When you have property damage and file an insurance claim, there will often be a disagreement on the damages, the repair method, or the dollar amount of the damages.
Whether you own commercial or residential property, it’s important to resolve the claim promptly and efficiently. One way to do that is through appraisal. The appraisal process should be conducted in a professional and timely manner and can help avoid litigation and keep costs down for you and the insurance company. Hiring An Insurance Claim Appraiser When an insurance claim dispute arises and you cannot resolve the differences, some policies provide for an alternative dispute resolution such as appraisal. In that case, you will need to hire an experienced Appraiser to represent you during this process. In order the ensure that your appraiser understands your claim, you will need to provide him/her with all the documentation you have in support of your claim. This will include damage photos, videos, estimates, and any repair invoices. Hiring a professional Appraiser with the knowledge and experience to handle your type of property damage claim is important. Would you hire a contractor to complete your taxes? What To Expect During The Appraisal Process The appraisal process will begin with the opposing appraiser for the insurance company, and your appraiser scheduling an inspection at your property. They will each present their documentation to support their position on your claim and view and discuss the damages and repairs during their inspection. Once the inspection is completed, both appraisers will discuss the claim during a separate meeting or phone call and try to resolve the claim. If they are unable to do so, they will agree to request the services of an agreed-upon Umpire. Insurance Claim Umpire An insurance claim Umpire is an impartial 3rd party requested to assist in resolving the insurance claim dispute and provide an objective evaluation of the claim to facilitate a fair resolution of the claim. Besides being impartial, the umpire should not have too heavy a caseload, so a resolution of your claim can be reached in a timely manner. Who Pays The Umpire? The cost of the Umpire services is equally borne between the insurance company and the property owner. This way the cost is not a burden solely to one party. Karen Schiffmiller and Scott Scovin both have their Certified Property Insurance Appraiser & Umpire (CPAU) designations. They have handled many appraisals throughout their careers and pride themselves on their honesty and integrity. Whether you need help with a new, underpaid, or disputed insurance claim, we have the knowledge and experience. To find out how we can best serve you, call us at (561) 288-6434 or contact us here.
0 Comments
Summer in South Florida has our temperatures souring at their highest and although it may be in the 90’s, with the heat index lately, it feels more like the 100’s.
Whether you own a commercial or residential property, it can be frustrating when the air conditioner fails while experiencing such hot weather. Maintaining the HVAC unit(s) throughout the year will ensure your property is cool and comfortable during the sweltering summer months. Maintaining Your HVAC System for Summer Doing these preventative steps to your HVAC system means you’ll be set for the summer heat. 1. Change Your Filters Regularly Clean air circulating throughout your property is important for the health and wellness of your HVAC system. The most efficient thing you can do to maintain your system is to clean or change your filters monthly. Pet hair, dander, and debris can accumulate more quickly when you have pets or carpeting, and it is crucial to change your filters more regularly in these circumstances. 2. Schedule Annual Maintenance Checks Scheduling regular maintenance checkups with a reputable air conditioner service company will also help to keep the unit performing at its best which will help the longevity of the unit. 3. Clear the Area Around the Interior Unit Keep the interior air handler free from clutter to allow proper air circulation around the unit. This will help avoid condensation on the outside of the unit and avoid any potential mold growth. Check the unit regularly to make sure it is functioning efficiently and free from leaks. 4. Clean the Area Around the Outdoor Unit Outdoor condenser units are just as important to maintain. Leaves, twigs, and debris can gather at the base. As part of your yearly maintenance, turn off your air conditioner and remove any debris near the base. 5. Maintain the Exterior of the Property Inspect the exterior of your home regularly and be sure to repair and seal any cracks or holes in the walls, doors or windows. Your HVAC system needs to work harder when cool air escapes. Caulk and weather stripping are effective when applied correctly. This will also help to keep water from seeping into your home and avoid unnecessary water damage to your property. 6. Utilize Ceiling Fans If you have ceiling fans throughout your property, they can be a great asset for your HVAC system. Ceiling fans are a great way to keep your thermostat a few degrees higher with continuous air flow supporting the unit. Review Your Property Insurance Policy Another important property maintenance tip you should not skip … Review your property insurance policy and make sure you have the proper coverage. We can assist you, whether you need a pre-damage property inspection or help with a new or underpaid insurance claim. To find out how we can best serve you, call us at (561) 288-6434 or contact us here. In South Florida, there are certain times of the year when rains are heavy and constant. When you own a residential or commercial property, you have a responsibility to protect the property, and maintain it to prevent property damage.
Sudden and accidental events happen frequently, but if you maintain your property, the likelihood of damage occurring is lessened. We received a call from a woman who had water damage in her master bedroom, closet, and another bedroom. She was unsure of where the water was coming from and needed help. What’s Causing The Damage? When we arrived, the homeowner showed us the damage. There were visible signs of water damage to the floors, baseboards, and walls. My infrared camera showed quite a bit of moisture in these areas. The bathroom was located across the hall and away from these two rooms. There was no active leak or moisture, so we ruled out a plumbing leak. We inspected the ceilings and found that there weren’t any water stains, nor did the camera pick up any moisture. The property owner confirmed that the damage they found was isolated to the lower portion of the rooms. Investigate, Investigate, Investigate The bedrooms are located at the rear of the home. We went outside to the back and side of the property and found quite a bit of soil erosion. The grass was also gone in those areas, exposing the foundation. There was a drainage ditch at the rear of their property line, and we confirmed the water never rose high enough to enter their yard or come close to their home. I looked up to the roof line and saw they did not have gutters on the sides or rear of their home. They owned the property for 10 years, so every time it rained, the water poured off the roof and pounded the ground below causing the grass and soil to wash away over time. The ground in those areas is hardened, and there is no drainage, and the water could not soak into the ground. Rainwater then pooled at the foundation and seeped into their home. Is The Damage Covered? Although the property owner kept saying her home was flooded when it rained, soil erosion nor rain, is a covered cause of loss in her homeowner’s insurance policy, so the ensuing damages are not covered. Had the damage been caused by an actual flood, her flood insurance would have covered the damage. Flood is a rising/flowing body of water that submerges land, and the water enters the property from the exterior. Not all damage is covered in your insurance policy. You must read and understand your insurance coverage to make an informed decision on the right policy and coverage. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we have the knowledge and expertise to handle any property damage insurance claim. If you have a new or underpaid insurance claim, we are here to help. Contact us today. After a nice dinner out with their friends in Boynton Beach, Florida, our client arrived home to the sound of smoke alarms and a wall of smoke as they entered the home. They soon found a fire raging in the master bathroom and called 911.
Fires are hazardous and can cause significant damage quickly. They put off extreme heat and you can get severely burned trying to put a fire out on your own. To avoid serious injury or smoke inhalation, you should always call 911 and leave the job to trained professionals. Accurate Information is Important When you file a property damage insurance claim, it’s important to provide accurate information to your insurance company, and the fire investigator to help determine the cause of the fire. When we met the fire investigator assigned to the claim, he interviewed our client. One of the questions he asked was if they use candles. Our client said his wife does occasionally when she relaxes in a bath. In addition to asking multiple questions, he asked if they have pets, and our client confirmed they have two cats. We were with the inspector while he was going through the burnt debris in the bathroom. The bathroom countertop and vanity were severely fire damaged. There were remains of two candles on the countertop, an electric makeup mirror, and what we soon realized was charred jewelry. He kept leaning toward the candles as the cause and thought the cats may have knocked one over. However, our client never lit the candles that day and had just come home from work and left for dinner. I informed the inspector of this information and pointed to the burned wire on what remained of the makeup mirror. As he inspected the electrical cord, he noticed that part of it was caught in the vanity drawer of the burnt cabinet. He pulled the wire out of the drawer and showed us the wire was crushed by being caught in the drawer and this was the cause of the fire! 3 Simple Tips To Avoid A Fire
Inventory Your Property Make a list of all your personal belongings, together with photos or video so in the event you do have a fire or other type of loss, you can easily identify them and compile a list of your damaged property. Know Your Insurance Coverage Review your insurance policy to verify that your property is fully protected and covered for damage. Keep a copy of your policy in your email or cloud storage for easy access. Reliant Insurance Adjusters is here for you. Our team has the knowledge and experience to handle all types of insurance claims. We also conduct Pre-Damage Inspections of your property and provide a detailed photo report for your records. If you have a new or underpaid property damage insurance claim or need a pre-damage inspection report, we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection. Hurricane Season in South Florida is around the corner and begins June 1st through November 31st. Whether you own a residential or commercial property, you should plan ahead and be prepared. You can take many precautionary measures in advance to protect your property and financial well-being and avoid being unprepared at the last minute. Although preparation and property protection are important to avoid filing a property damage insurance claim, there are times when it cannot be avoided. Following our checklist and tips below will help alleviate the stress and anxiety of last-minute preparation. Hurricane Supply Checklist We created our own Hurricane Supply Checklist to help make your preparation easy so you do not have to think about what you need. Click below to download your free copy. Why Pre-Damage Property Inspections Help Get a pre-damage property inspection before you need to file an insurance claim. This will prepare you with sufficient evidence and proof that new damage is not pre-existing damage. Not everyone has the time, resources, or equipment to comprehensively document the interior and exterior of their property before damage occurs. Reliant Insurance Adjusters has a Pre-Damage Inspection Program for both residential and commercial properties in Broward and Palm Beach County. We conduct a complete and thorough inspection of the interior and exterior of your property to document its condition before you have to file an insurance claim. Our inspections include a photo report of the exterior and interior, together with aerial images of your roof with our state-of-the-art drone equipment. Know Your Insurance Coverage Reviewing your insurance policy to verify that your property is fully protected and covered for any damage, such as fire, water damage, hurricanes, and wind, is important. You must obtain a separate flood insurance policy because a property insurance policy does not cover flood-related damage. Inventory Your Property Compile a list of all your personal belongings or business personal property together with photos or video showing the condition before any damage occurs. This is not only for hurricane damage but also in the event of water damage and fires. Keep any important reports, documents, photos, and videos stored in cloud-based storage for easy access, as well as protect physical copies in plastic bins. Prepare & Protect Your Property Reduce or prevent water damage by diverting water away from your property by clearing your gutters, downspouts, and drains. If you do not have impact windows or storm shutters, cover your windows with plywood. Trim large trees and store outdoor furniture and items indoors. This will help protect the exterior of your property. Plan Your Evacuation Route You should always plan your evacuation ahead of time in the event you must leave. Evacuations are not just for those who reside on or near the coast. If you do evacuate, unplug all appliances and electronics and try to place them above ground level in case of flooding. When planning, familiarize yourself with nearby shelters and where you can board your pets. Make sure to review the plans with everyone in your home and that each person knows what to do in the event of an emergency. Reliant Insurance Adjusters is here for you. Our team has the knowledge and experience to handle all types of insurance claims, interpret insurance policies, and protect our clients’ best interests. We also have the resources to conduct a Pre-Damage Inspection of your property. Contact us today to schedule your inspection and receive a free insurance policy review. Wildfires can start during the dry months of the year. They are fierce, can happen instantly, and spread quickly.
With the warmer weather fast approaching in West Palm Beach, Florida, and South, keep your property safe by removing any flammable debris, especially dry leaves and branches that can catch fire fast. Cooking fires are responsible for thousands of injuries per year. The following are some safety tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe. Check Smoke Alarms Frequently Changing the batteries every 6-12 months is important if your smoke alarms are not hard-wired. All too often, fires start in homes where owners have not maintained their smoke alarms. Ensure you have fully functioning smoke alarms near your kitchen, bedrooms, and each level of your home. Keeping your family free from harm is the top priority. Remove Fire Hazards While Cooking Thoroughly review all countertops near your stove and remove anything flammable. This may include hand towels, plastic bags, wooden utensils, hot pads, and oven mitts. If you like to burn scented candles, place them out of reach from children and pets to avoid burns or fire. Cooking Safety Tips Year-round kitchen safety is important. Here are additional tips to ensure everyone is safe:
Following these suggestions will help ensure that you, your family, and your guests keep safe year-round. Do you want to receive more helpful tips and great information? Contact us to be added to our blog list. Condominium insurance coverage is essential when you own property in Highland Beach, Florida, or any other part of the state.
When you first purchase a condominium unit, you are provided with a set of “condo documents” at closing. Those documents include the Declarations of the Condominium, Articles of Incorporation, Amendments, Rules & Regulations, etc. The documents will also explain the parts of the unit and building that are the responsibility of the unit owner and the condo association. In the event that you need to file a property damage insurance claim, it’s important to understand your insurance coverage. What Does Condo Unit Owner Insurance Cover? As a unit owner, your insurance policy typically covers your personal property and floor, wall, and ceiling coverings. Also, electrical fixtures, appliances, water heaters, water filters, plumbing fixtures, built-in cabinets, countertops, and window treatments. Coverage Usually Excluded In A Unit Owner Policy A unit owner’s policy does not cover drywall, plumbing, and electrical fixtures inside the walls or above the ceiling. Also excluded from a unit owner’s policy are roof coverings, windows, and exterior doors, as well as any common elements that are the responsibility of the association. Although your condominium documents may state the unit owner is responsible for some of these items, the Florida Statute says otherwise. Read your condo documents to ensure you have the right coverage in your policy. Who Should File An Insurance Claim Depending on what portion of the building is damaged and what caused the damage will determine if you or the association should file an insurance claim. When there is damage to the portions of the building owned by the association, the association should file a claim with their insurance company. If a unit owner sustains property damage to the interior of their unit, depending on what caused the loss, will determine if the unit owner should file a claim with their insurance company. Reliant Insurance Adjusters has the knowledge and experience to understand the complexities of insurance policies and condo documents. We handle new, underpaid, and denied claims. Contact us today to help you with your claim or for a free insurance policy review. We are approaching that time of year again in South Florida when the rain doesn’t seem to end.
Rainy season can be peaceful and tranquil sometimes, but it may not feel that way when you have a roof leak. We will begin to receive calls that someone has property damage, and their roof is leaking. However, will the damage be covered, and is there enough damage to file an insurance claim? Assessing The Damage Oftentimes, when your roof begins to leak, the damage can be isolated to a small area of your property. Many people see water stains on the ceiling and instantly want to file an insurance claim. They do not view the amount of their deductible compared to the amount of the damage. Also, your policy may not cover the roof repair cost, depending on what caused the roof to leak, and your claim may be under deductible if the damage is minimal. Is The Damage Covered? During the past few years, I have written many blogs about the erosion of coverage. Most policies today no longer cover interior damage resulting from a roof leak. Some insurance companies still do, but very few remain that will cover interior damage from a roof leak. You need to know and understand your insurance policy, your deductible, coverages, and the exclusions. Causes of Loss That Are Covered Your property insurance policy generally covers ensuing damage caused by fire, water damage, lightning strikes, hurricanes, hailstorms, and tornados (unless hurricanes and wind are specifically excluded). Additionally, some policies contain water damage limits, which could mean a large amount of money out of pocket if you have property damage. Make sure your property is fully covered and protected with the proper coverage. Should You File An Insurance Claim? Not all property damage results in a covered insurance claim. You should understand your insurance coverage and your deductible. Then, assess the damage and determine if the amount of damage warrants filing an insurance claim. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, our knowledge and experience matter. We specialize in new, underpaid, and denied claims and pride ourselves on honesty and integrity. We understand insurance policies and are dedicated to providing you with our knowledge and experience. Contact us today to help you with your claim or for a free policy review. Whether you live in Boca Raton, Florida or any other part of the state, property damage can occur at any time and can result from a plumbing leak, fire, hurricane, flood, or other cause of loss.
We will never forget a call from a potential client who had water damage to his property. When we arrived at his home to assess the damage, he showed us multiple areas that were leaking. One area stood out because there was noticeable rot on the baseboard and lower cabinetry, and it appeared to have been going on for a period of time. As we questioned how long it had been leaking, water was dripping on his head from another leak above him. He confirmed both had been ongoing for over a year. Sudden and Accidental Damage is Covered Whether you own a residential or commercial property, sudden and accidental damage that results from a covered cause of loss is covered under your insurance policy. You have an obligation to mitigate this damage and preserve the evidence as soon as possible to avoid additional damage to your property. Long Term Damage Is Not Covered Property damage that has been occurring over a period of time and has not been mitigated, is not covered under your insurance policy. Sometimes, factors beyond your control may prevent you from mitigating the damage. However, you must notify the insurance company in this event and ask for assistance. Your insurance policy is a contract with your insurance company, and you must comply with the duties and conditions of the policy. One of the duties is to protect the property from further damage. Know Your Coverage Understanding your insurance policy and knowing what is covered and excluded is important. Oftentimes, we receive calls for a denied insurance claim because the property owner was unaware there was no coverage for what occurred at the property. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we specialize in new, underpaid, and denied claims and provide free insurance policy reviews. Our Team is dedicated to providing you with our knowledge and experience, so in the invent you do have a loss, we make sure that you have the coverage. Contact us today to help you with your claim or for a free policy review. Weather conditions can impact the number of insurance claims reported to insurance companies, especially in South Florida and throughout the state.
Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, severe storms, and tornados can cause property damage. Additionally, weather events like this also cause damage to vehicles, boats, and equipment. Whether you own a commercial or residential property, certain insurance policies will not cover damage caused by weather events. Types of Damage That May Not Be Covered
Types of Damages That are CoveredDamage caused by hurricanes, hailstorms and tornados are generally covered in your property insurance policy, unless hurricane and wind are specifically excluded. There are separate hurricane and wind policies available in instances such as this. A tornado or hailstorm can cause damage to your property as well as the vehicles you own, whereas a hurricane can lead to widespread property damage and flooding. Know Your CoverageDuring periods of adverse weather conditions, Insurance Companies often see an increase in claims. Not all property damage results in a covered insurance claim, so it’s important to understand your insurance policy and know what is covered. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we specialize in new, underpaid, old and denied claims, and are dedicated to providing you with our professionalism, knowledge and experience. Contact us today to help you with your claim or for a free policy review. |
AuthorKaren Schiffmiller Archives
July 2024
Categories |