Do I have a Claim?
Policies have specific coverage’s and exclusions. Review your policy Coverage’s and Exclusions. Read the endorsements and changes to see how they apply to your claim. If you are unsure if a claim is covered under your policy, call us for free advice.
Take note that Water Damages, Pipe Breaks, washing machine overflow, Burst Water heater, Shower pan failures, Faulty drain pipes, HVAC Backup, Burst Ice maker lines and appliance leaks, etc. Many policies have exclusion similar to the following prompt reporting is necessary.
“We do not insure for loss caused directly or indirectly by: Constant or repeated seepage or leakage of water or steam, or the presence or condensation of humidity, moisture or vapor; which occurs over a period of 14 or more days”.
Reporting a Claim
*Read your Policy including all forms and Endorsements*
How is the claim is reported can have serious consequences on your claim, the speed of settlement, amount of recovery or your claim could be denied entirely. It is your responsibility to report the claim and the insurance company’s responsibility to investigate the claim you reported.
Some very important pointers
Don’t limit your claim! Perform a complete and thorough investigation of all property or have a professional investigate the damages so that your claim can properly be reported. We are continually advised that damage is confined to one room or area and our investigation finds just as much or even more damages in an adjacent room or area as no one had looked.
Be very careful in explaining the damages and your expectations; an example would be the adjuster asks, “Is there any damage to the furniture?”, your reply is: “See the damage on that table leg”. A few weeks later your receive the adjusters’ summary and it contains $50 to refinish the table’s leg. Can the table leg even be refinished?
The proper way to make claim on this table:
– Is the table part of a pair or set such as a dining set? If so, advise that the table is part of set and you are making claim for the set.
– Contact the store of purchase or a reputable furniture refinisher and see if a repair can be done. Advise the contractor of your requirements i.e. to match and restore if the entire set to its condition prior to the loss, refinishers rarely can guarantee total restoration without refinishing the entire set and may not even be able to restore in even attempting the set.
Be very careful of your wording when making claims as words can a have specific definition in accordance with the policy.
Flood, by policy definition in many insurance policies is rising ground water and not covered under an ordinary policy. We have seen many claims wrongfully denied just because the ponding occurred due to a covered loss which is covered under the policy, but the claim was reported as a flood and therefore denied.
Report the claim to your Insurance Company and/or agent. The decoration page of your policy and/or the policy itself provides information for making a claim. Some policies require claim to be made directly to the Insurance Company and not the agent. It is your job to report the claim. It is the Public Adjuster’s job to investigate the claim.
Mitigation and compliance with your duties after a loss
*Read your Policy, Your Duties After Loss
1. Comply with all of "Your duties after Loss"
2. Take the necessary action to prevent further damages. There is an obligation of mitigation under our policy.
If temporary repairs are needed, they should be completed as soon as possible. Do not make permanent repairs before an insurance adjuster inspects the loss. Make only temporary repairs necessary to protect from further damage and possible looting. General contractors are recommended for any jobs that requires three or more trades. Trades men/Specialty contractor/Handy men are not entitled to receive profit and overhead, are not licensed for multiple trades and do not offer a consumer protection as afforded by licensed general contractor.
3. Make a list of all damaged items and take pictures of everything
Many insurance policies require documentation of the age of the item, purchased price, actual cash value of the item at the time of the loss and current replacement cost value.
– Pictures/Photos of damages, pictures/photos before the loss (as many as you can)
– Make a list of all damaged items including the value of it (for the best of your knowledge)
– All receipts, invoices, checks and any expense you have occurred
How to Expedite Your Claim?
Make an appointment today Call 321-735-6428
Documentation is one of the important factors in making a quality claim. Waiting for documentation will delay the process of your claim. Having documents in hand for meeting with your Florida Public Adjuster will expedite your claim and help process your claim faster. Please prepare the necessary documents enumerated in the check list below for your Public Adjuster to pick up at your meeting (if available).
- Copy of the complete policy
- Copies of all communications between yourself and the insurance company.
- Copies of payment received from the insurance company (if any).
- Copy of the Adjuster’s Summary, any engineering reports etc.
- Copies of any communications, contracts, invoices, checks, receipts from contractors or anyone else that performed any repairs or temporary repairs to premises.
- Any appraisals or inspections done at time of purchase or refinancing.
- Inventory of personal property damaged and any receipts if available.
- Digital files of Pictures, pictures of damaged property before (if available) and after the loss. Your Public Adjuster will have thumb drive/USB Flash drive. You can either copy from your computer or provide a CD. If digital files are not available, you can provide copies of pictures.
- Have all damaged property accessible for inspection.
Residential
- If all or part of your home was damaged and you had to make other accommodations; receipts for lodging, leases, additional expenses incurred such as eating out etc.
Commercial
- If all or part of your home was damaged and you had to make other accommodations; receipts for lodging, leases, additional expenses incurred such as eating out etc.
- Have your operations been interrupted?
- Copies of Loss of Income documents such as cancellation of product delivery, rent roll, proof of income before and after the loss, postponed contracts, etc.
2. Have you had your personnel work on clean up or assist in any temporary repairs?
- Any payroll records, hours, statements to reflect loss for personnel work on clean up, repair or expended time as result of your damage.
3. Did you purchase any additional equipment and materials?
- Receipts/Invoices
4. Did you have to relocate as result of damages?
- Supporting documents such as Leases, contracts, checks, etc.
5. Did you suffer loss of income/additional labor expenses as result of damages?
- Provide documentation, copies of invoices, checks, etc. for any of these losses.
6. All documents related to Business interruption and extra expense claims if to be presented.
Get what you are OWED and not what the insurance company wants to PAY.
INSURANCE PAYS...
WE ASSURE IT!!!
Talk to us
Have any questions? How we can help you? Call Us Today 321-735-6428
Disclaimer: Insurance Assurance Inc. has prepared this website for informational purposes only. It shall not constitute legal advice and should not be construed as such. The information on the website is provided only as a general information that may or may not reflect the most current developments. Your specific needs are unique, and will depend on facts and circumstances that may not be addressed in this website.