Public Adjusting

Water damage is the element for which homeowners are constantly filing claims for. It is the most common form of damage to properties that are filed. Damage to your drywall is a severe issue that can only get worse if no action is taken. Therefore, for that reason, it is imperative that you spot any signs of drywall damage as soon as possible. If you do happen to notice any of these indications, you should quickly file an insurance claim for water damage with a Miami Public adjuster at Churchill.

Here are some steps to find water damage in your drywall

Please, do not let any of these signs progress even further. Allowing an issue such as drywall water damage to escalate could cost you your chances at successfully filing a claim. The longer you take, the more power your insurance company will have over you, stating that you were negligent in not managing the issue. Watch out for:

1. Has the paint begun to peel?

The paint on your wall will begin to peel and bubble up because it can no longer stick on the surface as a result of the swelling and softness of the drywall. If the paint is peeled off, that means that timing is of an essence; water has completely soaked through.

2. Are there any stains?

The stains that will manifest themselves will appear like puddled water or look like simple water stains. Stains will start forming once the drywall has absorbed the water.

3. Is the ceiling sagging or warping?

Eventually, the drywall will cave in due to the material becoming soft. It can get as bad as the drywall falling. This becomes a hazard for anyone who is inside the home and is especially hazardous if your roof is holding an item like a fan or light.

4. Has mold developed?

Mold will start to develop if water damage is an ongoing issue. If you see mold growth, it is a serious trouble that needs sudden treatment. It is one that is often hard to get rid of and possess and health threat to anyone within the home. For that reason, our best Miami Public adjusters recommend that you contact a professional for remediation.

5. Have you noticed any musty smells?

This might want to be investigated thoroughly; determine the source of where that smell is coming from. Musty smells can suggest that water damage is present.

Get Help in Miami With Your Public Adjusting

Feeling overwhelmed and stress are natural feelings when you are faced with water damage to your property. If you want your home quickly assessed and the repairs to your home done as soon as possible, Churchill Public Adjusters in Miami are at your service.

When faced with damages to a business or property, the policyholder might have to set up a claim for damages with their insurance company, especially after a hurricane. The losses that come from major storms are well-known and have affected thousands of individuals over the past decade. In fact, hurricane Irma alone cost billions of dollars in damages to the state of Florida and other areas affected by its powerful winds and abundance of rainfall. Before feeling stuck and in frustration with their insurance company, they should know that they have the option of seeking help from a skillful public adjuster in Miami if the homeowner faces issues with their insurance company or just want some clarification on some material they may not comprehend within their own policy. In addition, due to the various subject matters within one policy like deductibles, limitations, and exclusion, acquiring their help is highly advisable.

Hurricane Public adjusters are involved in your insurance claims when you are not satisfied with the monetary compensation that you want or need through the hurricane claim, or it could even just be if you don’t understand your policy with regards to the legal jargon compromised in the hurricane policy.  They are there for you even if it’s a small or big issue that you are currently going through. Sometimes, they will reach out to you especially after a natural disaster, but it is advised that you should conduct your own research and find the best public adjuster for you depending on your needs.

What to Look for in a Public Adjuster for Hurricanes

1. An essential aspect is knowing that the public adjuster that you select has an active license. Like that, not only do you know that they are legitimate, but you are also free of doubt. You can find out whether their current license is active through the website of Department of Insurance. If unable to find it there, you could always ask the public adjuster to show you proof that it is active. If they do have a valid one, they will not hesitate in demonstrating it to you.
2. This shows that they are hardworking and are involved with other organizations that can help them be better public adjusters. Those who are involved and deligent are the ones who will do everything they can to grow in their field and assist you better during your claim.
3. REVIEWING POLICY. A reputable public adjuster will sit you down and look thoroughly through your policy before making decisions and promises to settle your claims. It is important to take notice of this because you don’t want to be hiring an adjuster who gives you false hope and strings you along.
4. NECESSARY FEES. In various states, the disclosure of a public adjusters’ fees is recommended to be detailed within the contract. Now, if a state is required to disclose this information, then they are not allowed to charge more than 10% of the total amount of the claim. Find out which one applies to your state.
5. WEBSITE INVESTIGATION. Another good indicator for finding a top-notch public adjuster is to look at their You get the sense of who they are, what kind of claims they deal with and visit their reviews section. The reviews section helps you determine the kind of business and person they are. You want to have a public adjuster that is reputable, knowledgeable, well respected, and that values your time. For this reason, looking through their website can provide you an idea with the type of person they are.
6. THIRD-PARTY EXPERIENCE. If you know someone who has had their fair share hiring a public adjuster, speak to them. Talking to them may help you decide on choosing the right and best public adjuster. In fact, the experiences they had with them could come to your attention if they refer you to their public adjuster.
7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. It is crucial to asks questions when you believe you found the perfect public adjuster for you. Some of those questions could be: “how long you have been a public adjuster?” or “what are your experiences in the type of claim that I have?”

Wanting the best possible results and obtaining an experienced public adjuster that knows their stuff could prove difficult. The road to finding the best public adjuster in Miami is taking into account all of the information that has been mentioned previously. Also, there are certain websites where one can learn of all the details of a public adjuster, such as the qualifications that they must have according to the AA Florida Public Adjuster Agency.

Top Three Reasons Why You Should Hire One!

Despite the need for a public adjuster, many individuals may be hesitant about hiring one because people are afraid of what they do not know. The majority of people are knowledgeable about an attorney, but not many know about public adjusters. But there some specific things that make a public adjuster highly desirable for the handling of hurricane insurance claim. These are three assets that a present with public adjusters:

1. The Insurance claim will be maximized with the assistance of a public adjuster: The insurance company always wants to have their own interests satisfied, not yours. For that reason, they will bring adjusters that work for them, and in that, these adjusters will do everything possible to benefit their employer, the insurance company. These individuals will “assess” “all” your damages and provide this information to the insurance company, where they then will decide how much they are going to offer you. Naturally, because this adjuster works for them, the number they provide them will not be the true amount that you deserve. They will always offer less than what you merit. Because money is the big factor for any claim, a public adjuster can ensure that their clients will not get low-balled by their company providing them the coverage that they have.
2. Until You Have Been Provided with a Settlement amount, we don’t get paid: The way public adjusters work is through a contingency fee. This suggests that if you do not receive any money from the claim, they will not get paid anything. This provides public adjuster with motivation to do the best they can to win you a fair settlement amount. In other words, a public adjuster will have both of your interests in mind.
3. The Burden of the claim comes right off! Grief, stress, and frustration can set in after enduring damages to your Miami home or business. In addition, the insurance companies may be giving you a hard time and have you thinking that they did not keep the promises that your policy was supposed to provide. At Churchill public adjusters, we lift all that burden from you and allow you to use your time to focus on recuperating, both mentally and by repairing your home.

If these benefits mentioned above do not incline an individual to select a Miami public adjuster, then I do not know what will. You get paid more money, they do not charge fees until you have won, and you are stress-free during the whole process! What more can you ask for?

Damages Caused by Hurricanes to Life and Property

People need to understand the seriousness that is tied with the aftermath of major storms like hurricanes. Property damage and loss of life are exponential. Thousands of people are left without power, while thousands more do not have a house to come back to. It is crucial that policyholders and studied about their policies and contact experienced hurricane public adjusters in Miami at the time of need. These are some shocking damages that have been caused through various hurricanes in Miami throughout the years:

• The gusts winds of hurricane Harvey were more than 100 mph and caused extensive damage
• Regardless of hurricane Bertha being 1,000 miles away from the shore, it resulted in really rough rip currents that required rescues for over a 1-week period in Maryland and resulted in the death of three people
• Irma was the cause of property damage amounting to 65 billion dollars
• Houston, Texas was flooded with over 4 feet of water as a direct result of Hurricane Harvey
• Just a cubic-yard of water amounts to 1,700 pounds

This is an image with the types of damages that can be caused by hurricanes and their category.

*Image provided by Business Insider*

US. Hurricane Strikes by Decade

Number of hurricanes by Saffir-Simpson Category to strike the mainland U.S. each decade.

The above figure is provided by the National Hurricane Center

I’m sure the above numbers and statistical charts have shocked many and brought a reality check to some. Do not make yourself another statistics as a result of a hurricane. Not only do you get the wind damage, but you also get flooding, storm surge, tornadoes, and even rip tides as a result of a hurricane formation. These are issues to keep in mind before facing a hurricane. Prepare yourself, keep your family and yourself safe.

Choose the Best Public Adjuster in Miami

Choosing the best public adjuster in Miami could be difficult. There are many elements involved with choosing the right one, but if faced with a hurricane claim, needing one is a must. This article was formulated with the idea to bring people a sense of hope and understanding of what a public adjuster for hurricanes could provide them with. Also, it was intended to bring people a reality check that hurricanes are serious. One requires protection and a qualified hurricane public adjuster to handle their claim.  At Churchill, we hope that we have provided enough information and insight to help you choose the right Miami public adjuster for you. Feel free to contact us at any time. We may be the indicated public adjusters for you.

References:

• https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/agents/licensure/
• https://bestpublicadjusters.com/public-adjusters-know-the-facts/
• https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/hazards.php
• http://www.businessinsider.com/what-do-hurricane-categories-mean-irma-harvey-sandy-damage-saffir-simpson-2017-9#thesaffir-simpson-hurricane-scale-which-does-not-include-lower-level-tropical-storms-or-tropical-depressionsis-based-solely-on-maximum-sustained-wind-1
• https://weather.com/safety/hurricane/news/hurricane-damages-effects-20120330

The fact that many individuals are not aware of is that during a natural disaster like a hurricane, the element that produces the most amount of damage is actually the water that comes from such storm, not the wind power, or another issue. Water is the element that takes the most lives and initiates the most property damage, and floods are known to be disastrous. A homeowner experiencing a flood is the worst possible scenario that they can encounter after a hurricane, especially in Miami, being that we are just one-meter above sea level. For this matter, relief and quick assessment of the damages could be attained if the homeowner has purchased flood insurance, which is highly recommended in states like Florida, where flood occurrences could happen at any given moment. If a hurricane were to make landfall in Florida, to have a peace of mind, homeowners should purchase the separate coverage for floods because it is not included within their normal policy coverage.

After having been through a flood, as a homeowner, multiple things should be done. Desperation and sense of fear may set in, but our skilled public adjusters in Miami never recommend a homeowner to let that fear set in. These professional public adjusters know what they must do, and how they can use their knowledge to enhance the benefits that the policyholder will receive through the claims process. We recommend that each homeowner that experiences flood damage perform a variety of things. Listed below will be some relevant actions that each homeowner must perform following a natural disaster that resulted in the flooding on their home.

What You Need to Do If Your Home Is Flooded

These are the steps that have been noted by various public adjusters that a homeowner should abide by. The more specific things are assessed, the more compensation and least amount of hassle a homeowner who is claiming flood insurance will go through:

• The Initial Assessment of Damages of Flooding When a home or apartment is flooded, the first thing that must be done is too sure there are no safety concerns. Things like down power lines, septic leaks, and other hazards may need cleaning beyond the average person’s scope. Once the area is deemed safe, turn off the water lines. Disconnect all electrical appliances to make sure there is no risk of electrocution. The utility companies must be notified if there are an electric, water, gas or sewage line problems. Having to pay for an insurance policy or claim should not come from the renters. The landlord should have adequate coverage. However, the policy usually does not cover the tenants’ personal belongings. A renter’s policy will include them in the event of a burst pipe but not an act of nature.
• Get Proof of The Damages Get lots of photographs before any cleanup begins. All flooded areas must be documented, and this evidence is used to support the insurance claim. The public adjuster will want to see these pictures and other documentation of the incident. During a flood, the water damage is categorized as clean, gray, or black. Clean water is nothing more than a nuisance, but it does not present any health risks. Gray water comes from sinks, showers, dishwashers, but does not contain fecal matter. Blackwater is the most dangerous as it includes sewage.
• Cleaning Up the Mess Once the damages have been assessed, a decision must be made on whether to clean up the mess or call in professionals. First, open all the windows to help the air circulate. The excess water must be removed, so it does not cause mold and swelling on drywall or floorboards. A shop vac or water pump can quickly remove the mess. Anything that was contaminated with sewage must be thrown away. Carpets and furniture should be cleaned and sanitized if it can be salvaged. Diluted bleach is the best thing to disinfect after a flood. Be on the lookout for any damaged that were missed during the original assessment. The electric breaker box should be turned off and not turned back on until it has been cleared by a professional. Gas lines should be inspected before used too. When handling water that is contaminated, make sure that you use gloves, masks, and other protective gear.

Things Not Covered with Flood Insurance

Unless flooding happens as the result of a broken pipe or another covered peril, there will not be any coverage of a typical insurance policy. A separate policy is required to ensure the Miami home is adequately covered. There are two types of flood policies one that includes the house and another that covers personal belongings. A standard homeowner’s flood policy covers the structure, electrical, sewage, appliances, carpet, and other structural things. A personal affect insurance coverage is for clothing, furniture, area rugs, window AC units, microwave ovens, and the washer and dryer.

There are also dollar amounts and limits on each insurance. It is always best to have adequate coverage to protect all the things that make a house a home. Floods can happen at any time in Florida, and the last thing a person wants is to be caught with water a foot high and have no insurance coverage to cover the cost that will come from a flood. Learning of the specific, deductibles, and limits within each policy are crucial before entering hurricane season, which we are already in.

Florida’s Facts and Numbers on Flood Insurance

Due to being amongst the most flooded state every year, those who are the most covered for floods live in Florida, for a good reason. A fact that can support that is that south Florida is only one meter above sea level, meaning that any bit of rain that occurs will mostly cause areas to flood. Beneath will be listed some shocking numbers and facts regarding Florida insurances for floods:

• Florida had 3310 flood claims in the year 2016; total claim payments was 17.2 million
• Florida had 129,597 active flood policies in 2016
• $250,000 is the max coverage provided through NFIP for structural damage
• Hurricane Katrina was the most significant hurricane that caused extensive flooding damage

Florida’s Insurance Policies by County for the year 2017 and beyond

Below is a chart representing the flood insurance policies in 2017 for each county in Florida. As you can tell, Florida is amongst the highest.

Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency

The county with the most active flood insurance policyholders is in Miami-Dade, as one can notice from the above chart.  One can assume that due to the numbers, flooding must occur regularly in this county, for that reason, homeowners need to take flood insurance coverage seriously. Don’t become a homeowner that has to pay out-of-pocket for damages done by flooding because you failed to purchase the additional coverage. Our public adjusters want to assist you during this time of need.

What Churchill Public Adjusters Can Offer You

Living in Florida comes with its pros and cons, just like any other place, and being susceptible to floods is one of those downfalls. At our office, we offer our clients a sense of relief knowing that we fight for them. We do not rest until their flooded homes have been compensated for. We understand that the loss of an entire home could leave long-lasting effects on homeowners and that the amount of money needed to repair a home could be too much for a policyholder, and because of that, our expert Miami public adjusters utilize all of their experience to ensure that each client that enters our office is well-taken care of that that their homes a repaired in a swiftly manner. Don’t worry about those insurance companies; we handle them!

References:

• https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-flood-insurance
• https://www.fema.gov/

Public Adjuster VS. Attorneys

Before one can comprehend the various disparities between a public adjuster and a lawyer, one must understand the job functions that are performed by a public adjuster and how they help their clients in ways that an attorney may not be able to. When an individual is faced with property loss or property damage due to several reasons such as natural disasters, and even structural damage of their property, they might spend an enormous part of their time arguing with them insurance companies to be compensated for all the losses that they sustained, and that could be quite frustrating. At the end of the day, insurance companies do not want to pay them customers the maximum amount that they deserve for their losses; they try to avoid it at all cost; that is where a public adjuster steps in.

Public Adjusters VS. Company Insurance Adjusters

A public adjuster is an expert with insurance policies; they are professionals who do not work for the insurance companies, they work for the policyholders.  They know the language and details related to insurance policies and are quite knowledgeable in the field of construction and other related areas. They evaluate the property loss of their clients by using software that is specially made for their clients benefit by estimating the correct amount of property loss for the policyholder, logging initial and additional claims, and submitting them on behalf of the policyholder. In addition, public adjusters not only help businesses or individuals file a claim, but they also assist these individuals when their own insurance companies do not offer them the adequate amount of compensation for their damages. In other words, they fight for their client’s rights and are their voice against these lousy insurance companies that will stop at nothing to give their policyholders the least amount of money possible.

Why Choose a Public Adjuster?

Many individuals may be wondering to themselves: “why should I choose a public adjuster if I have my attorney?” Well, while to most it is a simple answer, others may not fully comprehend the scope enticed by these two professionals. If a victim of property damage or loss would want to attain the compensation that they deserve, then they are going to want to contact a skilled public adjuster. Unlike an attorney, a public adjuster does not steer from cases that involve detailed administrative work, of which property loss/damage cases are known to be. Only when an insurance company no longer acts in good faith or a wrongful denial is present will a lawyer take on a property damage case. An attorney will not decide to take on a property damage claim only because a low amount of compensation was offered by the company or due to the payment fee structure.To make things short, an attorney will only step in when they see it as an advantage for themselves, not when the policyholder needs them the most as a public adjuster would. Below are some key points of a public adjuster vs. an attorney:

• A public adjuster will perform the case with the same or better results as would a lawyer for less money
• No fees are incurred unless the settlement has been won; nothing is paid-out-of-pocket
• No hourly rate is charged in addition to the percentage of the settlement
• All the “dirty work” will be done for their clients due to their extensive knowledge of the matter that they hold

These above vital points are just some of the many disparities that a public adjuster and an attorney are composed of in their line of work. The best bet that someone who has endured property loss has would be to speak with a public adjuster who is ready to take the claim to the end. Just remember, a public adjuster is not an insurance companies friend, they represent their client.

What Can be Done for Their Clients?

A public adjuster can provide various services to their clients. They work hard to fulfill their clients’ needs and ensure that their client’s rights have been fought for extensively. Their primary goal is to acquire the compensation that their client merits, primarily through these difficult moments in their life; their client may have just lost everything they worked for: their home, their vehicle, their personal belongings, which is why a compassionate, yet experienced public adjuster will not rest until fairness has been reached. These are some actions and responsibilities that a client could expect to see done by a public adjuster:

• Decoding of the legal jargon linked to the claim that may not be understood by the
• policyholder
• All of the damages incurred are researched and documented to ensure accuracy
• Persistence by the public adjuster to ensure that the claim is pushed to the insurance
• company
• Value of damage sustained is determined by the adjuster
• Estimates of the losses are prepared
• The full extent of damage is made clear to the policyholder
• Negotiation of settlements
• Cases containing discrepancy could be re-opened if the public adjuster sees best
• Expedite the claim
• Achieve maximum settlement

A public adjuster wants what is best for their client. They will use their knowledge, valuable information, experience, and dedication to see the policyholder receive a fair settlement as fast as possible before having to reach litigation. The only time a policyholder should contact an attorney during a property loss claim is if the case has to reach court due to the insurance company not wanting to pay off their policyholder, other than that, a public adjuster will do just as good or even better than an insurance lawyer.

Which Types of Claims Could a Public Adjuster Take On?

Public adjusters are professionals and licensed in the area of property and related matter. They have extensive information on all types of property damages, how the damage was acquired, what can be done to gain the most out of the damages caused, and how they can make their clients lives less stressful. These are the common types of claims that public adjusters take on:

• Explosions
• Smoke and fire
• Damage from hail
• Wind and hurricane damage
• Lighting
• Mold
• Power outage
• Plumbing leaks
• Roof damage
• Hurricane Claims
• Vandalism/theft
• Flood/water damage (the most common type of claim)
• Sinkholes; and
• More

If unsure whether an individual’s damage could be taken on by a public adjuster before resorting to an attorney, do not hesitate in contacting a licensed public adjuster and consulting with them before making a final decision.

Myths That Have Been Linked to Public Adjusters

Every professional is composed of myths, stereotypes, and rumors. That is no different for a public adjuster. These are some myths that have been linked to the public adjuster that may steer someone away from seeking help in contacting a public adjuster vs. a lawyer. Some of those myths include:

1. A considerable portion of the compensation is taken by the adjuster, and nothing is done for their clients – – The truth is that there is a cap by every state with the amount of money an adjuster can take and due to the strenuous amount of administrative work, these cases take time to process and require a lot of hard work, research, and time by the public adjuster.
2. Public Adjusters are criminals – – The truth is that an extensive background and fingerprinting must be passed by a public adjuster before they can attain their license.
3. If a public adjuster is hired, the insurance company will drop the policyholder – The truth is that retaliation by the insurance company cannot occur due to the state code of ethics.
4. Insurance fraud is committed by public adjuster – The truth is that insurance companies just agree to pay the amount demanded by the adjuster; they do not commit fraud. At the end of the day, insurance companies are businesses and just want to continue receiving money without having to deal with claims.
5. Premiums will go up when a public adjuster is used – The truth is that gauging is not allowed by insurance companies due to the regulation that the state code of ethics provides.

Do Not Fear; the Public Adjusters Are Here!

The information provided above was in the efforts in assisting those who are confused as to whether to elect an attorney or a public adjuster for their property damage claim. It hopes to provide the potential client a great deal of information and sense of understanding that offers them enough evidence that the job will and can be done by a public adjuster. A public adjuster should be chosen to deal with any matter that involves property damage; they know their stuff and do not back down, even when they might not see the light at the end of the tunnel, as an attorney would. Attorneys will only take on a case when they see it suited for them. A public adjuster will help their client from the beginning to the end. Because of the abundant amount of property loss cases handled by professional public adjusters, they understand the economic, along with the sentimental value that property damage can cause an individual. There may be no words that can make the victim of such loss feel better, but the actions taken by a licensed public adjuster in Florida will prove otherwise. Remember, Florida, along with many other states are victims of flood damage on a grand scale. At our office, we can help victims and do strive to attain the most out of each claim.

References:

• https://www.valuepenguin.com/public-insurance-adjusters
• http://www.advocateclaims.com/2012/attorneys-or-public-adjuster-who-should-you-hire-why.html
• http://www.noblepagroup.com/2016/10/23/top-5-myths-public-adjusting-busted/
• http://www.noblepagroup.com/2018/03/01/insurance-claim-problems-hiring-a-public-adjuster-vs-an-attorney/