 The holidays are a festive time of the year filled with so many traditions to celebrate, but they can also present many opportunities for accidents to happen. With all the hustle and bustle of gift-giving, meal planning, and travel scheduling, safety often gets overlooked.
Keeping your property safe throughout the holiday season can be more challenging than you imagine because there are several risk factors that many people often don’t even think twice about. 3 Holiday Safety Tips for Your Property To help you ring in the new year with plenty of cheer, we have created a short list of our top holiday safety tips to help keep your family, property, and belongings safe throughout the holidays. #1: Be prepared for hot stovetops and grease. Plenty of turkeys, hams, stuffing, and casseroles will get cooked this holiday season. If you aren’t cooking with caution and care, it could lead to a fire, especially when butter, oil, and grease are involved. Avoid leaving food unattended when its cooking on the stove or in a fryer to help reduce the chances of igniting or spreading fires. #2: Don’t leave lit candles unattended. The twinkling light of candles on cool winter nights can make your home feel extra cozy and inviting. However, candles can be a fire hazard waiting to happen. Be sure any combustible or flammable items (wrapping paper, Christmas trees, blankets, etc.) are not close to lit candle(s). Consider placing your candles in a holder on sturdy and clear surfaces with at least a foot of space around the open flame. Also, try to blow them out before they burn all the way down so their glass holder doesn’t explode. And, most importantly, never leave a lit candle unattended. You may even want to replace decorative candles with faux options. #3: Check that the seals around your home are intact. While it may not snow in Florida, it can get quite chilly and we are exposed to a lot of heavy rains. Check that the seals around your home are intact. Sealing any cracks in your windows, walls, and doors makes it harder for water to seep into your home and cause problems in the event of a strong thunderstorm. You can also help prevent water damage due to burst hot water heaters or clogged air conditioning lines by checking them for leaks on a regular basis and having them serviced several times a year. Enjoy a Safe and Damage-Free Holiday Season There is so much to celebrate and be thankful for throughout the holiday season, and we hope you enjoy yours safely. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we understand that accidents can still happen even if you are prepared. We are here to help you with any property claims you may need to file or answer any questions you may have to help keep your property safe throughout the year. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
0 Comments
 Being a property owner of a residential or commercial property should make you feel proud. Whether you have spent thousands or millions of dollars building your dream home or building, seeing it destroyed due to water damage is heartbreaking. Water never stays stationary and if not noticed quickly, can travel into other areas of your property causing significant damage. It can also cause mold and if left undetected, can also cause dry rot. When you discover damage to your property, call a public adjuster in Broward County right away.
Property damage can be extremely frustrating to deal with, including the paperwork needed to and required to submit to your insurance company. To get everything you are entitled to get compensated for your damage, we have compiled some tips that are guaranteed to help ease your stress. Helpful Insurance Settlement Negotiation Tips #1 The Insurance Company Is Not Your Friend One common mistake some property owners make is treating their insurance company as if they were their friend. While insurance companies are there to help you in times of need, they are in the business of making money and their ultimate goal is to save as much money as they can. This can lead to an underpaid or denied insurance claim. #2 Promptly Report Your Claim The moment you discover damage, it is important to read your insurance policy to see if the cause of your damage is covered. Sometimes you may have a high deductible so reviewing your deductible and assessing the damage is important to understanding if you should file a claim. If the damage is covered and exceeds your deductible, then you should file your claim. Reading insurance policies can be daunting and confusing. Speaking with an experienced and knowledgeable Public Adjuster can help you understand your coverages and exclusions. A Public Adjuster represents you, not the insurance company and will fully document your claim, prepare and submit the required documentation on your behalf and work diligently to get you properly compensated for your damage. #3 Accurately Reporting Your Damage When you file an insurance claim, it is important to understand what caused the damage and what is damaged. If your claim is reported incorrectly or the wrong terminology is used, the insurance company can deny your claim. Regardless of what happened, if you are unsure if the damages are covered or what is causing the damage, ask your public adjuster to inspect your damage and review your policy. #4 Avoid Speculations When you experience damage to your property it is only normal to feel stressed. However, stress can sometimes lead to speculation rather than facts. Don’t speculate and stick to the facts of your claim. Sometimes insurance companies can misunderstand what you mean and that can also result in a denial of your claim. #5 Estimating Your Claim Before you settle your insurance claim it is important to get an idea of what your damages are and how much it will cost to repair. Never assume that what the insurance company is offering to settle your claim is enough to make your repairs. Hiring a public adjuster can prevent the insurance company from undervaluing and underpaying your damages. Do You Need a Public Adjuster in Broward County? If you recently experienced property damage and don’t know what to do, hire a Public Adjuster. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we offer affordable and honest service and never stop working on your claim until you are satisfied with the settlement of claim. Our adjusters have the knowledge and experience to assist you throughout the entire process. Give us a call to learn more.  Insurance providers are for-profit organizations, which means they often look after their bottom line. That doesn’t mean they are out to get you, it just means that they may not do as thorough of a job as you would anticipate, especially when you file an insurance claim.
It may even surprise you when your agent suggests that you shouldn’t file a claim. In some instances, this can be in your best interest if the property damage is less than your policy’s deductible. In a case like that, if you were to file a claim, it could negatively impact your premium and future insurance eligibility. But that is not always the case. Why Should You Consult An Insurance Adjuster Last year, I received a call from an individual whose insurance agent told her not to file a claim because her damage was less than her deductible. While that would make sense, the numbers weren’t adding up. After a few questions, I came to learn that her insurance agent did not visit her property to see the damage, rather, it had only been relayed over the phone. Though it is not common practice for your agent to visit the property, the agent should not have told her to not file a claim because it is practically impossible to get a true assessment of the damages without seeing everything in person. As a professional insurance adjuster, I asked a series of questions and remained unassuming throughout our entire conversation to determine what had happened to this individual’s property and better understand her loss and the property’s damages. Her deductible was set at $2,500, and during my inspection of her property it was clear that her claim was not less than her deductible. Hiring A Licensed Insurance Professional A licensed insurance professional, such as a public adjuster, can provide you with a more accurate understanding of your property damage, which can help you in determining if you should file a claim or not. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we always ask questions, get as many details as possible, conduct an inspection of the property, and review your insurance policy in depth. There are some instances when there is minimal damage to one’s property and the repairs can fall below your deductible. In some cases like these, a claim should not be filed, and we will make sure you understand your next steps. But in most cases, we will help you get your claim filed and guide you through the entire process. We are always here to help protect policyholders and answer your questions. We also provide free insurance policy and claim reviews! Contact us today to learn more.  You certainly hope that you never experience a fire in your lifetime and the odds may not be in your favor. According to the NFPA Fire Analysis and Research Division, American households experience at least one home fire every 15 years. Although most of these incidents are considered minor and are usually not reported. One in every five fires may require a call to a local fire department. If your home experienced a fire, you should get in touch with a public adjuster in Port St. Lucie.
Protecting Your Home from Fires 101 Cook with Caution Never leave the room or become easily distracted while you’re frying, broiling or grilling food. Although cooking takes time, being patient and attentive to what you’re doing is important and could help avoid an unfortunate situation. This recently happened to our client while she was cooking dinner. She was distracted and left the room while she was cooking and before she knew it, her cabinets caught fire. It is best to avoid circumstances like this, or there is a high probability that your kitchen can catch fire. It is also important to stay close to your kitchen whenever you’re boiling, roasting or baking, and if you ever have to leave the house unexpectedly, always remember to turn off the oven or stove. Keep Lighters and Matches In Safe Places Never leave matches and lighters in drawers, or worse, on the table where your children can easily access them. Instead, hide them and place them in cabinets that your children cannot reach and make sure everyone is informed about this household rule. Check All Electric Cords Regularly check on all the electric cords in your house, especially those attached to your cooking appliances. Also, don’t forget to check the extension wires in the garage. When a cable looks damaged or cracked or and you see a broken plug, replace it as soon as possible. Don’t Light Candles If possible, invest in emergency lights. Don’t use candles when the electricity is out because there is a tendency that you may forget about them. If you ever need to use a candle, place it at least one foot away from anything that is flammable like your furniture or window treatments. Avoid Crowding Space Heaters Space heaters are designed to have plenty of space around them regardless if they are portable or fixed. Place your space heater at least three feet away from anything flammable including electronic equipment. Additionally, it is best to turn off your space heater when you go to sleep. Make Sure You Have Insurance It is important to protect your property and make sure you have a fire insurance policy. Fire insurance is a type of property insurance that offers coverage for damage or loss to your property caused by fire. In the event you do have to file an insurance claim due to fire or smoke damage, the insurance company will either pay you on a replacement cost basis or actual cash value of the damages. If you experience fire or smoke damage to your property and you have fire insurance, it is important to hire a public adjuster. A public adjuster will fully document your loss and prepare the required documentation to submit to your insurance company. This will help obtain the claim settlement you are entitled to for the damages sustained. Are You Looking for a Public Adjuster in Port St. Lucie? If you need assistance to file a claim for property damage caused by fire, you can count on us! At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we have your best interest at heart. We treat your property damage as if it were our own. Although other companies may offer the same services we do, we strive to give you nothing but the best service by providing you with our knowledge, experience and resources to get the highest possible settlement for your claim. Give us a call to learn more about what we do.  Do you have property damage and need to file an insurance claim? Have you ever thought about hiring an insurance adjuster in West Palm Beach to help you? When disaster strikes your home, your initial reaction is to call your insurance company and notify them about the damage to your property. However, filing an insurance claim can be a tedious, complex and a very cumbersome task that most people don’t want to deal with when you are already experiencing the stress from your property damage. To ease your burden, the smartest thing to do is to seek help from an experienced and knowledgeable insurance adjuster. What Are the Advantages of Hiring an Insurance Adjuster? Better Understanding of Your Insurance Policy When you received your insurance policy did you review it? Do you know and understand your coverages and exclusions? Often times, policies are written with confusing verbiage and your insurance company places coverage in one part of the policy, then excludes it from another part of the policy. It can be challenging to understand your coverage. A public adjuster should explain your insurance policy and what coverage you have so it is easier for you to understand, and they should also explain all your options for your insurance claim. Saves You Time Filing an insurance claim can be time consuming because your insurance company requires certain documentation. If you are not familiar with what they are requesting or how to fill out that documentation, you will not be in compliance with the policy terms. If you hire a public adjuster, they will help you prepare the required documentation and properly document the damage. This way you remain compliant with your policy conditions and you don’t have to go through a time-consuming process on your own. Whether it’s an insurance claim for hurricane, wind, smoke, fire, water damage or flood damage, they will know what to do. With a public adjuster by your side to help you, they can take this burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your other priorities. Settle Your Claim Faster Filing an insurance claim is not always a walk in the park. More often than not, you will encounter hurdles along the way and you’ll need to meet time sensitive deadlines. If those deadlines are not met, your claim settlement may be delayed. Public adjusters have the knowledge and expertise to complete your paperwork in a timely manner and will communicate with your insurance company to settle your claim expeditiously. Protect Your Rights What makes public insurance adjusters different from insurance company adjusters? Simply put, a public adjuster works for you not the insurance company. They should always put your interests first and work to protect your rights as a policyholder. Are You Looking for an Insurance Adjuster in West Palm Beach? We know you’re under a lot of stress and we want to help relieve that stress with our expert and experienced public insurance adjusters. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we have your best interest at heart. We treat every property damage as if it were our own. Although many companies offer the same services as we do, we are committed to giving you nothing but the best service by offering our knowledge, resources, and experience so that you can get the highest possible settlement for your claim. Give us a call to know more about what we do.  If your property gets damaged, preserving the evidence is critical to getting awarded everything you're entitled to from your insurance company. However, that is often easier said than done.
Once you determine that you have property damage, the first thing you should do is document it and then review your insurance policy to see if the damage is covered. If so, you should file a claim. Preserving evidence of property damage will help strengthen your claim. Without preserving the evidence of your property damage, your insurance company may be less likely to pay the damages. The challenge is determining how to best gather and preserve the evidence to support your claim. How to Preserve Evidence of Your Property Damage Although you can document damages with photos, videos and notes, it is sometimes important to actually preserve the damage for a period of time. Though it may be inconvenient, one of the best ways to preserve evidence of property damage is to leave it alone. As tempting as it may be to replace or repair your property damages as soon as possible, you should strongly consider holding off until your insurance company has inspected the damage and in some cases, until your claim has been settled. Documentation and photos can be distorted over time or even manipulated by software, which can make preserving your documentation more challenging. Systems, software, and electronics are far from perfect and can malfunction, become damaged or even tampered with, which means that any documentation electronically stored can disappear. Aside from keeping hard copies of any documented evidence, you may want to consider storing the evidence of your property damages in multiple places, such as external hard drives or jump drives to best help you maintain accuracy of any electronically stored information related to your claim which may include: ● Word documents ● Spreadsheets ● Image files ● Voice messages ● Online repositories ● Cell phone photos Without evidentiary support of your property damage, it can be challenging to ensure you are properly compensated by your insurance provider. Helping You Document & Preserve Evidence of Your Property Damage If you are unsure of how best to document and preserve evidence of your property damage, you should consult with a public adjuster who is experienced in dealing with property damage. We have the latest technology to document and preserve your evidence. With our state of the art Matterport 3D Camera, we provide a 3D tour of your property and can point directly to the damage. We take great pride in our professionalism and attention to detail and there are times when we see damage that you may not. Although we treat every client’s property claim as if it were our own, we are dedicated to providing you with the knowledge, experience, and resources necessary to get you the highest possible settlement of your claim. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.  Part of being a property owner is paying insurance premiums. Investing in insurance is a smart move because you’re managing your risk. However, dealing with insurance claims can be stressful, which is why we recommend you hire a public adjuster in Port St. Lucie.
Some of the responsibilities of a public insurance adjuster is to protect your interest in your claim, properly document your damages, help prepare and submit the required documentation for your insurance claim and communicate directly with the insurance company on your behalf. Why Was My Insurance Claim Denied and What Can I Do About It? How Does Insurance Work? When you pay your insurance premiums, you do so with the hope that if you sustain damage to your property as a result of a hurricane, broken pipe, fire or flood, that the insurance company will cover your repairs and pay your claim. However, you will only receive payment for your insurance claim if coverage is accepted. Unfortunately, not all claims are approved and sometimes they are denied. In such a case, you will need the help of a public insurance adjuster. Why Was My Insurance Denied? Nothing is more painful than paying years of insurance premiums only to receive a claim denial at a time when you need financial assistance the most. When you purchase your insurance policy, it is a binding insurance contract between you and your insurance company. So, it is only normal to feel that contract is a guarantee of financial help when you have sustained damage to your property. However, filing an insurance claim does not always mean you will receive an insurance payout. There are numerous instances where the insurance company may refuse to pay your claim and deny coverage. Property insurance claims that are commonly denied:
To increase your chances of getting your claim covered, you may want to consider hiring an independent adjuster. Independent adjusters will help guide you so that you can receive a proper claim settlement. Are You Looking for a Reliable Public Adjuster in Port St. Lucie? If you’re looking for an independent adjuster you can trust, we’ve got you covered. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we have your best interest at heart. We understand the stress that comes with filing for claims and our team has the experience and knowledge to guide you every step of the way so you receive the highest possible settlement. We’ve been in the industry for years and we’ve successfully helped countless clients receive the financial help the need from their insurance companies. Give us a call to know more about what we do.  Filing an insurance claim with your insurance company can often feel like an uphill battle, and it can be exacerbated when they use estimating software that results in a far from accurate estimate.
Your insurer is not necessarily intentionally trying to avoid paying for damage repairs, but the insurance estimating software they use often does not provide the most accurate estimate of your damage. The trouble with most insurance company estimates falling short of the correct repairs needed, is partially due to improper training on how to use the estimating software. This certainly leads to undervaluing claims, however, there are times when the insurance company’s adjuster thinks the quality of material is less than what you actually have or misses damage to your property. Your Insurer’s Responsibility to You Whenever you file a claim, it is your insurer’s responsibility to prepare an estimate that reflects the cost of repairs needed. How To Get An Accurate Estimate Once you have received their estimate, which many times is undervalued, it is surely in your best interest to hire a public adjuster who can review the estimate for detail and accuracy. Having a professional opinion is strongly recommended and can help you get everything that you are entitled to for your insurance claim. Another challenge with insurers properly estimating your claim is that sometimes the software is better suited, or designed, for tract home repair estimates. However, not everyone lives in a tract home, so if your property is historic, custom built, or located in a high value area, hiring a public adjuster is even more important to getting the proper payout for your claim. Find the Right Public Adjuster to Help You Although the estimates generated by your insurers estimating software may be well organized and lengthy, there tends to be many needed repair items missing from the estimate. Getting an independent estimate from the right public adjuster is often your best chance at receiving the proper compensation for the repairs needed to your property. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we treat every client’s property claim as if it is our own and provide the utmost attention to detail. Contact us today to learn how we can best help you with your claim.  The insurance industry is in the business of risk mitigation, and when disaster strikes, some may see it as an opportunity to exaggerate or falsely file a claim with their insurer.
In some rare cases, individuals may even intentionally damage their property to receive a higher payout which is often referred to as opportunistic fraud. Aside from being illegal, fraudulent insurance claims can indirectly lead to policy and premium rate increases, costing insurance providers billions over the course of a year. Keep in mind that insurance providers are still a for-profit industry, which, unfortunately, means that they wind up passing the cost of fraud onto their policyholders. In fact, the FBI says an average American family will pay about $400 - $700 extra on their premium due to insurance fraud. Here are a few common ways that insurance fraud can happen:
“The FBI estimates that the total cost of insurance fraud (excluding health insurance) is more than $40 billion per year and insurance fraud costs the average U.S. family between $400 and $700 per year. In the late 1980s, the Insurance Information Institute interviewed[1] claims adjusters and concluded that fraud accounted for about 10 percent of the property/casualty (PC) insurance industry’s incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses each year. Using that measure, in 2019 and 2020 PC fraud would amount to $38 billion each year. The figure can fluctuate based on line of business, economic conditions and other factors.” - iii.org Avoid Fraud with a Public Insurance Adjuster If you have to file an insurance claim, it is important and beneficial to provide an accurate breakdown of your property damage to help minimize fraud and receive the proper payment under your insurance policy. Always remember that a professional, experienced and knowledgeable Public Insurance Adjuster will inspect your damage, review your insurance policy and discuss what is and is not covered under your policy. Our team at Reliant Insurance Adjusters is dedicated to providing you with the professionalism, experience, knowledge and resources to help get you the best possible outcome for your insurance claim. Contact us today to get started.  If you own a home or commercial property, you will be required to have an insurance policy. But should you shop for an insurance policy based on the policy’s price … or the insurance coverage itself?
Oftentimes, insurance policies are an added expense, and individuals will try to cut corners by focusing on price rather than coverage. This is not necessarily the best way to shop for insurance because having quality coverage when you need it most is the primary reason to purchase an insurance policy. When an accident occurs, the aftermath (repairs, personal injury coverage, etc.) usually exceeds the average deductible cost, while other times, the damages can cost less and may not even be worth filing a claim. If you pay a low premium for your policy, you will likely have inadequate coverage, and you can wind up paying exponentially more when an unexpected accident or disaster occurs. However, it is possible to shop for insurance based on the policy coverage while remaining within your budget. Shopping For Insurance Coverage As you shop around for an insurance policy, you may be eligible for more comprehensive coverage than you anticipated. When shopping for insurance coverage, rather than price, you should consider how much and the type of coverage you will actually need for full financial protection of your property. This can be done by assessing potential worst-case scenarios and the value of your property and belongings. For instance, if a fire occurred and caused damage to your property, what would the cost be to rebuild your property? The same holds true for water damage which can also result in large amounts to rebuild. What if cabinetry, closets, flooring and walls are damaged? This is very important to think about so you can secure the proper insurance coverage. In order to respect your budget while focusing on coverage, consider your premium and deductible costs. A lower premium may look great at first, but it is often paired with a higher deductible, which could mean sticker shock, when it gets deducted from your insurance claim payment in the event of an insured loss. You are still responsible to make up that difference in your repair process. Review Your Policy & Shop For Insurance Coverage The insurance policy you choose should be based on the type of coverage you will need when you need it most. Take a moment to review your policy, either on your own or with a qualified professional. Our team at Reliant Insurance Adjusters offers a free review of your insurance policy. We can help you make sure that you do not have lower than expected policy limits, or exclusions, and determine if you may need to increase your coverage or shop for a new policy. If possible, try to shop based on the insurance coverage rather than settling for the lowest premium possible. There are several insurance discounts and policy options available to meet a variety of budgets and coverage needs. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we have seen numerous scenarios where people have selected insurance coverage based on a low premium, and when it comes time to file a claim, they have to face the reality of low policy limits, high deductibles, or no coverage at all. If you have filed a claim and need an experienced insurance adjuster on your side, we can help. Contact us today for more information or an extensive policy review. |
AuthorKaren Schiffmiller Archives
November 2021
Categories |
RSS Feed
