There are many reasons why maintaining your property is important and being proactive about it makes it simple.

​Property maintenance is important because it can negatively or positively affect your wallet. For example, if your plumbing and electric are all in good working condition, you can benefit from lower utility bills. 
 
In addition, when your property is well maintained, it is more sought after by renters, tenants, and potential buyers. This gives you more leverage to ask for a higher sale price or higher rent. 
 
Pro tip: If you have a rental property, properly maintaining it can attract better tenants and fill the vacancy quicker. 
 
Property maintenance and repairs may also be considered part of your business operating expenses and therefore tax-deductible. 

​A simple way to avoid hefty financial or laborious maintenance and repair charges down the road is to be proactive and fix the little things or issues before they become bigger ones. Not only will your wallet appreciate this in the short term, but it will also benefit you in the long run, as your property value increases because of it. 

​Maintaining your property can be easily managed through routine, preventative, corrective, and cosmetic upkeep. A few commonly neglected areas include your roof, hot water heaters, balconies, and lighting fixtures. 
 
As public insurance adjusters, we have seen it all and understand the value and importance of property maintenance. If you take care of your property regularly, there will be less chance of needing to file an insurance claim down the road. You can catch the minor issues before they turn into major leaks, fires, or mold infestations.
 
However, if you do ever find yourself in a situation where you need to file a home insurance claim, we are here to help. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we treat every client’s property claim as if it is our own. 
 
While other companies may offer similar services, we are dedicated to providing the professionalism, experience, knowledge, and resources to get you the highest possible settlement of your claim. 

If you need a trusted adjuster for your insurance claim or to determine if your damages are covered by your policy, contact us today.

​As Florida homeowner policyholders face continuous increases in our property insurance, Florida lawmakers are putting forth legislation that could cost you more and affect your wallet.
 
Floridians throughout the state should be yelling from their rooftops at a new bill that was filed last week making your replacement cost insurance policy an actual cash value policy.
 
What Does This Mean to You?
It ultimately means more out-of-pocket costs to you if your roof is more than 10 years old. As if it’s not difficult enough that many families are struggling just to put food on their tables and wondering how they will pay their bills, if this legislation goes through, you could also be forced to replace your roof just to keep your home insured.
 
A Florida homeowner facing this very issue, Wilma Bryant said, “I can’t afford to replace my roof”. Although she has no issues with her roof, her insurance company is requiring her to replace it and giving her only until March 7th to do so. See full story.
 
Proposed Legislation
Senate Bill 76, specifically pages 3-4 if your roof is more than 10 years old, is very harmful to consumers. I understand that there needs to be a fix to the troublesome insurance market in Florida, but that fix shouldn’t be on the shoulders of policyholders.  
 
Why Are Mortgage Companies Allowing This?
I keep scratching my head and asking myself how mortgage companies aren’t up in arms about this when they require you to have replacement cost insurance coverage for your roof. Quite frankly, I am surprised especially with the amount of storms Florida faces every year.
 
During a catastrophic event such as a hurricane, with already high deductibles, and then the depreciation of your roof if it is over 10 years old, you may not be able to afford the out-of-pocket costs to replace your roof.
 
In addition to my advocacy of policyholders, I recently became the second female President in the 28 year history of the Florida Association of Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA). FAPIA works tirelessly to protect the industry and the consumers of Florida and advocates against anti-consumer language.  
 
At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we always try to keep you up to date on what is happening in the insurance industry. We are always here to help and guide you and will continue to put the protection of insured policyholders first. 
 
If you need a trusted adjuster for your insurance claim or to determine if your damages are covered by your homeowners insurance policy, contact us today.

Reliant Insurance Adjusters LLC, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, is proud to announce that Co-0wner, Karen Schiffmiller, became President of the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA) in December 2020.
 
Insurance adjusting has traditionally been a male dominated industry but there has been a trend over the last several years of women entering and thriving in the insurance adjusting industry.   As a licensed public insurance adjuster, Schiffmiller is the second woman in the 28 year history of the association to serve as President.  A member since 2007, she joined the Board of Directors in 2014.  Her goal was to make a positive difference in the industry while expanding on her love of helping others.  She became Chair of the FAPIA Community Affairs Committee which focuses on fundraising and making charitable contributions. The Public Adjusters Pay it Forward program has been giving back to worthwhile organizations in communities throughout Florida.

Karen is the principal of her own public adjusting firm, SAS Adjusting Group since 2006.  Karen became business partners with Scott Scovin in 2014 and formed Reliant Insurance Adjusters LLC and they have forged a great team representing policyholders throughout the state of Florida. Karen is also a Certified Property Insurance Appraiser and Umpire. Her winning strategy is to put her heart and soul into the important work she does. She is an insurance professional that will leave no stone unturned when representing her clients with their commercial and residential property damage insurance claims.  Her focus on always doing the right thing is exactly what the membership expects her to bring to her new role as FAPIA President.

FAPIA’s leadership, under Karen Schiffmiller’s direction, works tirelessly to protect the industry and the consumers of Florida. From monitoring and testifying about insurance legislation to building awareness through the media about issues of interest, FAPIA is an important resource of consultation regarding industry issues.  FAPIA offers many business resources to better promote the welfare of its members and also provides outstanding Continuing Education.

“Insurance policyholders often need qualified, licensed and professional insurance claim assistance when they experience property damage to their home or business.  Public insurance adjusters are licensed and regulated professionals that help policyholders obtain full and fair settlements from their insurers”, said Schiffmiller.

Karen has represented thousands of policyholders and helped them recover financially after catastrophic claims such as Hurricanes Wilma, Matthew, Irma and Michael. In addition, she has also represented policyholders with  water, mold, fire, smoke and sinkhole damage claims throughout Florida.  The most common compliment received by policyholders Karen represents is on her organizational skills, attention to detail and how she perseveres on their behalf with their insurance claims. 

“FAPIA members elected her to represent the industry because she is an excellent example of the kind of professional that policyholders should expect and deserve in their time of need”, said Managing Director, Nancy Dominguez.