When you make an insurance claim, you always hope that things will go smoothly. Ideally, you would file your claim, an insurance adjuster would inspect the damage and write an estimate for the cost of repairs. You would then receive the amount needed to repair your damaged property.
 
Unfortunately, it doesn't always work this way. An insurance adjuster may not always agree with the policyholder as to the value of the claim. Sometimes the amount offered by the insurance company might be significantly lower than what the policyholder making a claim might have expected. In some cases, your policy will have an alternative dispute resolution process where you can dispute the claim and try to get the insurance company to pay more for your damages.
 
If there's a dispute over an insurance claim, there are various ways to resolve the situation. One way to move forward is to invoke the appraisal clause in the insurance policy. In this example, both the policyholder and the insurance company designate an individual to serve as their appraiser for the claim.  Both appraisers meet at the property to inspect the damages and discuss the differences between the two estimates and try to come to an agreement.  If they are unable to do so, a third party called an umpire, is called in to make a final decision and resolve the dispute.
 
The umpire must be competent to make such a decision, with in-depth knowledge of property dispute resolutions, which relate to the kind of claim being disputed. The umpire must also be disinterested and impartial and not be connected in any way to either the insurance company or the policyholder who is making the claim.  The insurance claims umpire will meet both appraisers at the property and listen to both of their positions on why they feel they are correct.
 
The umpire will then render a decision which is binding and final.  Both the policyholder and the insurance company have to accept the result. That is why it is important to choose an expert insurance claims appraiser, and if needed, an umpire who can make a fair claims settlement.
 
We are Certified Insurance Appraisers and Umpires (CPIAU) and have the knowledge and expertise having handled many claims dispute resolutions throughout our careers.

The Difference Between Insurance Adjusters, Independent Insurance Adjusters and Public Insurance Adjusters

Insurance Adjusters
 
An insurance adjuster is somebody who is tasked with investigating insurance claims. The ones who work for insurance companies can be desk adjusters (also called claims examiners) and field adjusters. It is the field adjuster's responsibility to visit your property and inspect the damages. They will gather information about your claim, take pictures of the loss and prepare an estimate of how much the damage is worth. Once that is completed, they will submit their report to the desk adjuster for review.
 
The desk adjuster will review all the documentation submitted by the field adjuster in order to determine if the claim is covered. They may ask you for additional information about your claim or ask you to provide a recorded statement to provide facts about the claim. Once their investigation is complete, they will create a report with a recommendation on how much the insurance company should pay.
 
Independent Insurance Adjusters
 
Independent insurance adjusters perform the same function as a field adjuster but are not employees of the insurance company. They work for themselves or an adjusting company contracted by the insurance company. Although independent adjusters are not permanent employees of an insurance company, they still work for insurers rather than policyholders and represent the interests of the insurance company.
 
Public Insurance Adjusters
 
Public insurance adjusters are also known, confusingly, as private insurance adjusters. We do the same job as a field adjuster and a desk adjuster combined. We work solely for you, the policyholder, not the insurance company. Our job is to protect your interests and make sure that the insurance company pays the proper amount for your insurance claim.
 
We review your insurance policy and inspect the damages to make sure you have a covered loss. We take copious notes and photographs and prepare an itemized damage estimate to properly document the amount you are entitled to under your insurance policy and that all coverages are accounted for.
 
Getting expert help from a public insurance adjuster will not only save you from dealing with the insurance company on your own, but will result in the best possible outcome for you claim no matter the size and type of damage to your property.

There have been so any times that I enter a home and there is a weird odor that gets more prominent as you walk into the kitchen.  I look around and the home is clean, sink empty and clean, no food or garbage is noticeable.  What could that smell be?
 
In south Florida, sink disposals are in almost every kitchen.  You use it regularly and probably rinse it after every use, but there always seem to be an odor emanating from it and you cannot figure out why.  Let me explain.
 
When you use your disposal, there are always remnants of food particles that adhere to the underside of the rubber and to the metal neck (upper part) of the disposal right beneath the rubber.  No matter how many times you rinse or clean your disposal, the odor will not leave.
 
Here are important tips to rid your disposal of any odor and keep your home smelling fresh and clean.  These can also help you avoid a potential blockage in your disposal which could lead to water damage to your kitchen cabinets:
 

1. When using your disposal, always use hot water. This will help to eliminate any residue from foods cooked with oil.
2. Clean your disposal after each use with a mild cleaning solution of your choice along with hot water and rinse thoroughly. 
3. This is the most important part!  You must always clean the underside of the rubber and metal neck of the disposal and rinse thoroughly with hot water.  DO NOT turn the disposal on during this process.  This is the key to removing any excess food or oily residue and will keep your disposal fresh and odor free.

 
Always stay safe while cleaning your disposal and do not place your hands down into the main part of the disposal.  Wishing you a safe and happy holiday.

As Covid-19 has affected so many families throughout our country, it is important to remember those that are struggling in our communities. Those that have lost their jobs, cannot feed their families nor pay for the necessities of housing, water and electric.
 
I have always made it my mission, not just professionally, but personally as well, to always help others. I have been this way since I was a child and helping children is my primary focus.

I recently learned about a family where both parents lost their jobs after Covid and they were living out of their car with two young children. Although we help all year round, I was unable to stop thinking about this family when I learned of another family needing help.

​For any child left to wonder how they will eat or have basic needs met, just tears at my heart. I had a discussion with some friends who also wanted to help a family in need.  With a collective effort of shopping, we were able to help these families with gift cards, gas cards, clothing and toys for the children.  I know I certainly slept better that night.
 
Paying it forward and giving back is so important.  If you can, please make a difference in the lives of others by contacting your local food banks and charities and donate what you can or volunteer where needed.  No matter the size of your donation, donating to help those in need certainly makes a difference.  ​

Thanksgiving is a festive time of year to enjoy delicious food and time spend time with our families and loved ones.  Cooking and baking are an essential part of the holiday and we never think anything will happen.  Do you know that many property damage claims and injuries can result from unexpected accidents while cooking and preparing for the holidays?
 
Here are some safety tips that you may not think about, but they can help to avoid injury and property damage:
 

1. Keep an extinguisher nearby in case of fire.
   
2. If utilizing a fryer to cook your turkey outdoors, make sure to place the fryer away from any building and roof overhang.  This will prevent your property from catching fire in the event of a flareup.
3. Wearing fire safe apron and mitts that cover and protect your body and arms during this frying process will help to avoid being burned.
4. While the turkey is cooking in the fryer, keep a safe distance away and never put your face or body directly over the fryer.  This will help prevent burns from splashing and bubbling oil.
5. If you can, use a fire safe splash mat under your fryer in case of oil spillage during the frying process. This will also assist in an easy clean up once your turkey is finished and removed from the fryer.
6. It is important to always discard used oil and grease in sealed containers and throw in the proper trash containers.  Never discard oil or grease down your sink drains, disposals or toilets. This can certainly cause a blockage in your plumbing system which can result in a back-up, resulting in water damage to your property.
7. When cooking food in the oven or stove, make sure to utilize oven mitts to prevent oven and steam burns to your hands and arms. 
8. When utilizing glass cookware/bakeware, make sure they are oven safe and always place hot dishes on wood or silicone trivets. This will help prevent shattering when the dishes are removed from hot oven and placed on a cold surface.

 
If you are traveling during these trying times of Covid, we wish you safe travels.  Because you may be unaware of the sanitizing process in many public places, the unknown can create unnecessary stress.  It is important to remember to where a mask, social distance, wash your hands as much as possible and to keep hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes/spray with you at all times.  This will not only help to protect you and your loved ones, but it can also help protect those who are more vulnerable with pre-existing health issues.
 
From our homes to yours, we wish you a very safe, happy and healthy Thanksgiving!