Tips On How to Choose a Public Adjuster for You So you've suffered disaster and consequently a loss or property damage. You’ve weighed your options and realize your best choice is to hire a public adjuster. Now you have to figure out how to choose a public adjuster that best fits your claim adjustment needs. Like any business, all adjusters are not created equal. They have different experience levels for filing insurance claims and handle different types of claims. So screening for independent adjusters that have experience handling your type of claim should not be taken lightly. For this reason, we have compiled this list of tips on how to choose a public adjuster. With this in mind, remember that you are the client and should not be intimidated by high pressure tactics or industry lingo. If you’re uncomfortable with someone, then there is probably a good reason for it. So it’s important to consider the following criteria when hiring a public insurance adjuster: How to Choose a Public Adjuster Tip #1:First, don’t hire the first adjuster that comes along. Of course public adjusters are good salesmen. But their ability to market to you says nothing about their abilities to serve you. So consider your options since there are plenty of independent adjusters out there. How to Choose a Public Adjuster Tip #2:Second, make sure your public adjuster is experienced. If a public adjuster is committed to serving their customers, they invest in association memberships to gain access to education. As a result, they usually belong to a number of groups including the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA), Windstorm Insurance Network (WIND), and United Policyholders of America. With this in mind, many of these groups have strict ethical standards. Therefore, members are expected to abide by them. Moreover, these associations also have online directories that list their members. How to Choose a Public Adjuster Tip #3:Also, ensure they obey the law. Many states...

Guide to submitting a successful property insurance claim. Property insurance, like homeowners insurance, for example, covers your property and belongings in the event of damage or theft. Therefore, if your property suffers damage from a fire or storm, you'll need to submit an insurance claim. Likewise, in case of stolen or vandalized property, submitting an insurance claim will also be necessary. However, before submitting a property insurance claim, look over your policy. You'll be able to ensure coverage for the damage you're claiming. It's also a good idea to get familiar with specific policy details like your deductible and how your payout is calculated. Finally, sometimes policy language is a little unclear. Therefore, consider hiring a public adjuster to help out with submitting your insurance claim. Once you know your insurance covers your damage or loss, it's time to submit a claim with your insurance company. Most insurance companies have a time limit to file claims. For example, some insurers might require you to submit your claim within a year of the incident. Meanwhile, others have a six-month time frame. Read on ahead to learn more about the entire property insurance submitting process. How to Submit an Insurance Claim? Calling your insurance company may not be the first thing you think to do after a fire, storm, theft, disaster. But suppose you do think you have coverage for the damage. In that case, it's important to notify your insurer as quickly as possible. This is both for safety reasons and to begin the claim process. When you call your insurance company, be sure to have as many details as possible about what caused the loss. Although it's important to be honest on your claim, you need to be careful not to suggest the loss is your fault. Doing so could significantly impact the outcome of your claim. Moreover, remember that the property insurance claim filing process tends to vary a bit. It usually depends on the insurance company and the type...

As a responsible homeowner, you probably try your hardest to keep your home in good order. But unfortunately, things can sometimes go wrong. For instance, a major storm could roll through and destroy your roof, or a wildfire could burn down your new home addition. These are just a few of the situations that might lead to a home insurance claim. However, some insurance claim causes are more common than others. In this article, we have compiled a list of some of the most common home insurance claims so you can proactively protect your property. So, What Are the Most Common Home Insurance Claims? First, weather incidents account for more than half of all homeowners insurance claims. Weather can cause a wide range of damage, such as wind damage, frozen pipes, ice dams, roof bursting and leaks. Meanwhile, fire-related claims are the most expensive. Whichever the case, the most common home insurance claims typically fall into one of the following categories. We'll go into detail later on throughout this article. Exterior wind damage Non-weather-related water damage. Hail. Weather-related water damage. Theft. Other Regional Differences Nevertheless, the leading cause of claims differs depending on where customers live. For example, in the Northeast, the wind is the most common cause of claims. In addition, snow and ice roof damage was also a common claim throughout the region. Moreover, fire is the costliest source of claims for homeowners in this area. In the South, wind is the most common cause of home claims, and hail is the most expensive. Meanwhile, in the West, wind and hail are the most common reason for a homeowners insurance claim. It is also the costliest damage. Midwestern homeowners also saw repeated problems caused by sewer or sump pump backups. Most Common Home Insurance Claims Most Common Home Insurance Claims: Wind and Hail Damage Wind As mentioned before, wind damage is one of the most common causes of home insurance claims. Fortunately, standard...

How to Get More Money from Insurance Claim; What Determines How Much Money You Will Get? It's very typical for policyholders to want to know how to get more money from insurance claims. For this reason, we have compiled this article of tips and tricks on how to maximize your claim settlement. However, to learn how to get more money from your insurance claim, you must first understand what determines your settlement. Insurance adjusters generally base their settlement offers on the type of policy you chose when you got homeowners insurance. Regardless, payouts are usually based on one of the following three possible options: Actual Cash Value (ACV) Actual cash value gives you a depreciated value of lost or damaged items and structures. However, choosing this type of coverage can be a very dangerous option when purchasing your insurance since it will never allow you to replace what you have lost. It might mean a cheaper premium, but it could result in you having to spend more money in the long run. Replacement Cost Replacement cost allows for the replacement of damaged goods with items of the same or similar value. Of course, that is as long as the item is not obsolete or impossible to replace. The terms and conditions of this kind of coverage require you to replace the item before getting the full settlement. Therefore, you may receive half of the amount you need to replace the item and only get the remainder once you prove it has been replaced. However, if you choose not to replace, then you get Actual Cash Value. Moreover, the replacement cost of rebuilding your home is based on the insured value. In building insurance, some insurance companies offer extended replacement cost coverage if the actual cost of reconstruction exceeds the insured building value amount. Replacement Cost With a Cash-Out Option Replacement cost with a cash-out option is a higher-end insurance option. As a result, it is usually only available for high-valued homes or specialized policies....

Getting reimbursed for a covered incident isn't as easy as simply filing a document. Insurance claims are a long and often complex process. Therefore, understanding it is your best shot at success. Public adjusters can be of great help since they are insurance claim professionals that work for the policyholder. Keep on reading to learn the most important homeowners insurance claim tips. Homeowners insurance claim tips #1: First, know your home insurance policy Your policy is the contract that binds you and your insurer. It outlines the details of your coverage. So understanding your policy and knowing what's covered, what's excluded, and the deductibles are crucial. If you don't know how to decipher policy language, a public adjuster can help interpret it for free. Homeowners insurance claim tips #2: If you think you have a case, file your claim as soon as possible. Don't let the bills or receipts pile up. Instead, after the damage, call your agent or your company's claims hotline as promptly as you can. In fact, your policy might require that you make the notification within a certain time frame. Moreover, remember to file a police report, if necessary. If the damage resulted from a crime, report it to the police and ask for a copy of the police report. You'll need this document when you make a claim with your insurance company. Homeowners insurance claim tips #3: Fill out claims paperwork on time Once you inform your insurer about the incident, they will send over forms for you to fill out. Your insurer will assign you an insurance adjuster to manage your case and confirm you meet any deadlines your policy outlines. Depending on the insurance company and the type of insurance claim, you might have to send in the following: Description of the loss and how it happened Second, an inventory of the lost or damaged personal property. Also, the specifications of the damaged structures Finally, receipts for additional living expenses if you can't live in your house. As...

Find a public adjuster to manage your property insurance claim today! When you hire a public adjuster, it is essential to ensure they are trustworthy, dependable, and have the necessary experience. Hiring the wrong public adjuster can severely jeopardize your insurance claim and even damage your reputation with your insurer. In fact, the public adjuster industry is a highly specialized field that requires specifically trained professionals to do the job correctly. Therefore, hiring the wrong public adjuster can do more harm than good. Settling an insurance claim can be a lengthy and challenging process, and you're likely not an expert. To illustrate, you may not understand specific legal terms or lack knowledge of how the insurance industry works. For these reasons, dealing with an insurance company can be a very intimidating and stressful process. In fact, insurance companies know how much power they have over the average policyholder. After all, insurance companies are for-profit businesses. The specific goal of an insurance company is to issue the lowest payout they legally can pay without getting in trouble. Regardless, this is what public adjusters are for. Public adjusters represent policyholders like you. Their goal is to handle your insurance claim from start to finish, maximize your settlement, and protect your rights. Finding the best public adjuster can provide enormous benefits to your insurance claim process and outcome. Find a public adjuster today! When to Find a Public Adjuster Generally, it's in your best interest to hire a public adjuster if there's a dispute between you and your insurance company. Or if you suspect your insurer is treating you unfairly, as well as for dealing with claims over $50,000. Public adjusters also take care of every single as[ect of your claim if you lack the time and experience. However, you must know that public adjusters work on a contingency fee basis. Therefore, the adjuster gets a cut of your final settlement. It...

If you are struggling to sort out an insurance claim, hiring a public adjuster may be a good idea. Public adjusters are insurance claim professionals trained and dedicated to work for your claim, and its best interest, unlike insurance adjusters who work exclusively for the insurance companies. However, hiring a public adjuster does come with a price. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how public adjuster fees are structured. First, you should decide if you need a public adjuster to manage your insurance claim in the first place. For example, you might lack the expertise to deal with the process and the insurer. Or maybe, you don't have the time to work through the time-consuming payout process or negotiate a low-ball offer. If any of that is the case, then it is advisable to get the paid services of a professional public adjuster. In fact, public adjusters will help with every detail of your case. For instance, they will learn your policy scheme, assess the damage to your property, negotiate the highest payout and sometimes even deal with contractors. As mentioned before, a public adjuster does not have any affiliation with the insurance company. They are only there for your benefit, so hire one today! Public Adjuster Fee Structure What Are Typical Public Adjuster Fee Arrangements? Hourly rates Flat fees Retainers Contingent fees The way a public adjuster charges often depends on how the adjuster operates, as well as the size of the claim, type of loss, and the complexity of the damage. Nevertheless, hourly rates are not the most common arrangement for public adjusters. Furthermore, always remember to settle a fee rate and way of payment with your public adjuster before you enter into any agreements. They should tell you upfront what their rate is and which method they use. Most importantly, this should also be added to your signed contract with the public adjuster. Moreover, know that public adjuster fees are regulated at a state level. Thus, public...

When to Hire a Public Adjuster: What is a Public Insurance Adjuster? Public insurance adjusters are property loss professionals who work on behalf of policyholders. In fact, they are the only insurance professionals that work for the insured and not for the insurance company. Individual policyholders and businesses usually hire public insurance adjusters to help out with filing and settling their insurance claims. However, defining when to hire a public adjuster can sometimes be tricky. To illustrate, public insurance adjusters can file and negotiate claims for flood, fire, smoke, wind and hurricane damage, as well as damage due to other covered perils. Moreover, property damage might also result in other types of losses, such as business income. Public adjusters can also evaluate these types of losses and help you get compensated. Public insurance adjusters are experts in insurance policy language, policyholder rights, claim filing and claim adjusting. They usually also have experience in construction and other related fields. As well as possess sophisticated software to perform independent evaluations and estimates of a client's property damage. In addition, they know exactly how to log and submit initial and supplemental claims for a policyholder. When to Hire a Public Adjuster: Public vs Company and Independent adjusters Public adjusters are one of the three main categories of insurance adjuster. In fact, each type of adjuster is employed by a different group. Insurance companies, businesses and individuals all use insurance adjusters to evaluate property damage and to estimate the dollar amount a claim should pay out. However carriers employ company adjusters and send them to evaluate claims filed by their company's policyholders. Meanwhile, independent adjusters Independent adjusters also work for insurance companies, but act more as consultants. They are usually hired on an as-needed basis because of a surge in demand or for specific expertise. And as we...

Hail Damage Insurance Claims Did you know that hail damage is one of the most common homeowners insurance claims? They generally account for almost 70 percent of insured property losses. Hailstones usually have a diameter of about one-quarter inch and weigh a few ounces. But, now and then, they can reach the ground as large as six inches in diameter. As well as weighing over a pound each. However, hailstones don’t have to get to these extremes of size and weight to cause severe damage. And meanwhile hail damage can be extensive and expensive, in most cases, your standard homeowners insurance policy will usually cover the damage. Luckily, most policies cover structural property damage from perils such as hail, including coverage for your roof, windows, garage, appliances, porch, or deck. Nevertheless, the actual amount that will be covered for repairs depends on the limits and deductibles you chose when you purchased your policy. So what should you know about hail damage insurance claims? Find out down below. What Type of Insurance Do I Need to Cover Hail Damage? The type of insurance you need depends on what you want to insure and where you live. For example, home insurance pays to repair or replace your house if it’s damaged or destroyed by certain covered perils, such as fire and wind. Furthermore, homeowners insurance also covers personal property such as your furniture, clothes and other items you own. Moreover, if you have Loss of Use Coverage, also known as Additional Living Expenses, your policy will cover some of your expenses if you have to temporarily move because your house is too damaged to live in. For instance, some of the expenses covered by Loss of Use are temporary rent and extra meal costs. Likewise and most important, standard home insurance is meant to cover hail damage in any case. Besides helping businesses repair or replace property that’s damaged by an event covered by the policy, commercial property insurance could also cover hail damage...

Winter can be lovely with it’s chilly temperatures and snowy scenery. However, in addition to all the nice things brought by this time of year, there are also downsides. For example, winter weather also brings increased risk of winter water damage to your home. Furthermore, winter is notorious for being cold and wet, and large amounts of snow and ice can have severe consequences. Therefore, there are three of the top causes of winter water damage. But never fear, there are also forms to prevent it. This winter, spend less time worrying about water damage and more time enjoying the season with your family and friends. Top Causes for Winter Water Damage 1. First, burst or frozen water pipes are the most common type of winter water damage Extreme low temperatures can wreak havoc on pipes. However, it is not from water freezing and expanding. But rather frozen pipes build up significant pressure due to blockage, thus leading to cracks and flooding once the ice melts. For this reason, it’s a good idea to make sure your outer walls and any exposed pipes are properly insulated. Caulk cracks and holes you see in your exterior walls to prevent cold air from reaching the pipes. Moreover, make sure to shield exposed pipes from freezing temperatures by wrapping them with insulating tape. In fact, old towels can also do the trick. Meanwhile, whenever temperatures are very low or you plan to be away from home for several days, you could leave the faucets lightly dripping. As well as keep the cabinets under your sink open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes. Doing so will keep water flowing and can help prevent your pipes from freezing. In addition to that you could also shut off the water in your home if you have access to the valve. However, for maximum protection against hidden or sudden leaks, detection systems do exist. Generally the way they work is that they can monitor water pressure and automatically signal a water shut-off. This technology can reduce the...