[kelmarfar76]

re: renter's insurance- if you have car insurance, your insurance company will often offer you a multiple policy discount on the renter's insurance. When I used to rent, I carried both types of policy and I'm fairly certain I paid under $100 a year and I had $15,000 or $20,000 in coverage. I don't remember the percentage of the discount, but I know it was pretty significant.

My parents had a similar situation once- the city was having work done on the storm drain/sewer system and a huge storm came blowing through. Since the drainage system was compromised, anyone that was within 4 or 5 houses on either side of the huge drainage pipe had 3 feet of water in their basement, and the pipe ran through 5 or 6 streets. There was no power for 2 or 3 days while they got the system back together and the basements pumped out, and the insurance company for the contractors that were doing the work had to pay out a ton of money in claims. My parents alone had a $10,000 claim because they had to have a new furnace, new hot water heater, etc, plus professional cleaning of the basement, lost food (fridge and an upright freezer), lawnmower, anything in storage, etc. They must have paid out a fortune in claims- there were over 100 homes affected.

Don't let the power company off the hook. They are insured for things like this and the fact that they were so slow getting to you to fix the problem probably caused your loss. They should own up to it and reimburse you (or at least give you some $$ off your utility bill!)