 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.
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 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.  Dealing with insurance companies when you have property damage is not a walk in the park. Their terminology can be confusing, how they calculate your claim can be overwhelming, and the investigations needed to acquire a fair settlement can be complex. Dealing with all these on your own can cause a great deal of unnecessary stress. If the claim process becomes too much for you, you can always seek help and assistance from an insurance adjuster in Boca Raton.
Sometimes it’s more practical to hire an expert on these matters, especially if you don’t have the experience, energy, and time to handle your claim. When choosing an insurance adjuster, make sure you find one with the following qualities: Qualities Every Insurance Adjuster Must Have Honesty Honesty is one of the most important characteristics of an insurance adjuster. Your insurance adjuster must be unbiased and fair when reviewing your claim and properly document every detail of your damage, and should request the insurance company to provide coverage for your claim. How will you know if an independent adjuster is honest or not? What you need to do is research them. Read their reviews and what prior clients are saying about the company. You can also check social media platforms for additional comments and reviews before you decide to hire them. Relying on recommendations and referrals from people you trust can also help. Good Communication Skills Communication is paramount when you are working on an insurance claim. Remember, there are many people involved in the process, and you will be communicating with them regularly until your claim is settled. Having good communication skills is essential so that priorities will be set in place, the claims investigation can be completed fast, and the insurance company will be able to process your claim. Trust me, dealing with someone who cannot communicate well is frustrating and is a real headache to deal with. Manages Time Well If your insurance adjuster is organized, you are in good hands because they can manage their time well. A good insurance adjuster will work efficiently and prepare to send all the necessary documents to your insurance company in a timely manner so you can get a quick and fair settlement for your claim. Have You Found the Right Insurance Adjuster in Boca Raton? If you are looking for an insurance adjuster who is honest, can communicate, and manage their time well, you’ve come to the right place. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we have been in the industry long enough to give you honest, reliable, and good quality service. Our reputation speaks for itself. We have your best interest at heart, which is probably the reason why our clients love us and would gladly refer us to their friends and family. Although many companies offer the same services as we do, we strive to give 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 get started.  Is there a limit on your water damage coverage? Does your policy even cover water damage to your property?
Not every insurance policy covers water damage, and if yours does, the coverage may not cover the full extent of the damage. This type of coverage for your property is dependent on the cause. For example, internal water damage, such as wet drywall or damage to your flooring as a result from a ruptured water heater or bust pipe is often covered. However, if the water damage resulted from poor maintenance or a flood, then your property may not be covered under your insurance policy. Determining the root cause of water damage and whether your policy covers it as well as understanding if there is a limit on that coverage can be challenging. The Types of Applicable Water Damage Coverage Dwelling coverage and personal property coverage are two common types of insurance coverage that may cover water damage claims. Dwelling coverage helps to pay for structural property damage, whereas personal property coverage helps to pay for personal belongings, such as furniture, that were damaged. Whether you have one or both types of water damage coverages in your insurance policy, your insurance company may not cover as much of your damages as you may have hoped. Is There A Limit On Insurance Water Damage Coverage? Many individuals might think their insurance company would cover the full extent of water damage costs. All too often, after the insurance adjuster shows up to assess the damage, your insurance company informs you that your policy has a limit of $10,000, for example, but the total damages are a tens of thousands upwards of that. In fact, several insurers are even beginning to exclude water damage coverage entirely for properties that are older than 40 years, or they have altered their policies’ verbiage to cover only a small percentage of the loss and give very specific time parameters for filing a claim. But you may still be given the option to pay an additional premium to include limited water damage coverage in your policy. If you have original or older plumbing, your insurance company may exclude water damage coverage from your insurance policy and may even request that you replace cast iron pipes with PVC pipes in order for them to consider insuring future potential water damage claims. Reading through your insurance policy is important in order to understand the full extent of your water damage coverage. Contact Reliant Insurance Adjusters to learn more about how we can help you, should you need to file a water damage claim, or any property damage claim, with your insurance provider.  Should you be worried about mold in your home? The answer is yes. Mold not only causes damage to your property but also puts your health at risk. If you are planning to file a property damage claim, we suggest you hire a public adjuster in West Palm Beach to guide you.
Having mold in your home is stressful enough. When you add the complexities of processing your insurance claim, you will likely reach your breaking point. Filing an insurance claim is not always a smooth process, and there is always a possibility that you will encounter hurdles along the way. We have compiled some helpful tips to ensure that your journey toward dealing with your claim is smooth and stress-free. Secrets for a Smooth Process Consider Mold Infestation as a Serious Matter Did you know that mold infestation can have serious health consequences? Mold thrives in dark, cold, and moist environments. If you don’t know how to spot mold, it will grow and can eventually wreak havoc on your property. Studies show that people who are constantly exposed to mold can develop respiratory infections, allergies, asthma, diarrhea, vomiting, nose bleeds, and more. Call Your Public Adjuster as Soon as You Suspect Mold The first thing you should do when you discover mold, whether in your home or commercial property, is to call a public adjuster. A public adjuster is someone who advocates for you, the policyholder, and we handle your insurance claim to ensure the best possible claim settlement. Public adjusters do not work for insurance companies; we work for you and prepare all the necessary claim documentation your insurance company requires. Read and Review Your Policy You should always have a copy of your insurance policy on hand, whether in print form or digital format. If you do not have the complete policy, you may request it from your insurance company. It is important to understand what your policy covers and excludes, and make sure you read your declarations page. This is the page that shows the extent of your policy coverage as well as the effective dates of your policy. Often, you are far too busy to review your insurance policy or even try to understand what it means. Insurance policies are confusing at best. Although it is your responsibility as a property owner to know your coverage, you may want to pass this on to a public adjuster. Your public adjuster should always explain the details of your policy and discuss what is covered, limited, and excluded. Are You Looking for a Public Adjuster in West Palm Beach? If your house has mold, don’t attempt to remove it yourself. Call your public adjuster, discuss your current situation and see if you have a covered insurance claim. If you do, then we can assist with filing your insurance claim and following the protocols in your policy. Once those are complied with, you can then have the mold professionally removed. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we have your best interest at heart. We strive to give 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.  Mold infestation is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. Statistics show that more than fifty percent of households in America are contaminated with mold. Mold thrives in a high moisture and wet environment. If your property has been damaged by mold, you should get in touch with a public adjuster in Boca Raton to learn about your options.
There are many forms of mold and some are toxic which can turn your beautiful home into a danger zone. Did you know that certain types of mold are considered a health hazard? It’s safe to say mold is powerful enough to destroy your property and create health problems. So, don’t wait any longer before you start taking action. Handling Mold Infestation in Your Home What is Mold and Why Is It Bad? Mold is a kind of fungus that can grow inside or outside your home. What makes mold dangerous is when it begins releasing mold spores. Although they can grow anywhere, they are particularly attracted to moisture. Therefore, mold growth is common in showers, refrigerators, and homes that have been damaged by water and floods. There are two reasons why you should be worried about mold infestation. 1. When it starts growing it could destroy your prized possessions and cause irreversible damage. 2. It releases hazardous spores into the air that can make you and your family sick. The most common type of mold is Stachybotrys Chartarum aka black mold. Is My Home Contaminated by Mold? Mold thrives in dark and moist environments. Homes that are situated in flood-prone zones and houses that incurred water damage as a result of plumbing problems are most susceptible to mold growth. How are you going to know if your property has mold? One of the indications of mold contamination is when the occupants develop symptoms of respiratory problems. What to Do If Your Home is Infested by Mold If mold is present in your home the first thing you should do is avoid the areas that are contaminated. When you are constantly exposed to mold you will likely experience health problems. Some of the symptoms to look out for include eye irritation, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, skin rash, wheezing, headache, and lung irritation. You should consult with a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. The next step is to repair the source causing the mold. Once that is completed, you must rid your property of mold by calling a reputable and professional mold remediation company. Due to its toxicity, you should never remove mold yourself. If the damage to your property caused by mold is extensive, you should talk to a public adjuster so you both can review your insurance policy to check if the damage is covered and if you should file an insurance claim. Are You Looking for a Public Adjuster in Boca Raton? Mold infestation can be difficult to detect but if you and your family are always getting sick with the symptoms associated with mold growth then you need to take action fast. Call the necessary professionals needed to restore your health and your property. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we care for you, your family, and your property. We consider your property damage as if it were our own. While it’s true that many companies offer the same services as we do, we are proud to be different because we offer you the best of our resources and knowledge so you can get the best deals for your claim. Give us a call to know more about our offers.  Depending on the type of material your roof is made of (tile, shingle, metal, etc.), the length of time you’ve had it, and the wear and tear it has gone through, roof replacement may be necessary.
Roof maintenance and replacement are a routine part of property ownership. However, sometimes, severe weather patterns such as hail and hurricane force winds, can cause the need to replace your roof at a moment's notice. This can be costly when you have not planned or saved for it. While insurance policies are relatively specific regarding roof damage and when they will replace or repair the damages, you may have a separate hurricane deductible, which is typically higher than your All Peril deductible. The age of a roof is a strong indicator of how well a roof will withstand ongoing wear and tear—including hurricane force winds. That coupled with recent legislation (Senate Bill 76) passed by the Florida senate, is leading the discussion in regards to how insurance companies are now forcing roof replacement if your roof has reached its peak, or a certain age. Does This Mean That Your Insurer Can Force You To Replace Your Roof? Insurance companies are for profit businesses, and they evaluate and calculate the financial risk covering your property poses to them. Your insurance company can ask you to replace your roof and may threaten to cancel your insurance policy if you do not. As you know, we are in hurricane season. If Florida sustains a hurricane this year and your roof is damaged, the insurance company may only offer to pay for a fraction of your total roof replacement cost and may state there was prior damage to your roof. That is where our services are most important. Not only are we licensed public insurance adjusters who are licensed and bonded to legally represent an insurance claim, we also offer Pre-Loss Property Inspections to document and show the condition of your property prior to a loss. With our state of the art drone technology, we document the condition of your roof and provide photos and/or video documentation of the interior and exterior of your property. Don’t miss out on our reduced pricing for hurricane season! The bottom line is that no insurance company can force you to replace your roof. However, they can choose to cancel your policy or deny your roof replacement claim, should you choose to not replace your roof. Like many bills, the Florida Insurance Reform Bill has a long list of pros and cons, one of which being that it still requires full replacement of roofs under 10 years old. And for older roofs, companies will be allowed to charge lower premiums but cover less when the roof is damaged, based on what the roof is currently worth. How To Proceed With A Roof Claim? Most insurance policies will include clauses stating that the property owner is responsible for routine maintenance, such as gutter or window repairs. If you have, or need to file a claim for your roof, you should contact a public insurance adjuster to help you settle your claim efficiently and effectively. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we treat every client’s claim as if it were our own and are dedicated to providing you with the professionalism, experience, knowledge and resources to get you the highest possible settlement for your claim. |
AuthorKaren Schiffmiller Archives
October 2021
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