Risk Management & Insurance Renew Systems Waste and Trauma Scene Management

The Truth About Hoarding  What is hoarding?  Collections of Collections  Trouble getting rid of items  Mental Illness  Organization difficulty

Origins of Hoarding  Dante’s Divine Comedy (1308 AD)  Charles Dickens’ Bleak House (1862)  1842 the novel, Dead Souls- Plyushkin displays all the characteristics of hoarding  Erich Fromm (20 th Century) suggested that acquisition was one way for people to relate to the world around them and was core to one’s character  Recognized in 1920 as a disorder

Famous Hoarders  Ida Mayfield Wood  Hoarded $1 Million in cash – Hidden in pots & pans.  Inside a Cracker Jack box was a diamond necklace  $10,000 in cash sealed around her waist  Alexander Kennedy Miller  $1 Million of Gold Bullion  $60,000 in Silver Bullion  $1 Million in promissory notes, stocks and shares.  The Collyers  After they passed away, authorities removed over 140 TONS of debris from their home.

Risks of Hoarding

Costs of Hoarding  In a month, an average of 1500 evictions in San Francisco due to hoarding.  SF task force says hoarding ≈ $6 million per year.  Average clean up costs: $8K-16K  12,000-15,000 residents in San Francisco struggle with this condition

Why is it an Insurance Risk?  Fire hazards  Higher chance of injury  Liability  Blocked exits  Poor home Maintenance:  Collapsing Attics  Bursting Pipes  Structural Damage

Possible Solutions?  Exposure Evaluation  Professionals analyze in person to reduce risk  Program Development  reviewing alternatives, we carefully weigh costs and benefits, presenting you with clear, detailed recommendations  Communication  It's important to fully understand your coverage, what is and isn’t covered by the insured’s policy

Insurance Now  The insurer decides whether and how to act.  Coverage may be cancelled depending on the severity  If the debris was there when the policy was written, the law may require the insurer to send a warning.  The hope: proper documentation exists to prove hoarding occurred after the issuance of coverage.

Points of Development Current Status  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM- 5) aims to change:  Misdiagnosis  Real impact in terms of the diagnosis & treatment.  OCD vs. Hoarding  Reclassification  Results in better treatment plans, aimed at asking the right questions

Bottom Line for Insurance  Everyone's insurance differs, so coverage differs.  Reclassification could mean better reimbursement.  Avoid bad claims

Prevention/Education  Referrals to Mental Health Professionals  Marin Hoarding Alliance  Institute on Compulsive Hoarding and Clutter  NAPO: Professional organizers  Children of Hoarders  Open and Honest Communication  Respect  Have Sympathy  Encourage  Teamwork  Reflect  ASK

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