Insurance Claims Help: OH Homeowners Have Way Too Much Trust In Their Adjuster!
Many policyholders will rely on the adjuster sent by their insurance company to arrive for a meeting, inspect the claim damages, and provide an estimate for what they believe is a fair settlement of the claim. This is a mistake of enormous proportion that 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!
Have you ever had a second opinion before having your car fixed? Have you or anyone you know ever needed a second opinion after seeing a doctor? A second opinion when shopping for a car, computer, or hiring a contractor? Have you ever had more than one estimate to build or repair something for your home? I'm assuming you've answered yes to at least one of these questions, if not more. Then why do policyholders allow insurance company adjusters to TELL THEM what they will pay on their insurance claim?
The majority of insurance adjusters have attended classes of how to pass an insurance policy exam and have attended classes of how to use insurance estimating programs. However, they have never worked for an insurance repair contracting company, have never repaired or built a home, nor have they ever fixed any type of damage at their own home. If you have such an adjuster visit your damaged property, chances are, they will accidentally miss items needed to properly repair your damages.
It's YOUR property, it's YOUR insurance policy, and it's YOUR responsibility to protect yourself. Again, your adjuster may be dead on with his/her analysis. Regardless, you should have a contractor or insurance claim professional provide you with a detailed, line item insurance claim estimate to compare to.
What Is A Detailed, Line-Item Estimate?
Many contractors may use a square foot cost to replace a roof or siding on a home. However, insurance company usually require an estimate that has been detailed by separating each line-item individually. By using the replacement of a damaged roof in our example; the insurance companies will require that each process and layer of the repairs be listed. They need to view each type of material being used to ensure the insured is not upgrading what they had. Surely the insured can upgrade, but, the insured pays for the difference between what they had and what they are upgrading to. That's the reason they wish to see all items listed separately. Here's an example of a detailed, line-item insurance repair estimate;
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 the event of an insurance claim dispute a more detailed estimate allows for a smoother, less time consuming process. It's difficult for the insurance companies to dispute insurance claim estimates that are presented to them in the exact format that they are requesting.
Protect yourself, educate yourself, and watch out for yourself by simply obtaining another opinion on any or all insurance claim damages you may incur. If you're not willing to obtain insurance claim help and you're not willing to look out for yourself... Then Who Will? - 23211
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!
Have you ever had a second opinion before having your car fixed? Have you or anyone you know ever needed a second opinion after seeing a doctor? A second opinion when shopping for a car, computer, or hiring a contractor? Have you ever had more than one estimate to build or repair something for your home? I'm assuming you've answered yes to at least one of these questions, if not more. Then why do policyholders allow insurance company adjusters to TELL THEM what they will pay on their insurance claim?
The majority of insurance adjusters have attended classes of how to pass an insurance policy exam and have attended classes of how to use insurance estimating programs. However, they have never worked for an insurance repair contracting company, have never repaired or built a home, nor have they ever fixed any type of damage at their own home. If you have such an adjuster visit your damaged property, chances are, they will accidentally miss items needed to properly repair your damages.
It's YOUR property, it's YOUR insurance policy, and it's YOUR responsibility to protect yourself. Again, your adjuster may be dead on with his/her analysis. Regardless, you should have a contractor or insurance claim professional provide you with a detailed, line item insurance claim estimate to compare to.
What Is A Detailed, Line-Item Estimate?
Many contractors may use a square foot cost to replace a roof or siding on a home. However, insurance company usually require an estimate that has been detailed by separating each line-item individually. By using the replacement of a damaged roof in our example; the insurance companies will require that each process and layer of the repairs be listed. They need to view each type of material being used to ensure the insured is not upgrading what they had. Surely the insured can upgrade, but, the insured pays for the difference between what they had and what they are upgrading to. That's the reason they wish to see all items listed separately. Here's an example of a detailed, line-item insurance repair estimate;
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 the event of an insurance claim dispute a more detailed estimate allows for a smoother, less time consuming process. It's difficult for the insurance companies to dispute insurance claim estimates that are presented to them in the exact format that they are requesting.
Protect yourself, educate yourself, and watch out for yourself by simply obtaining another opinion on any or all insurance claim damages you may incur. If you're not willing to obtain insurance claim help and you're not willing to look out for yourself... Then Who Will? - 23211
About the Author:
Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will review your insurance claim FREE - Ph: 919-669-9111 . Get Insurance Claim Help , by visiting http://www.insuranceclaimsgroup.com , or Fire Insurance Claims Help
posted by X - Men @ 5:34 AM
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