 While having dinner right before the stay at home order was put in place, I overhead a woman nearby say that a roofing company knocked on her door and said she had wind damage to her roof and they would get her a new roof! I did not want to seem as though I was eavesdropping, but I certainly was!
She went on to say that her roof was 25 years old. Yes, you read correctly, 25 years old! When she purchased her home about 6 years ago, she said there were soft spots on her roof so she knew she would have to replace her roof at some point but why not let her insurance company pay for it! Listening to this, I knew she did not have any damage from Hurricane Irma a few years ago, yet she still let the roofer misrepresent her claim for a new roof. I see two problems here … UPPA and Insurance Fraud. UPPA is the Unlicensed Practice of Public Adjusting (UPPA) which is a 3rd degree felony in Florida. You must be a licensed and bonded public adjuster to represent policyholders in Florida with an insurance claim. Presenting a false claim to your insurance company is insurance fraud and these both seem to go hand in hand these days. I was shaking my head and could not believe she was discussing this as if there was no wrongdoing on her part. What is more frustrating is that insurance companies complain about the increase in claims and the associated costs to pay these claims, yet they continue to engage and deal with these unlicensed individuals only further proliferating the problem. Do you really think insurance companies are absorbing these costs if they pay these fraudulent claims? Definitely not! Each and every one of us gets a premium increase every year even though we may have never filed an insurance claim. If you are unsure that damage to your property is covered under your insurance policy, it is always best to seek advice from a licensed professional, rather than a door knocker. These individuals only have their interests in mind, not yours. If you have damage to your property and are unsure if you are covered or you received an inadequate claim settlement from your insurance company, Reliant Insurance Adjusters will provide a free damage assessment and policy review. Call us 561-288-6434 or visit us here. Thought for the day … Honesty, integrity and always doing the right thing goes a long way.
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 As Florida continues to reopen, there are many of us concerned whether people will still take precautions and continue to wear masks. The first day Palm Beach County reopened, I was shocked to see patrons entering the grocery store without masks, walking about as though nothing had happened. I stood for a moment and felt like I was in the twilight zone. I wondered why it seemed as if I were the only one concerned about the severity of the virus and how contagious it is. I mean, one of us could be a carrier with no symptoms but still pass the virus onto someone more vulnerable.
On the second day of reopening, friends of mine had visited a Delray restaurant that they regularly dined in before the virus. They were seated and realized that not one single staff member was wearing a mask or gloves. They decided to leave the restaurant and I honestly don’t blame them. The following morning, I read an article that the restaurants in Delray were not adhering to the social distancing requirements as diners were seated next to each other while nobody, including staff members, wore a mask. After all, we do live in America and have many freedoms that other countries do not. We have the right to choose if we want to wear a mask or not, but under the right circumstances. Albeit, the news media has a history of hype and their continuous reporting tends to scare people, but we have a duty to each other to be smart and logical about this. I had three friends who contracted the virus, and I for one, never want to get this virus. While they suffered with horrific symptoms for over a month, they wondered every day if they would ever feel better and get back to their life, which thankfully they have. From day one, Reliant Insurance Adjusters has practiced social distancing and keeping others safe. We will continue to do our part and wear masks and gloves when meeting with clients and insurance company adjusters. If we are requested to do so, we will also wear booties when entering a home or business. Thought for the day … Treat others as you want to be treated and respect others as you want to be respected.  I am not so sure everyone is as prepared as they should be for hurricane season. I hear many individuals say “we won’t get a hurricane this year” and then all the news media stations start airing coverage of the next storm coming our way and the cone encompasses the state of Florida. Before you know it, everyone begins to panic and runs to get supplies at the last minute with gas lines blocks long and grocery store shelves left bare. Although Hurricane season starts June 1st and lasts through November 30th the season can sometimes start early. With 4 major storms predicted this season, don’t wait until the last minute to be prepared. Download our suggested supply checklist below so you can prepare now. We also recommend documenting your home and business with photos, video of the interior and exterior of your home and drone coverage of your roof, all in their pre-loss condition before you have an insurance claim and will help protect the value and condition of your property. Please see our Pre and Post Loss Check List and contact us today for your pre-loss assessment and report as Reliant Insurance Adjusters provides all these services. To help out during these difficult times, we are currently offering a discount on our services. We are taking extra precautions to protect you and wear masks and gloves. Just mention Covid-19 when you call 561-288-6434 or email us with any questions to info@reliantpa.com. We are always here to help. 
 While the rains have not come so heavily yet, we need to protect our property as best we can. During the drier weeks when the sun beats for longer hours during the day, it is important to remove any dry leaves and branches from your property. If we are not restricted with limited water use during these dryer months, I make it a habit to water my lawn and garden daily for 15 minutes at dusk.
Barbeques and eating delicious meals outdoors in our backyards is a summer favorite. It is usually safe to grill outdoors, but you should make sure your grill is not to close too your home nor directly under the eve of your roof. This will avoid a fire that can quickly spread to the inside of your home causing major damage. Also, having a yearly check of your electrical panel, breakers, outlets and switches is a good preventative against electrical fires. You should make sure to keep all outlets free from clutter, paper or any items that can easily catch fire. Below are a few tips on how to keep safe during a fire:
I know this may be repetitive, but I cannot tell you how many times we review a client’s policy and there is not enough coverage to rebuild your entire home if a catastrophic event like a fire were to occur. Call us today for a FREE policy review 561-288-6343 or visit us here so that we can help protect your biggest investment. |
AuthorKaren Schiffmiller Archives
February 2021
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