Did you know you don’t have to rely on the insurance company’s adjuster to estimate your damages and decide how much your property damage claim is worth? Many policyholders are frustrated when the insurance company doesn’t respond in a reasonable amount of time or offers a settlement that doesn’t cover all costs. If this has happened to you, it’s helpful to understand that you have other options. You can hire a Florida public adjuster to complete an initial claim or take a second look and file a new claim with the insurance company.
It’s especially important to consider a public adjuster in certain situations, such as:
The insurance company’s adjuster will review your claim and create a settlement offer for your property damage, but they will do so with the insurance company’s interests in mind. In many cases, the insurance adjuster may undervalue your claim, refuse to cover parts of the damage or recommend minor repairs when the damage dictates a total replacement. It’s no wonder that some policyholders feel their settlement is insufficient.
The public adjuster doesn’t work for your insurance carrier. Instead, they work to support your interests and will thoroughly investigate all your damages. Frequently the public adjuster’s estimate is higher than the insurance company’s because they don’t cut corners, ignore future problems, or overlook issues that may get worse.
But the support doesn’t stop there. Your public adjuster will also review your insurance policy and take charge of filing the claim with your insurance company so you can get back to your life. Because they are highly trained in insurance policy language and interpretation, the public adjuster will be able to compose a claim that has a good chance of being accepted. They are also prepared to discuss the details with your insurance adjuster and even negotiate to get you the largest settlement possible.
If you have questions about your policy or are struggling to understand the legalese (as many people do), a public adjuster is also a helpful resource. They can answer your questions, explain what clauses in your insurance policy mean, and help you understand what is and isn’t covered and why.
“Hired” is the operative word in this situation. The adjuster may be an independent contractor or work for many different clients, but for the purposes of your claim, they have been hired by the insurance company. That means they will work to reduce costs for the insurance carrier, not to protect your rights as a policyholder. For this reason, it’s still a good idea to secure the services of a public adjuster.
We can’t answer this question without knowing more about your claim. However, we can tell you that more complex claims with broader damage usually take longer than more straightforward claims. You should also understand that part of the process is up to your insurance company. We will assess your damage and file the claim as quickly as possible, and we’ll follow up with the insurance company if they don’t respond in a reasonable time frame. But we can’t control how quickly they address your claim, and sometimes they take longer than others.
Another thing to remember is that claims are often processed more slowly when the insurance company has received a high volume of claims. If your home or office was damaged in a hurricane that also affected many of your neighbors, the insurance company might be busier, and your claim could take longer to be processed.
Sometimes we spend additional time responding to requests from the insurer for additional documentation or negotiating for the total amount you need. While this may add to the time it takes to receive a payment, you’re also more likely to receive a fair amount.
It’s crucial to research any public adjuster or adjusting firm you plan to work with. Often after widespread disasters, adjusters will solicit business by going door-to-door. That’s not necessarily a problem, but we recommend learning more about the adjuster before signing a contract. If they seem pushy or want you to sign something immediately, it may be a good idea to make an excuse and say you’ll get back to them later.
Here are some areas to investigate when considering a public adjuster:
Public adjusters don’t require fees upfront but work for a percentage of the recovery they obtain from the insurance company. This percentage varies with more accomplished adjusters charging slightly higher amounts. Although your first instinct might be to choose the least expensive option, we recommend considering the impact of an adjuster’s experience and knowledge on your claim. In many cases, you may be better off with the help of a more seasoned Broward County public adjuster.
Florida limits public adjuster fees to 20 percent on recoveries made after you have signed a contract with the adjuster. In far-reaching disasters such as hurricanes, fees are limited to 10 percent if the governor has declared a state of emergency and your damage is related to this emergency.
At Pinnacle Claim Services, we’ve been in the business of helping policyholders achieve the optimal claim settlement for years. Our public adjusters are among the industry’s most experienced and knowledgeable professionals, and they’re always pleased to tell you about their training and experience working on similar cases.
We also offer free claim evaluations. You won’t pay us anything until we secure a recovery from your insurance company, and our fees are competitive. Please contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get the ideal settlement for your property damage claim.
Living in South Florida, we are no strangers to natural disasters.
LET US PERFORM A FULL REVIEW OF YOUR INSURANCE POLICY TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT COVERAGE!
Damage Inspection
Insurance Policy Review
Insurance Claim Review
When disaster strikes, it can be difficult knowing where to turn or who to ask for help. Pinnacle Claim Services’ professional team of Florida public insurance adjusters and support experts are here to assist you throughout every step of your damage claim from emergency services and mitigation through final settlement.
Some of the most common issues people experience with insurance companies after property damage has occurred and a claim has been initiated include: unreasonable delay on the part of the insurance company, inadequate training of the insurance company’s adjusters and adjusters that are “so busy” that your claim gets zero attention and does not progress towards resolution. Additionally, you may not have the appropriate policy with the right type of coverage or limits.
There is no set time period for settling a property damage claim with an insurance company and each claim is different. You could receive a check in a few days or it could be a few weeks. Also, it may take multiple rounds of negotiations and payments for you to be adequately and justly compensated for your claim.
Absolutely not. Some companies do possess better reputations than others and there are some who consistently delay the process unnecessarily. It’s important that you comply with your “duties after the loss” (duty to mitigate etc.) Call us, we can help!
Pinnacle Claim Services will request a copy of your policy, file the proper paperwork for you, put together a comprehensive estimate of damages and negotiate a fair settlement Do not become emotionally burdened. Do not be denied money for repairs you deserve. Rely on Pinnacle Claim Services to work on your behalf, keeping you informed throughout every step of the process to get every penny you deserve from the insurance companies.
Firm License # W806323
THIS IS A SOLICITATION FOR BUSINESS. IF YOU HAVE HAD A CLAIM FOR AN INSURED PROPERTY LOSS OR DAMAGE AND YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THE PAYMENT BY YOUR INSURER, YOU MAY DISREGARD THIS ADVERTISEMENT.
© Pinnacle 2024. All rights reserved.• SITEMAP