Thanks so much for all your replies. I really appreciate it. After reading about the insurance, I'm going to call them tomorrow to ask -- it can't hurt.

We still can't figure out how the dial was turned to off. It's just my husband and me (the kids are grown) and no one goes downstairs to the basement much. Neighbor kids don't go down there -- I bring it upstairs to them and keep some in our freezer upstairs in the fridge. Half of one shelf had fallen, so I'm thinking when the shelf fell and tilted, something hit the dial. It's just so weird it went to the OFF position.

Oh, and my basement still smells like something died down there. It's much better than last night though.

And the freezer is running just fine!! Told DH that I'm going downstairs and checking it every day now. I've certainly learned my lesson.

I'm sorry so many of you on the boards here have lost food due to a freezer malfunction. It's awful....