IN OUR CLUE REPORT TO RAISE OUR SCORE SO NO OTHER INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD WANT TO UNDERWRITE A POLICY ON US. When I called Geico to try to discuss the so-called "claims" against us, a snippy woman told me that they did not discuss these "claims," that they were for the use of the insurance company only.
Insurance agents have to pay for CLUE reports, so what most of them do is call to get people's scores. If the score is high, they don't bother getting the report; they don't want to insure you. After I found out what Geico had done, I called our insurance agent back and told him that I'd pay for the CLUE report. I think he was embarrassed, so he got it and called me back later with a quote--almost $500 less than what Geico was charging us.
Someone from Geico called to remind us to send our payment in for renewal. When I said we weren't using Geico anymore, the woman offered to give us a better rate by removing some of our "accidents." If nothing else, the people at Geico have real gall.
I wouldn't be surprised if some other insurance companies have the same dirty practices as Geico. We had an expensive, aggravating lesson.
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GRANNYLKM on 11/14/2006:
Very interesting! Never heard of CLUE reports before!
glc on 11/14/2006:
Garden: EVERY carrier uses CLUE reports..and all claims are reported, negligible or not.
DreyNikHaze on 01/06/2007:
I don't like Geico, I never have, they screwed my husband and I over very badly and I will never go back to them, and make sure that my friends and family never sign up with them. Great letter by the way!!
truckin21 on 01/28/2007:
When I signed up with Geico 2yrs ago I had a clean driving record--no tickets, no accidents, no claims period. My premiums were always paid in full when they were due (every six months). When I received my recent renewal I noticed it had increased. When I called and asked why the increase, I was told: "Even though you have had no claims our claims for your area has increased, therefore we must increase the premiums." Fine, increase it fon the ones that actually COST you money, don't increase the ones that SAVE you money. She said she was sorry, there was nothing she could do. I told her: "Well there is something I can do. Geico will no longer be allowed to insure my car." I immediately called AIG. I now have a policy that INCLUDES free road side service, Free 100% glass replacement, plus a Free transportation Continuance that pays me 30.00 @day up to a maximum of $900.00 if an accident delays me for any reason. All this for $150.00 LESS MONEY. Do your self a favor; Call AIG, or go to their web site: AIG Auto and get a quote, I garuantee you will save money. As for this CLUE thing, I have been dealing with insurance companies for well over 50 yrs. and this is the first time I have ever heard of such a thing.
Bababooey on 01/29/2007:
I was a longtime customer of AIG until my rates went up dramatically because I moved to a more urbanized area. Out of curiousity, I called GEICO for a quote, and I discovered that I could save almost $400 by switching from AIG to GEICO. Needless to say, I switched, and after 4 years with GEICO, I haven't had any problems (but I haven't had any tickets or accidents either).
Aember24 on 02/15/2007:
CLUE has been around for a long time and is used by most if not all insurnace companies. As far as the increase in territories regardless of claims history....that increase is taken by all insurance companies, not just one. And yes sadly it affects everyone. Even good drivers. This isn't done to rip you off or so the insurance companies can be bullies. But when there is a decrease in territory, no one complains? You guys have to realize that some things aren't done to rip you off or because insurance companies are big meanies? If you really think there is an issue contact the insurance commissioner in your state and report it. That is the quickest and best way to resolve problems when it comes to insurance.
geicoreallysucks on 09/04/2007:
Please post your comments about the CLUE report on www.GeicoBlows.com. I am sure the people there would like hear about it too. Thanks.
jktshff1 on 09/04/2007:
Good post, thanks for the information.
voice1 on 02/09/2008:
It never ceases to amaze me how uninformed the general public is about insurance..... something we all are forced to buy.
All insurance companies run clue reports and most reputable companies report all claims (negligent or non-negligent). How else can an insurance company determine what kind of risk someone will be without this info? It isn't an exact science but it is the best info available.
Would you go into business telling someone for a small fee you are going to promise to fix their property and any property they damage and pay for any injuries they cause without knowing something about their driving history and the driving history of anyone who drives their car? If you would ... good luck!
Would you charge an 18 year old with multiple accidents and tickets who lives in downtown Miami the same rate that you charge a 45 year old with a perfect record who lives 15 miles from the nearest small town?
Don't think just because all your accidents are not your fault that they aren't considered. In the world of insurance fraud (which is a big reason your rates are so high) most of those claims look to be not at fault at first glance. Multiple not at fault claims will make an insurance company raise an eyebrow sometimes faster than one at fault claim.
There are lots of people out there who need to get a "clue"... no pun intended.
garden on 02/10/2008:
What voice1 needs to do is re-read the original post that I wrote on Geico. Geico added every call that we made to them--CALLS FOR WHICH THERE WERE NO CLAIMS--to our Clue report, making it look like we had made a lot of claims, which we didn't. It's their practice, and it's outrageous! I said it before and I'll say it again--beware of Geico. Also, no matter what company you use for auto insurance, make sure you find out EXACTLY what they report on the Clue Report. If you don't, it could cost you plenty. Again, I hope this helps others.
spdwoody on 09/28/2010:
Great Post !!! Similar happened here in Mass. I had Progressive for 1 year. Renewal time the cost goes up 400 bucks- Good by Progressive
Now I just recently got Geico at what I was paying progressive.
So when that's up there going to raise my rates listening to you folks, So I'll get ready to cancel
Tracy CA on 03/28/2012:
Get a C.L.U.E. people. You had better find out what is in that report... Mine had five(5) claims listed out of 8 listed that DID NOT belong to me.
Dollarwise the 5 claims were for over $40,000 which I am sure MetLife incorporated into my premium payment. Get a C.L.U.E. people.
Just google LexisNexis to obtain one.
Ann on 05/04/2013:
GEICO is the best. I had another company for nearly 20 years, but the rates kept going higher and higher. I made the switch to GEICO and pay $600 less per year than I was paying with the other company. The customer service and claims service is unbeatable and they are open 24/7 and even on holidays. I will never switch from GEICO. As someone who has been using auto insurance for 45 years, GEICO is fantastic. Give them a call and find out for yourself.
po guy on 05/23/2013:
Gieco sucks, they don't try to take care of u if u have a claim, they alway look 4 a way not to pay no matter how clear cut it is...jus like most places,just wnt ur money..no good:(
Olga on 06/28/2013:
My son was insured by Geico, they failed to notify him when the renewal was due was not sent a reminder nor was he sent the cancellation notice, when he called, he was told that he has not been insured for six months, he did not know and in order for him to be insured the premium increased by $200.00, go figure, stay away from Geico. I would not sign up with them even is they insured me free.
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Posted by
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI -- I am on disability and used my money I got to buy myself a van. I bought full coverage online, but could not find the original policy. So, when I got in the first car wreck I've ever had - I called GEICO my insurance company in Kansas City, Missouri. I did have my insurance card which I presented to the police. GEICO would not tell me anything that day. I kept asking them, "I'm fully covered right?" They would not even ANSWER my question. They just CONTINUED to pound away with the questions about the accident. Then the people who were involved in the wreck were coming to my house and asking me what is going on with your insurance company, "we are prepared to sue," was left on my cell phone by the other driver. Several calls came to my house and cell phone from the other driver as they were getting tired of waiting around on GEICO. Then they told me to go get a police report at the police station, there I ran into the driver of the other car who hit me. He was angry because he had not heard anything about getting this settled. THEN, GEICO told me I only had LIABILITY coverage! They said when I called them to put my daughters car on the policy that I changed my van to liability coverage also!! WELL THAT WAS A LIE!! Jamie at GEICO told me that I had to PROVE it. I should have NEVER had told them that "I could not find the policy." Because I did tell them that. Also, I did not find the policy for quite some time, a few months probably. THEN I FOUND IT!! It was on my boyfriend computer. ALSO, I found an email they sent me saying that I" NEVER HAD FULL COVERAGE ON EITHER CAR."(!!) Since that CAN BE PROVEN in a court of law, I have both documents they should pay me for my van AND for the year of no vehicle. I have doctors appointments, spinal injections, shopping and No vehicle. I called them on this point. NOW, the guy just sits there on the phone - they wait for you to talk to see what else they can come up with. I explained this WHOLE thing over to him when I should have just stayed with an attorney which I didn't want to do because at that time I couldn't find the policy. Well, I made the mistake of telling him that when I had missed a payment my boyfriend picked up the payment and did pay. So, when I contacted the insurance commission all they wanted to concentrate on was that payment was missed. My boyfriend immediately helps me if I need money. However, they didn't mention his payment!! So, the commission didn't rule in my favor as they had no PROOF. They said the details weren't clear and I would have to get a lawyer, which I'm doing today. I would never put liability on a van in which I waited years to get and was the nicest vehicle I have ever owned, and is, WAS the only thing I had. I am going to write EVERY consumer agency, newspaper, and person who has dealt with GEICO and get the word out. My father had power of attorney over my sister and she went to the PEACE CORPS and no longer had her car. The car was here in the US. They would not allow him to cancel the policy even though he had all the documentation, her signature, everything. I think I'll have him post here also.
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dvsmadcow on 06/07/2005:
To the poster, before I start my advice, I want you to know that I was a licensed agent for GEICO for nearly five years (I know how they operate) so I am speaking with a little authority on how they work. If you see anything from someone named sanford or jodieu, she works for GEICO (currently) and can also assist.
If you ever come back and read this post please respond to these questions:
1.) you said that you had "full coverage," does this mean that you carried comprehensive and collision coverages? I'm not trying to belittle you here, "full coverage" means something different from everyone.
2.) You stated that you had found the information about your policy on your boyfriend's computer, did you find that you had collision coverage on your vehicle on the date of the accident? If you did, DON'T GO TO AN ATTORNEY, GEICO has nothing to fight...THEY HAVE TO PAY YOUR CLAIM NO IFS ANDS OR BUTS!!! If the coverage was in place at the time of the wreck, GEICO will HAVE to cover the claim. If, however, there was a break in your coverage ( for any reason ) your claim will be denied. If your coverage was in force at the time of the wreck then present this evidence to a supervisor or manager (hell, even ask for the area vice-pres (everyone has a boss (remember that!))) and let the adjuster do their jobs. If GEICO wishes to drag their feet, CALL A LAWYER.
3.) I understand your frustrations, seriously, but the one thing to keep in mind is that when you call into GEICO you are calling into a call center where the reps hear everything under the sun, but when legit proof is provided, you will see the professionalism and hard work that the agents will display in getting your situation resolved. Just relax, answer the questions, provide the proof, and you will be helped. I can tell by your tone in the post you're pissed, but blasting the people that try to help you won't get you anything but a migrane. If you wish for further help, post to my blog and get me the specifics and I will try to get you the name of a supervisor that could help you out.
sanford31031 on 06/09/2005:
It's simple. If you had "full coverage" then there is no argument here. We send out policies every 6 months and every time you make a change, so if any coverages were changed, you'll have it.
Shewalkslikesumr on 06/10/2005:
Welcome to GEICO Indemnity.
Your binder number is: 4015420344. Your 6 month premium is $724.40
Insured: Tracy Tooley of Kansas city MO 64114
Coverage is effective as of 12:01 a.m. MO local time on: 05/07/2004
Vehicle Covered Vehicle Identification Number
1998 Dodge Caravan 2b4fp25b2wr703607
The following coverages will be provided for the premiums shown:
Type of Coverage Coverage Limits 1998 Dodge Caravan
Bodily Injury Liability(BI)
$25,000 / $50,000
Property Damage Liability(PD)
Medical Payments(MED)
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury
$25,000 / $50,000
not provided
$500 deductible
Emergency Road Service(ERS)
not provided
Rental Reimbursement(RR)
not provided
Please reference this number if you contact us: 81676998940000
Yes, I had collision as you see with the 500 dollar deductible. There are other details in my favor but I will not post everything here. I DO have an attorney and will not put up with GEICO anymore. I suspect that some who post work for GEICO now. What they have done (I'm not an attorney) seems like fraud to me. As you do not have all the details, they take any information they get and twist it. It won't work because everything is on paper. If they ARE reading this, the payment from VISA WAS posted. My boyfriend saw it on the computer. VISA just told us that because something is posted doesn't necessarily mean that the payment is accepted. THE CARD IS AND WAS GOOD. YES I am pissed and why would I want to fool with GEICO EVER AGAIN?
dvsmadcow on 06/10/2005:
tracey, when did your policy cancel, before or after the wreck? from the way you blew up about your boyfriend's cc, I would have to say that your policy cancelled for non-payment. as I mentioned in my response to your post, if your policy was cancelled at the time of the wreck then you are wasting time and money (regardless of what you presented on this response regarding your coverages). I am a former agent that worked at GEICO, yes, but I'm not trying to tow their line right now, I'm telling you like ANY intelligent agent would tell you (no matter which company he/ she worked for). My experience is telling me, and correct me if I'm wrong, you hit someone (you were at fault) and GEICO came back to tell you that your policy had lapsed (been cancelled)...long story short, they have tried or are trying to deny the claim, is this anywhere near what's going on? As you said, I don't have all the pertinent facts and I'm just going on the four and a half years experience I had listening to customers try any and everything to get out of coughing up the money they owed. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that there is a lot more going on behind the scenes of that you don't know about such as researching the relevant facts as given by the other driver, making certain that the other driver and all passengers' medical bills are covered (up to your policy limits), inspecting the damage of both vehicles, etc. and these issues take time to resolve (admittedly, one year is a bit too much time). Contrary to some of the posts that you will undoubtedly read about how crappy GEICO is as an insurance company, or those directed at myself or sanford, I will close now with these helpful hints:
1.) when you secure insurance again, PLEASE increase your PD limits to at least $50k because if you were in a major multi-car wreck, that $10k you had to cover other people's cars is not going to pay for anything (it's also a lot cheaper than you think).
2.) Judging by what you said about VISA I can surmise that they are saying that they are confirming what GEICO had advised about the monthly payment not being paid. If your boyfriend saw the payment on the computer, contact VISA and ask them to send a reconcilliation of the account for the past year (They should be able to do this) so you and your boyfriend can dissect every transaction.
3.) If you have it, provide the confirmation number (with cc payments it's always the authorization number) you got when you made the payment. By providing this number, you can prove the payment was made and then Geico will have to reinstate the policy back to the date of the termination....in other words, you will be covered.
Shewalkslikesumr on 06/10/2005:
I wonder why you are saying I blew up about cc. The first issue GEICO presented me with and stuck with for many months is that I switched my coverage to liability which I did not. No, I'm not real happy after almost a year now. After I told them I couldn't find my policy I did online they came up with this downright lie. They come up with this payment issue much later, after I had found the policy and I had mentioned the cc to them. At that time I wasn't blowing up because I had been told by a woman if you read my post, that a mistake had been made and both my van and my daughters car had been put on liability on accident. So, I thought at the time I just had to explain this whole thing over again as this guy didn't seem to know what I was talking about or was seeing if I stuck with my story. The policy was cancelled after, which my van was totaled anyway. However, my daughters car was still on it. I received NO cancellation notice prior for nonpayment. Now the visa card, the payment was posted as in he called in and made the payment available to GEICO and they did not take the payment. The policy was still in effect, if not then I suppose they wouldn't have recognized the policy period - if it had been cancelled, but it had not been. Whos fault? As I state before, someone hit me. Some 20 year old that had been in 9 wrecks, in fact he told me his mother had been in an accident at the same intersection he said. I was in an intersection on a busy traffic day in a school zone waiting on a car to turn right when the light turned yellow as I was waiting. I was making a left hand turn. I went for my turn and a car went through the light and hit me on the right side of my van, totaling it and pushing me to hit another car that was stopped at the opposite light. The girl at that light told me that the guy had run the light. I was so shook up as I had never been in an accident. However, the guy behind me said it was my fault and that I turned in front of the guy. Well, my light was definitely getting ready to turn red and I wanted to get out of intersection and thought it was clear. I think this kid had to be speeding and don't know if he was charged with that, but he totaled my car, damaged his own (maybe totaled it, I don't know), and also made me hit another car. The woman in the backseat of his car went to hospital and was bleeding all over the place. A baby also went to hospital that was in the car I hit. The mother of that baby (whose car I hit) said it was hit fault. She was sitting still. The intersection is a BAD intersection and there are wrecks there all the time. It is hard to see around cars and there is no arrow. 3 teens were killed there recently. So anyway, GEICO told me the girl that was on my side, changed her story. Maybe she did because she thought I had no insurance. I don't know. I don't trust GEICO so I don't know what the deal was with her. But she told me in front of witnesses as she was the best one to see the wreck that the kid ran a red light. She was trying to tell the police to write that down but he was being rude, even the tow truck driver commented on it and did not write what she said down. Now, she had no insurance I think. GEICO told me they paid out medical bills to the other drivers people in their car. It is not a valid way to do business. To have one argument against me of never having anything but liability and then when I prove otherwise to make up a payment issue. My belief was that I was covered and since GEICO would give me no answers at the accident, which should be against the law - the tow truck driver was never paid, nor was the storage of the van as they waited for their decision. A school bus backed into me one time and there was no problem. I think it was Prudential, can't remember. But, I was paid, THE NEXT DAY for damages. We are handling Visa, GEICO needs to give an explanation as to why they didn't take the payment that was made available to them. It was phoned in, maybe another mistake. It was in a different name than the policy however he told them that over the phone which is why it was posted to the account. Visa has been very helpful. I don't know what GEICOs problems are, but mistakes have been made on their behalf and they need to stop spending so much on commercials and a little more on their current clients.
Drillsergeant on 06/29/2006:
The moral of the story is ask questions don't give answers. Let them dig a bigger GEICO hole. I will have to relay this to my wife and ride out the next 3 months and CANCEL.
That is thay let me cancel I see they have problems in that area too. Holding customers hostage.
Shewalkslikesumr on 07/08/2006:
I also would like to tell you all that I asked KEN KITCHENS from GEICO to send me a copy of my ammendement policy. My policy was amended as I added my daughters car to the policy. I received the amendment and remember seeing that it looked like they had removed the van's coverage and put it on liability as well. I remember writing directly on the paper that I signed that my van is supposed to be carrying full coverage and that the car only was to be on liability. I talked to KEN who refuses to send me a copy of my amendment to me, and actually sent me over to the "training" dept or something to that effect. He said we have already been over this and will not send! He knows what is on there and what I wrote I suppose. I did not sign on the line. I signed to the side under my notations. I think I will call Ken everyday now. Do I have to get a subpoena to get that document. Yes, I should have kept a copy.
Scootis on 01/06/2008:
I would be intersted to know how you made out with Geico. Its been over a year since your last post, I hope that you resolved it by now. If you used a lawyer in KC, please advise as to whom and also your results.
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Cancellation Because of Lack of Information ?
Posted by
FLORIDA -- I took out an insurance policy with GEICO, they offered the best price for the coverage I wanted. Five (5) days later, I received a letter for their 'area representative', asking for a copy of the title on the truck I had purchased the day I took the policy out. WITHIN 10 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE LETTER, dated the day I took out the policy. I had not received registration / title and I contacted the dealer I purchased the truck from. He laughed and told me I would be lucky if I received the title in 30 days, much less 10 days ("unheard of ").
I sent copy of application for title which is almost the same. GEICO informed me they were canceling policy due to lack of documentation. I called GEICO headquarters and told them what was going on. They connected me with the 'department head',he was a head alright. He informed me I had not sent the required document, to which I told him I could not do within the time restraints he gave ( guy sounded like he was from India). All he would say is " you did not send the documentation requested" when I tried to explain he said "you did not send the requested document". I hung up, now I am paying twice the price for same coverage, but I have insurance. NEVER AGAIN GECKO ! BTW this happened in Florida.
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John Nicholson on 08/25/2013:
Consider what happened fortuitous. Geico is most assuredly NOT a company for any kind of insurance, especially auto insurance. They are, despite the cute little green guy in the commercials, just as expensive as other companies and their customer service is foreign-based and very inadequate---as you found out. Check out State Farm, AAA or just about anyone else, except for Progressive, which also has bad customer service. Always go with a company that has a local rep. These big ones, like Geico and Progressive, are run out of large call centers where you get no personalized service, if you even get service at all. Good luck. You got lucky.
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Dumping The Cute Gecko
Posted by
HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT -- After noticing that my annual premium rose by $100, I inquired. emails unanswered, I called. They said that it was "due to my age," Thus, the fact that I had not been in an accident or traffic incident of any kind for half a century bore no significance to them. I was arbitrarily and stupidly dumped into a bin. I dumped them back, they lose the income from my account and the new carrier charged me $200 less for the same coverage. This was after over a decade of business with them but to them loyalty is strictly a one-way street.
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Val on 06/12/2013:
We, too, dropped Geico. Every year the premiums would creep up. Went with a different carrier, "apples to apples" coverage for $300 less a year. Was tired of paying for their God awful commercials, anyway.
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Fees Due After Non-Renewal
Posted by
CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE -- I recently cancelled my policies with GEICO. I had been a relatively satisfied customer for over 15 years! Recently, I was able to lump my homeowners policy, my auto policy and my umbrella policy into one and received a significant discount. I did this before my GEICO policy was to be renewed. I then received a bill from GEICO for $18.08 stating that they had continued my policy when I had already received notices that it was cancelled. Now, they have sent this to a collections agency! What CONS! Find a better policy. Go with your local insurance broker in your own communities! That's what I did.
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Soaring Consumer on 01/09/2013:
I strongly suggest that you write a letter of dispute to the collections agency in certified mail. Obviously you should not have to pay for service after it already ended.
ok4now on 01/09/2013:
Do you think that all of those Geico commercials luring unsuspecting people in are cheap? This is just one of their ripoff scams. Be glad that you dumped them.
CowboyFan on 01/09/2013:
Do you want to be right, or do you want to be happy? The final bill is $18.08 for which the op allows it to go to a collection agency. The OP paid thousands of dollars to them over 15 years, so the $18.08 is not going to break him. My belief is that life is difficult enough without getting into a dispute over $18.08-- I would just have paid it and gone on.
Someone will say it is the principle of the thing. If so, then the OP has to pay the consequences of fighting for principle, including getting it reported to the credit agency, getting upset, arguing with GEICO, etc. To me that is not worth it for $18.08.
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9 A.M. Weather Update
There could be some scattered showers on Friday and Saturday, but Sunday should be clear, Lauren Casey reports (0:30).
WCCO This Morning - June 27, 2013
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The Speech Had Potential
Leslie H. Gelb comments on President Obama's State of the Union address.
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President Emeritus and Board Senior Fellow
U.S. foreign policy; national security; Russia; Middle East.
Dr. Leslie H. Gelb is among America's most prominent foreign policy experts. A Pulitzer Prize winner, former correspondent for the New York Times, and senior official in state and defense departments, he is currently president emeritus and board senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He served as president of the organization from 1993 to 2003.
Prior to his tenure as president of CFR, Dr. Gelb established a distinguished career at the New York Times, where he was a columnist from 1991 to 1993, deputy editorial page editor from 1986 to 1990, and editor of the op-ed page from 1988 to 1990. He was national security correspondent for the Times from 1981 to 1986, where he won the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism in 1986. He was diplomatic correspondent at the Times from 1973 to 1977.
Dr. Gelb was a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 1980 to 1981, where he was a consultant to the German Marshall Fund of the U.S. From 1977 to 1979, he was an assistant secretary of state in the Carter administration, serving as director of the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs, where he received the State Department's highest award: the Distinguished Honor Award. He was a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution from 1969 to 1973, during which time he was also a visiting professor at Georgetown University. He was director of Policy Planning and Arms Control for International Security Affairs at the Department of Defense from 1967 to 1969, where he also served as director of the Pentagon Papers Project. While at the Defense Department, Dr. Gelb won the Pentagon's highest award, the Distinguished Civilian Service Award.
He was executive assistant to U.S. Senator Jacob K. Javits from 1966 to 1967, and an assistant professor at Wesleyan University from 1964 to 1966.
Dr. Gelb currently serves on the Center for National Interest Board of Directors, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Board of Directors, the Diplomacy Center Foundation Board of Directors, the Peter G. Peterson Foundation Board of Advisors, and the Truman National Security Project Board of Advisors. He is a former trustee for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, trustee emeritus for Tufts University, and the former Chairman of the National Security Network Advisory Board. He formerly served on the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University Dean's Council, the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University Board of Advisors, the Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown University Board of Overseers, and the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Advisory Board. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and a fellow at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Gelb received his BA from Tufts University in 1959 and his MA in 1961 and PhD in 1964 from Harvard University. He is the author of Power Rules: How Common Sense Can Rescue American Foreign Policy (2009) and Anglo-American Relations, 1945–1950: Toward a Theory of Alliances (1988). He is also co-author of The Irony of Vietnam: The System Worked (1980), which won him the American Political Science Association's Woodrow Wilson Award; Our Own Worst Enemy: The Unmaking of American Foreign Policy (1984), and Claiming the Heavens: The New York Times Complete Guide to the Star Wars Debate (1988). He is the recipient of an Emmy Award and an Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award for his work as a producer of ABC Nightline's Crisis Game.
Dr. Gelb, who resides in New York City, is married to Judith Cohen and is the father of three children. He was the recipient of the Father of the Year Award in 1993.
Leslie H. Gelb comments on President Obama's State of the Union address.
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Leslie H. Gelb says that based on recent commentaries by military and Pentagon leaders, President Obama should expect to be committed to a long war in Afghanistan.
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Leslie H. Gelb says President Obama needs to "take on the fight to make the nation face up to its economic crisis" in order to move toward "determined and steady leadership."
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"If America is going to win the fight against radical Islam, moderate Muslims will have to lead the charge�and explain to the rest of us how we can help," writes Leslie Gelb.
Leslie Gelb writes that Barack Obama needs to change some of his habits if he wants to be more than a one-term wonder.
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With the holiday season as a backdrop, Leslie Gelb, pays tribute to the United States' armed forces.
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President Obama has had some success in fixing the foreign policy mess left to him by the Bush administration, writes Leslie Gelb, but he warns that foreign policy does not always work by analysis and logic.
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Leslie Gelb writes that the climate change conference in Copenhagen was a sign of what international diplomacy is going to look like over the next decade.
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Americans searching for a new Obama foreign policy, need to look back to the closing words of Obama�s West Point speech, writes Leslie Gelb, pointing to the president's emphasis on the United States' number one imperative: Economic Strength.
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President Obama's troop strategy for Afghanistan is a courageous rejection of the alternatives and Americans ought to support it, writes Leslie Gelb.
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Leslie Gelb looks into the details of President Obama's Afghanistan troop strategy, declaring that the President's expected plan to commit approximately 30,000 troops is "reasonable" and "deserves the support of the American people."
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Les Gelb finds "disturbing amateurishness" in President Obama's foreign policy, particularly in light of his recent trip to Asia.
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Leslie Gelb writes that the U.S. military's request to increase troops in Afghanistan by 44,000 ought to be closely scrutinized. He adds that, on this issue, "the military got a free ride from America�s pretend leaders and fake journalists."
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Les Gelb points to stalled U.S. efforts in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and others as evidence that "Barack Obama has arrived at a terrible moment of truth in foreign policy."
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Leslie Gelb spends a day with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton as she goes through her "grueling and inspirational" regular duties.
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Leslie H. Gelb warns President Obama against trying to "square the foreign policy and international security realities [in Afghanistan] with political imperatives [at home]."
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With debate raging on whether to increase troops in Afghanistan, Leslie H. Gelb writes that the United States can succeed there by empowering Afghans to take control of their own country.
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Peter Bergen and Leslie H. Gelb present two policy options for troop presence in Afghanistan.
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Leslie H. Gelb comments on the passing of New York Times columnist, Bill Safire, "the best friend and the worst enemy to friends and foes."
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Leslie H. Gelb lays out directions for a new strategy in Afghanistan, claiming that the Obama administration's current one is confusing to the American people, Congress and the U.S. military.
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This meeting is on the record.
This meeting is on the record.
This meeting is on the record.
This meeting is not for attribution.
This meeting is on the record.
This meeting is not for attribution.
This meeting is not for attribution.
This meeting is not for attribution.
This meeting is not for attribution.
The U.S. and Iran are engaged in a "mutual game" to forestall any attack by Israel on Iran's nuclear installations, but at some point that game will begin to wear down, raising the prospect of military action, Leslie Gelb, President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, tells WSJ's John Bussey an interview Tuesday.
Senator Webb urged his colleagues to heed the recent words of Leslie Gelb of the Council on Foreign Relations: "When interventionists become avenging angels, they blind themselves and the nation and run dangerously amok. They plunge in with no plans, with half-baked plans, with demands to supply arms to rebels they know nothing about, with ideas for no-fly zones and bombing. Their good intentions could pave the road to hell for Syrians. Preserving lives today, but sacrificing many more later."
The Atlantic recently asked a group of foreign-policy authorities about what lies ahead for Hamas.
New York, New York
CFR President Emeritus and Board Senior Fellow
|John Nelson
For more information on the David Rockefeller Studies Program, contact:
James M. Lindsay
Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair
Janine Hill
Director, Fellowship Affairs and Studies Strategic Planning
Amy R. Baker
Director, Studies Administration
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Science and Theology: Questioning the "Two-State Solution"
Theology needs science, but science needs theology; there can be no two-state solution.
The Resource Finder has powerful filtering features — check out the tutorial to learn more.
Theology needs science, but science needs theology; there can be no two-state solution.
In this video originally featured in March of 2012, Dr. David Finch, a biologist at New York University, discusses his thoughts on both Creationism and the effects of "new atheists" like Richard Dawkins.
Here are some of the best responses from around the web to David's Barash's controversial editorial about God and Evolution in the New York Times.
If discussions of science and religion sometimes get bogged down in Genesis, perhaps that is because they have not made the preparatory journey through the rich material of the Wisdom books.
New BioLogos content editor Brad Kramer reviews Chapter 1 of "Surprised by Scripture" by NT Wright, and sees Wright's work as a signpost for the future of the science/faith debate.
Do we see God because of design, or do we see design because of God?
We must press beyond the various creation narratives in the Hebrew Bible, including the final chapters of Job, to the picture of God revealed in the New Testament—the Creator who does not rationally explain away the scandal of suffering but who instead enters into it.
Sometimes, out of fear or some sense of being required to defend our position, Church leaders and teachers have hastily set up a boundary marker around some doctrinal theory which they have confused as a core doctrinal issue.
"It's tempting to think that the church needs to decide quickly which of these [original sin] scenarios is right, and which ones must be wrong. I believe the church is better served by taking its time, holding several different scenarios in tension for a while as we think through the implications of each."
This entry was originally posted on February 13, 2010. While the question of evolutionary predisposition toward religious belief may be challenging, Christians need not see it as threatening. In fact, this is actually a Pauline notion that is explored in Romans 1, where Paul claims that it is in mankind's nature to "know God".
Critics of Christianity look to evolution to show how the emergence of human life on earth demanded enormous ruin and ravage, billions of years of apparent waste and futility, species extermination and organism road kill. Not only was the massive dying off rampant, it's mandatory too.
I was raised in a household of atheists. My parents were card-carrying members of the American Communist Party, and therefore the atheism in my household was quite close to the militant anti-theism of the so-called "new atheists".
The gift of Love must be the gift of freedom, the gift of a degree of letting-be, and this can be expected to be true of all creatures to the extent that is appropriate to their proper character. It is in the nature of dense snow fields that they will sometimes slip with the destructive force of an avalanche. It is the nature of lions that they will seek their prey. It is the nature of cells that they will mutate, sometimes producing new forms of life, sometimes grievous disabilities, sometimes cancers.
These excerpts from Origins: Christian Perspectives on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design, written by BioLogos president Deborah Haarsma and her husband Loren Haarsma, offer a sampling of the book's many topics, from exploring our disagreements and agreements on origins as Christians to explaining scientific processes to looking at how we read Genesis.
In this video conversation, N.T. Wright discusses how the Enlightenment worldview -- which clearly separates God from the world -- has impacted our view of Scripture, and why cleaning the "spectacles" through which we view the world can help us see both Scripture and the world more clearly.
Genes and physiology are seen as something different from "us" and "our mind," and they seem to be controlling us, so we can't even change our mind. Humans are presented as pawns of their biology, puppets dancing to the tune of their genetic masters.
Once we have a scientific hypothesis for how something exists, it is tempting to make the philosophical inference that this is also why it exists.
Were one to propose creation by means of theistic evolution, some of the presuppositions for these responses to the problem of evil no longer function. Therefore, advocating some form of theistic evolution poses problems for standard explanations of the problem of evil.
Do you believe in God? If a cadre of outspoken, strong atheists wrote a litmus test for scientists, that might very well be question #1.
The tension generated by our understanding of God's character, as revealed in the Bible, and by the reality of the natural world around us has been the focus of much debate within the Christian church since the first century. This series examines critically several of the proposed solutions to this problem, viewing them from the perspective of a geologist, paleontologist, and orthodox evangelical Christian.