Insurance Claim Help: Homeowners Need To Keep Their Adjuster Honest!

Too many policyholders rely on their insurance company to visit their property, inspect their claim, and provide a claim settlement for their damages. This should almost NEVER HAPPEN!

I’m not insinuating that there isn’t any good, hard working, professional adjusters remaining out there. I’m also not insinuating that all the adjusters are not trustworthy, or that all adjusters are trying to cheat people. There are many professional and courteous adjusters that go above the call of duty for many policyholders. However, are we so blind an delusional to think that an adjuster can’t make mistakes, that there will never be an adjuster that misses hidden damages, or that every adjuster who works for you insurance company has multiple years of experience with the type of claim on your building? Not Very Likely!

You’re most likely one of those people who have had a second opinion before having your car fixed. Possibly you or someone you know has needed a second opinion after seeing a doctor, second opinion when buying a car, a computer, or even hiring a contractor? Most people have had more than one estimate to build a deck, replace windows, or have a ne room put on their home. I’m assuming you and most everyone you ask has answered “YES,” to all or one of these. Then why is it that policyholders allow adjusters to basically “TELL THEM,” what they will receive for their insurance claim?

Most insurance adjusters have learned how to pass an insurance claim exam and learned how to use an insurance estimating program… but have never worked on an insurance repair job. Many have never built or repaired a home, nor have they ever worked for any type of Construction Company. Chances are they will miss something needed to properly complete the repairs of your claim.

Simply put, this is what you have been paying for all this time. To be protected when you have a claim. It is YOUR money, it is YOUR insurance policy, it is YOUR property, which in turn makes it YOUR responsibility to protect yourself from mistakes or from being taken advantage of. Again, the insurance company adjuster could be 100% accurate with the final analysis and estimate numbers for your claim damages. Regardless of what you think may be true, YOU should be sure. Policyholders need to have an independent insurance appraiser or contractor provide them with a line item, detailed estimate that will ensure their adjuster was correct.

What Is A Line Item, Detailed Estimate?

Some contractors use a complete square foot price for replacing a roof or siding, however, the insurance company will usually request that the estimate be broken-down per line-item. Using an example of a roof replacement; the insurance companies need to view each process and layer of the work being preformed on the roof. They also need to view each type of material that is being used. These should all be listed separately. Here’s a detailed, line-item estimate example;

The numbers in the above example are fictitious; however, it shows the basics of a Line Item, Detailed Estimate. Each line item is broken down in detail and displays the description, quantity, unit cost, and total for each separate line item. This type of detail is needed so the insurance company can review and compare each separate line item and unit costs with their own software. Having the insurance claim estimate formatted the way the insurance companies like to see them, results in a faster settlement.

In events when their is an insurance claim dispute; by issuing a more detailed estimate provides a much smoother, less time consuming process. It’s much more difficult for your insurance company to dispute a insurance claim estimate that is presented to them in the format that they have requested.

Watch out for yourself, protect and educate yourself, and always seek insurance claim help by obtaining a second opinion. This should be the first thought on any and all insurance claim damages you happen to incur. If you fail to look out for yourself… Nobody Will?

Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Get Insurance Claim Help , by visiting http://www.insuranceclaimsgroup.com , or http://www.insuranceappraisalumpire.com