Public Adjusting

Deciding when to hire a public adjuster or lawyer could be a confusing part of a claim. Yes, generally speaking, public adjusters deal with claims that are complex and large, which is what is usually happens after a hurricane has passed through your home.

The devastation that comes after a hurricane would be considered complex and large because the damages are of an abundance. So, you ask, when should you use one? You could use one whenever you suffer a loss to your home, but most people use them when they have endured enormous losses.

Because filing insurance claims for hurricanes is challenging in itself, our Miami Public adjusters suggest that you seek a public adjuster for your hurricane insurance claim; it is not one that should be handled alone.

Questions That May Arise

The reason that you should hire a public adjuster for a hurricane insurance claim is because many questions will arise that you will not be able to answer. These are the typical questions that will come after enduring damages from a major storm:

• If my home was flooded from rain coming in through my roof which policy does it fall under?
• My roof was ripped off and my home got flooded, do I use windstorm or flood insurance?
• What percentage of the actual damage came from the roof vs. the flood?

These are just some simple questions that often come to the picture and make it difficult because you must deal with various policies. It may bring confusion because there are specific details for each and requirements that each must met.

Don’t Hesitate

If you don’t know when is the best time to get a public adjuster, you could always call our firm and speak with our knowledgeable public adjusters in Miami to give you their honest feedback and best advice in regards to your case. It is always best to ask before assuming anything because as noted above, any case can bring a lot of confusion, especially if you are not studied in the matter.

Understanding the difference between a public adjuster and an independent adjuster is a subject that needs to be addressed. Many do not comprehend their disparities and what makes them each unique to a claim. There are two types of adjusters: public and independent.

These two professionals have many differences tied with their job and employer. Below will be listed the various differences that are associated with the two that can better help you determine and understand why a public adjuster would be most suitable for an insurance claim for property.

Disparities: Public Vs. Independent

A myth that many people think is that independent and public adjusters are the same individuals. That is not true, they have a very essential differences. While both work for the same goal: to manage an insurance claim, an independent adjuster is employed by an insurance company, despite the word “independent” in their professional name.

While they represent you and your insurance company, their main goal is to fight for the rights of the insurance company, not yours. Whether an insurance company decides to hire an independent adjuster or use one of their company adjusters, both their goals are the same: they don’t want to give you the upper-hand.

On the other hand, a public adjuster is your friend. They work to see your claim have a successful outcome. They take their time to gather evidence and review your policy with extreme detail to ensure that they have a solid case against the insurance company.

You might consider using a public adjuster if you believe that inadequacy is being provided by the company adjuster or if they have offered you a settlement that is not what your damage is worth. Remember, you pay for a policy every month for damages that may happen, and when they do happen, you deserve to be compensated.

Public adjusters in our Miami, FL Firm will provide you with the following:

• Expert knowledge
• Network of contacts
• Deciphering of your policy
• Aggressive negotiations
• Excellent communication
• Dedication/ Willingness to succeed
• Compassion
• Quick payment; and
• More

Get in touch with our Public Adjusters today. We work hard to see you successful. We want and watch out for your interests. Don’t be deceived by the quick offer that most insurance companies will give you.

In Florida, as an insured policyholder, you have three years to notify your insurance company after a hurricane has made landfall. Within that time-frame, reopened claims and supplemental claims also apply.

The reason for supplemental claims is that problems with your home may not present themselves at the time that you have filed your initial claim.

Damages may show themselves sometime after a hurricane has passed. Knowing all of the requirements and time-frames associated with a claim for a hurricane is important, especially if you are currently living in the state of Florida and to add-on the fact that we are in active hurricane season.

Come to learn of all the specifications, requirements, and legal aspects tied with filing a claim at Churchill Miami Public adjusting professionals.

Florida Statute Concerning Time Period to File Claim

Understanding the Florida statutes for insurance policies is not easy. But, as you continue reading, we will provide you with the exact wording provided by the Florida statue concerning the time frame you have to file a claim for losses by a hurricane:

Florida Statutes 627.70132:

“Notice of windstorm or hurricane claim.—A claim, supplemental claim, or reopened claim under an insurance policy that provides property insurance, as defined in s.624.604, for loss or damage caused by the peril of windstorm or hurricane is barred unless notice of the claim, supplemental claim, or reopened claim was given to the insurer in accordance with the terms of the policy within 3 years after the hurricane first made landfall or the windstorm caused the covered damage.

For purposes of this section, the term “supplemental claim” or “reopened claim” means any additional claim for recovery from the insurer for losses from the same hurricane or windstorm which the insurer has previously adjusted pursuant to the initial claim. This section does not affect any applicable limitation on civil actions provided in s. 95.11 for claims, supplemental claims, or reopened claims timely filed under this section.”

We will help you decipher this very relevant Florida statute and determine whether you have a claim that falls under this statute. Don’t think that if your roof has suddenly demonstrated damages just two years after a hurricane hit your home that it is too late to file. Three years is the time that is allotted to you. Take advantage of that fact and call one of our great Miami public adjusters.

If your home was damaged, you want your insurance company to take quick action, right? Yet, that does not always apply.  As a policyholder, you deserve an immediate response and efficient work done by your insurance carrier, but they often deny and even delay claims. Even though you might swiftly and efficiently file your claim, your provider fails to meet their end of the process. They string you along and place you in the vicious cycle of moving one step forward and two steps backward. Stress, frustration, and even anger can set in being in that type of situation, which are emotions the professional Public adjuster in Miami are all too familiar with. Along with knowing how to deal with the emotions of our clients, we continue to manage with diligence claims on behalf of those insured. There will always be premature signs that can indicate a problem in the future with your insurance company of which, you should keep note of.

Indicators of Potential Problem

Having been through such a phenomenon of possibly losing your home is already an issue you have had to face. Now, learning that the claim you gracefully filed has become another problem is excruciating. These are three indicators that may suggest a possible complication:

1. Are they having you wait for information?

If there was a major disaster, your claim being delayed is comprehensible. Oftentimes, though, companies will intentionally delay your claim, but you must know that laws were created to prevent that. There are regulations that state that insurance companies in Florida have two weeks (14 days) to get in touch with you after your initial claim has been filed. After a proof of claim has been submitted, they have ten days to respond. Furthermore, a 90-day period has been given for the companies to either provide the policyholder with a settlement or deny their claim. If you see that these times frames are not being followed, then seek out an expert Public Adjuster in Miami.

2. Are they requesting that you record a statement?

Although some insurance companies do this, asking you to make a recorded statement is highly unusual. In fact, typically a denial will proceed if they do ask this of you. Just one simple error that you say during the recording can be the cost for them not to pay your claim.

3. Is your claim being investigated?

If you request an update on your claim, usually the answer given is “it is being processed,” but if they tell you that it is under investigation, then there may be an issue. This means that your claim will be delayed even further because they might believe that your damage was caused by something other than what you are claiming for.

These are some important questions that we would like you to consider when you have filed your claim. Pay attention to the dates and requests that your insurance company is asking of you. If you notice any little discrepancies, then maybe there is an issue with your claim. Expert Public Adjusters in Miami are awaiting your call.