regionadjusting

What Should You Do if You Think You Have Storm Damage to Your Home

Mon, 06 May 2024 15:47:47 GMT

1. Protect your home from further damage!

If you have storm damage to your home, you will want to take the necessary steps to prevent any further damage from occurring. Things such as tarping a leaky roof, drying out the water from a flood and boarding up broken windows are all ways to protect your home from further damage.

2. Schedule a roof inspection

You will want to have a professional come out and inspect the roof to make sure that you have storm damage before filing a claim with your insurance company. You do not want to go through all the steps to open a claim only to have your insurance tell you that you do not have storm damage. Region Adjusting offers FREE roof inspections to confirm whether you have enough storm damage where running a claim would be worth your time and effort!

3. Take Photos

If you are able to access the area where there is damage to your home, be sure to take some photos of the damage. If you hire a Public Adjuster, they will also do an inspection and take their own photos of any damaged areas/items to share with your insurance company. Photos are important in a claim to show the extent of damage to the insurance company. If the insurance estimate comes back and does not include areas of damage, but you have photo evidence that damage exists, there is a better chance of getting the insurance to agree to pay for such damages than if there was not photo evidence.

4. Do NOT provide multiple estimates to your insurance company!

If you file a claim on your own, without a Public Adjuster, it is likely that they will have you provide multiple contractor estimates. The problem with this is that the insurance companies will typically take the lowest estimate that you provided and pay out that dollar amount. The problem with this is that the lowest estimate is probably missing some items that will be required to get your home repairs done thoroughly and correctly, so you are more likely to have to come out of pocket for additional costs or have your home repairs done haphazardly. If you hire a Public Adjuster, they will take the insurance estimate and adjust it to reflect your home being repaired back to its pre-loss condition and up to current building codes and negotiate with the insurance company to get as close as possible to that amount.

10 Questions to ask when finding a Public Adjuster

Mon, 06 May 2024 15:30:10 GMT

1. How long have they been in business?

As with anything, the longer you have been doing it, the more expertise you gain. So, whether someone is a brand-new Public Adjuster or part of a team, you will want someone who has experience in the industry on your side. With insurance claims, there are so many variables and different scenarios that you will come across. The more claims an adjuster, or team of adjusters, have under their belt, the more likely they are to have solutions for anything that might come up in your claim.

2. Are they an individual Public Adjuster or a part of team?

A Public Adjuster can operate individually or as part of a team. Since insurance claims have so many variables, it’s ideal to have a Public Adjuster who has a team they work with. They will be able to combine their experience and knowledge to get you the best settlement outcome. If you choose to work with a Public Adjuster who operates on their own, you should find out if they have prior experience working with a team where they’ve had the opportunity to gain some knowledge of the various scenarios that can arise with a claim.

3. Who will be working on my claim?

Whether you are working with an individual Public Adjuster or with a Public Adjusting Firm, it’s good to know who is working on your claim and who your point of contact should be. Within a firm, there is a team who works together throughout your claim whereas, an individual Public Adjuster will likely be the only person working on your claim unless they hire third parties to do their estimating. Be sure to know who your best point of contact is so that if you have any questions or emergent situations during your claim, you can reach the best person to assist most efficiently.

4. Are they licensed in your state?

Just like with insurance, a Public Adjuster must be licensed with each state that they practice in. Be sure to confirm with your Public Adjuster that they are licensed to work in your state, otherwise they will not be able to properly represent you with the insurance company.

5. Do they have good reviews or references?

Good reviews and references are a must when choosing someone to help during a loss. Filing an insurance claim is stressful enough, you want someone on your side that you can trust will have your best interest in mind. The best way to ensure you have made a good choice is to see firsthand what others have to say about their experience with your adjuster.

6. Do they have experience with claims like yours?

No two insurance claims are created equally. The claims process differs with each type of loss. It’s always a good idea to find out if your Public Adjuster has experience in claims with the same type of loss that you have so that they are well versed in all documents, policies, and procedures for that particular claim’s process.

7. Can I stay involved with my claim?

Each Public Adjuster or Public Adjusting firm will have different rules for this. Some like to handle all aspects on their own and keep the communication between just the PA and the insurance, while others welcome the policyholder to be involved. There is no right or wrong here, it’s just the preference of the policyholder. It’s a good idea to find a Public Adjuster who operates whichever way is best for you.

8. Who will be the payee on my claim checks?

Claim checks are made out to anyone who holds interest in the claim /or property. So, the check will be made payable to the policyholder, the Public Adjuster, and the mortgage company, if there is one. It’s important to make sure that your mortgage payments are up to date because they will hold on to a portion of the claim check to cover any missed payments.

9. What is the cost of hiring a Public Adjuster?

This cost will vary among Public Adjusters but is typically met on a percentage basis. The percentage ranges typically from 10-30% of the claim’s settlement amount and is typically taken from the claim proceeds. This can vary depending on the state or the type of loss that you have experienced. Discuss this with your Public Adjuster before signing an agreement.

10. Am I able to terminate the agreement before my claim is finalized? What is the cost?

Terminating your agreement prior to a settlement will be dependent on each Public Adjuster’s agreement. Be sure to read over your agreement and ask any questions you may have prior to signing.

What is a Public Adjuster and Why You Should Hire One

Mon, 06 May 2024 14:35:20 GMT

A Public adjuster is there to advocate for you, the insured, to receive a fair settlement amount on your insurance claim so that you may get your home back to pre-loss condition as seamlessly as possible. Public Adjusters are licensed by the State and versed in local laws and statutes that insurance companies are required to abide by. They are able to speak with your insurance company on your behalf, unlike a general contractor, for example, who works in a separate industry. Your Public Adjuster will generally prepare necessary documents and estimates that are required by your insurance company, as well as be present for any insurance inspections. It’s important to have someone advocating for you who is knowledgeable about the damage so they can be sure to point out any missed areas of damage to the insurance adjuster.

The insurance industry is one of the only industries that have a legal ‘conflict of interest’. The policy holder pays the insurance to look out for their interests in the event that damage might occur. However, when it comes time to file a claim, the insurance now must pay the insured. As with any company, they have a budget, and they do what they can to stick with that budget. A Public Adjuster is paid on contingency, meaning they get paid only if the insurance pays out. This should give you some peace of mind knowing they’re looking out for your best interest.

In an analysis done by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, it was found that Citizens Insurance claims that had a Public Adjuster, received higher payment than those claims without a Public Adjuster. A Public Adjuster will work on your behalf, with your insurance, to ensure that you receive the best settlement outcome to which you are entitled. If you think you may have storm damage or have experienced a loss, it’s in your best interest to speak with a Public Adjuster as soon as possible. The sooner that you get the claims process in motion, the sooner you can get your home back to its pre-loss condition!