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If you have had a fire in your home, and you have damages you need to repair, then you are likely to have some questions about the procedure. One of the biggest questions you may need answered is “how do I file a fire insurance claim”.

You need to begin by taking a really close look at your policy and find out what coverage you have and how much coverage you have on your policy. It is important to have a complete understanding of what type of coverage you have purchased and the procedure necessary for filing a claim before you actually start. If you do not follow correct procedure then your claim may be lengthened, delayed, or rejected. It is not a simple process to file a fire insurance claim. There is so much to do that it is possible to miss something important if you are not careful. Also, there may be more damage than you can see on the surface, so you need to consult an expert.

The first thing that will happen when you submit a claim for fire insurance is that the company will send out a loss adjuster. This is an employee of the insurance company, not an independent party. Their main objective is to save the insurance company they work for money. You need to understand their role and expect they will be looking for the cheapest fix.

The things you need to find out right away when you file a fire insurance claim are; will they cover you staying in a hotel? If not, you will need to find a place to stay. Most decent insurance policies will take care of this for you, or at least have it available. As your home is being repaired, you will need to stay elsewhere, for what could be a long period of time.

It is typical for the insurance company to have a list of contractors that they prefer to use. They will try to recommend you to use these people, as it will save the insurance company money. Depending upon your policy, you may or may not be required to use those contractors, that is something you need to check out on your individual policy.

Some people who find themselves in this predicament choose to hire an independent fire insurance appraiser to help them. The independent appraiser is a lot like the claims adjuster, but instead of working for the insurance company, the independent appraiser works for you. They are working to find the best scenario and estimates for you, not the insurance company. They will complete the many steps of the fire insurance claim on your behalf.

Independent insurance appraisers can help you decide what needs to be done first, who to hire as contractors, and take care of all of the loose ends. They will make sure everything gets done as well as dealing with phone calls, meetings, communicate with contractors, surveyors, loss adjusters, and your insurance company to be certain you have received all proceeds available from your fire damage.

Filing a claim for fire insurance is not a simple task by any means, but if you find yourself in that situation having someone on your side to help you is the way to go.

(C) 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 as part of our FREE Insurance Claim Consulting Service – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Insurance Claim Help and questions about Independent Appraiser Services is available by visiting Insurance Claims Group | Insurance Appraisal Services | Insurance Appraisal Process | Insurance Appraisal Umpire | Fire Insurance Claims

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! Insurance advice rule number one is… Don’t Let It 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 your insurance company has multiple years of experience with the type of claim on your building? Not Very Likely!

Have you ever obtained a second opinion before having a mechanic do major work on your car? Have you, or anyone you know, ever secured a second opinion before having surgery? A second opinion when hiring a landscaper, when buying a computer, or when hiring a contractor? Have you ever obtained more than one estimate to have work done on your home? Excuse me for assuming that you’ve answered a very loud and proud “YES,” to more than one of these questions, or all for that matter. Then why will policyholders (homeowners and business owners) allow the insurance company’s adjuster to out-right “TELL THEM,” what the damages of their insurance claim will cost without looking into themselves?

Many insurance company adjusters have attended classes to pass an insurance exam and have also attended classes to use insurance claim estimating programs. However, these same adjusters have never worked for a construction company, nor have they ever repaired or built a home, and many have never repaired any damages at their own home. If you end up with this type of adjuster to assess your insurance claim damages, chances are, they will likely miss items, materials, or construction procedures that are required to properly repair the damages.

Simply put, this is what you have been paying for all this time. To be protected when you have a claim. No one would require insurance advice from a professional to realize that this 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 Qualifies As A Line-Item, Detailed Insurance Claim Estimate?

Many contractors may use a square foot cost to replace a roof or siding on a home. However, insurance companies 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;

Although the numbers in the example are fictitious; it shows the basics of a Line Item, Detailed, Insurance Damage Estimate. Each of the line-items has been separated in complete detail. The estimate also breaks-down the descriptions, quantities, unit costs, and totals for each item as well. This type of detail is required and needed, so the insurance companies can compare and review each of the items unit costs with their adjusters numbers. Submitting the claim estimate in the format requested by your insurance company will result in a much faster settlement of the claim.

In events when their is an insurance 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 an insurance claim estimate that is presented in the exact format that they have requested.

Watch out for yourself, protect and educate yourself, and always seek insurance advice 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?

(C) 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 as part of our FREE Insurance Claim Consulting Service – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Insurance Claim Help and questions about Independent Appraiser Services is available by visiting Insurance Claims Group | Insurance Appraisal Services | Insurance Appraisal Process | Insurance Appraisal Umpire | Fire Insurance Claims

You pay your insurance premiums 12 months a year, yet peak hurricane season is June 1st-November 30th. It makes you wonder, what are you getting for paying those insurance premiums? Was your hurricane damage claim denied? We are here for you, we work as independent insurance appraisers and will work with you to handle your hurricane damage dispute.

If you do have a written copy of your hurricane insurance policy on hand, it is very difficult to read and understand. There is a thick stack of pages with small font, and it comes with a huge surprise in the event you have to use it. Insurance companies are a profitable business. Home and business are forced by the government to pay these companies to protect our own property.

So, if you pay your monthly fee, then you are protected if another Hurricane Katrina comes in and destroys your home? Not necessarily. Your insurance company could cancel your hurricane policy for the following reasons: If you miss a payment, if you have multiple claims in one year, or if you don’t follow rules built into your policy.

You thought that purchasing this expensive insurance should guarantee you financial reimbursement in the event of a natural disaster, but the sad truth is that it does not.

The insurance company’s job is to sell their policies, usually through a local agent, who should sell the client the appropriate policies to protect their business and home assets. Do they do this to protect us? No, it is to protect the lending companies who give us those loans and their investment in our property.

Technically, you do not own a building or lot until you pay the bank all of the money you owe them. Most people realize this fact, which is fair. The bank paid for the home or business, and is making money themselves. The insurance company forces you to protect the bank’s investments.

The question that remains is, who is protecting us, the homeowners, when something happens? Do the insurance agents call us to make sure that we are familiar with all of the clauses in our policies? Your agent should give you the power to educate yourself.

The reason sometimes this doesn’t always happen is because your agent has a large, diverse, spread out client base, and their ultimate goal is to make money as well. With that said, most insurance agents, although employed for financial gain, do care about the clients, you do see some positive news stories about agents who go above and beyond in the face of destruction. That, unfortunately, is the exception to the rule.

When your home is damaged in any way, you must file a claim to get it paid for by the insurance company. It is up to you to prove that you have suffered damage. You will need to help their representative (usually called an adjuster) and to supply pictures and documentations to prove that you have suffered financially (or will)

For example, you may need receipts or proof of cost for items on your claim, and you may be required to have pictures. Without those, it will be hard to prove your loss.

Ultimately, the insurance company make a guarantee to repair or refund you the amount that you are actually out, so you can be exactly the same as you were before the disaster, not behind or ahead financially.

Before something like this happens, you need to have all of your personal belongings listed, photos taken, receipts gathered, etc. There are on line companies where you can back this information up. Take pictures of everything, you never know when you may need them. Go through every room of your home or business and at least take a picture of every room. Take individual pictures of anything with high monetary or sentimental value.

When the adjuster comes to your home or business, they base their estimates on a variety of factors including age, condition, and value of property prior to event.

It’s important to remember you may not get back what you pay for an item, if you paid $2,000 three years ago, there will be a depreciation factor weighted into the value. Again, if you have a receipt you may be able to get more back.

Another option is hiring a company to do digital photo documentation of all of your belongings, you can find these companies online if you don’t want to do it yourself.

No matter how you document or save your receipts, it will make this process much smoother if you have them in a safe place.

Your insurance company will benefit, as well as yourself, because it is less work for all parties involved, and may even expedite the process of you getting back on your feet. If you have any questions or your insurance claim has been denied, call us, we will help

(C) 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 as part of our FREE Insurance Claim Consulting Service – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Insurance Claim Help and questions about Independent Appraiser Services is available by visiting Insurance Claims Group | Insurance Appraisal Services | Insurance Appraisal Process | Insurance Appraisal Umpire | Fire Insurance Claims

If your house is damaged or destroyed by fire, water, damage, or a tornado, what do you do? You call your insurance company to get it all straightened out, to file an insurance claim, and instead of answers you just get more confusion and headache.

The one thing that surprises a lot of people who submit a claim is the number of people who are involved with the process. There is the insurance adjuster, who looks over and approves repairs according to your policy. There is also the insurance agent who sold you the initial policy.

There is someone called a restoration contractor, who is essential in insurance claim help. This person’s job is to make sure your home is returned to it’s original condition, and that the job is done within the insurance company’s guidelines. Not every contractor is qualified for this, so make sure they have experience in insurance related repairs. If you still owe the bank for your house and have a mortgage, than that company will likely appoint a representative to make sure that your policy is restored for your insurance claim, because as long as they own it they have an interest in maintaining that property.

Some companies may require multiple estimates from a variety of companies. This is how they ensure they get the most cost effective price and aren’t getting ripped off. With that said, these companies do this on a regular basis and have regular contractors they work with who they trust. Sometimes, one phone call is all it takes to get a contractor.

Another factor to be aware of is depreciation. The value of property decreases over time due to normal wear and tear, as well as just becoming outdated. This could greatly affect your payout in some instances. That is not always the case, sometimes your home is at it’s full value when the incident happens.

Submitting an insurance claim is not a simple thing to do. I can get very complex for someone who hasn’t dealt with this before. Your independent insurance appraiser is a great resource to answer questions for you and provide information. If that is not the case, and if you have a substantial amount of damage, you may want to consider getting a claims assessor. They will make sure you get every dollar you deserve, and won’t allow insurance companies to treat you unfairly, they are also good as a neutral party to mediate.

Learn all that you can about your rights and unfamiliar real estate terms and you will be able to get the maximum benefits due to you and be able to get on your feet a little faster.

(C) 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 as part of our FREE Insurance Claim Consulting Service – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Insurance Claim Help and questions about Independent Appraiser Services is available by visiting Insurance Claims Group | Insurance Appraisal Services | Insurance Appraisal Process | Insurance Appraisal Umpire | Fire Insurance Claims

Water is something that we all can’t live without, it covers over 70% of the earth.  It is ironic that water also causes around 70% of all insurance claims.  Heavy, torrential rains, hurricanes, winter storms, and flood all are culprits of water damage.  Having water in your home is very stressful expensive for homeowners, property owners, and even the insurance companies.

Although it is somewhat common for a homeowner to find themselves with some water damage at one time or another, not all kinds of water damage are covered by insurance.  For example, if there is a rainstorm and rivers overflow and floods your basement, such an event is not covered in a regular homeowner’s Flood coverage is an add-on service you must purchase separately in many instances.

It also makes a difference on how the flooding occurred.  If a homeowner has a standard insurance policy and the water damage occurred because a tornado ripped off the roof, then your insurance will would take care of the water damages associated with the claim.  However, if it happened due to a storm surge, there’s a chance it won’t be covered.

Flooding and Natural disasters cause water-related insurance losses on a regular basis.  They are covered in the news quite often.  $40 billion dollars worth of damage in Hurricane Katrina is a shocking number.  On a smaller scale, there are practically daily water related insurance claims that amount to significant losses of money and property lost each year.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, “water damage and freezing claims occur about 1.5 times for each 100 home owner’s policies per year”.  That average is much higher than other homeowner claims like fire or theft.

There are ways to prevent some of these water damage claims.  You cannot control natural disasters, but you can prevent other types of water claims with regular maintenance.  Inspect your basement and roof on a regular basis.If you stay on top of home repairs, the odds of something catastrophic like water damage are smaller.  You can also clean out your gutters, which will help the water drain off of your roof.

It is important to utilize some tools to prevent damage as well.  If you live in a colder climate, insulate your water pipes.  It will make a big difference in them not freezing and bursting. You can also run your water very slowly overnight when it is really cold, or leave cabinets open by pipes.  If you live in a place where there are earthquakes, strap in your water heater.

You can also buy a sump pump and keep it handy in your basement.  You could hire a service to slant your lawn so water doesn’t collect against your house. Educate all members of your family how to turn off the main water shut-off valve, it is important to take action quickly if a problem is spotted.

Water is essential.  We can’t live without it.  It flows through our oceans and through our homes.  It is important to remember the disaster that water can cause, take preventative measures, and remember how to file a water damage claim if needed.

(C) 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 as part of our FREE Insurance Claim Consulting Service – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Insurance Claim Help and questions about Independent Appraiser Services is available by visiting Insurance Claims Group | Insurance Appraisal Services | Insurance Appraisal Process | Insurance Appraisal Umpire | Fire Insurance Claims

There are a lot of things in life we can control, however, Mother Nature is not one of them. When misfortune lands right on top of our heads, and houses, we can be thankful for insurance policies that cover the damages. When you shop for an insurance plan, it is important to check with the agent that sold you the plan about what exactly the policy covers in relation to roofing damages caused by storms.

Some areas of the world are more prone to these types of events, like the Midwest in the United States. If you are in an area where hail and storms occur frequently, check into the roofing part of your policy in the event of damage. Sometimes, there are homeowners who suffer extensive damage to their homes and later find out that their policy does not cover roofing insurance claims for storm damage. There is no doubt that there are storms powerful enough to create a lot of problems with your roof, so it is essential you find that out before you purchase a plan.

A roof is a very essential part of the home, it is our barrier against the elements; rain, hail, or even a natural disaster. One can assume that at some point, your roof will need to be repaired. Without a roof, your home would sustain more damage.

If you sustain roof damage during bad weather, the first step you need to take is to call your insurance agent. You will need to inquire about the specifics of your policy for storm damage to the roof. Then, your agent should tell you the necessary paperwork to fill out as well as the deadlines. Explain everything that happened and break it down in detail. If you have a leak, you will need to take swift action to avoid further damage to your home. You need to let your agent know if the roof repairs are urgent. They must have this information to begin processing your roof insurance claim.

Shortly after that initial conversation, you will get contacted from their department that handles roofing insurance claims for storm damage. Afterwards, you will be contacted by an adjuster. The adjuster may want to come to your home, take pictures of the damage, and give the roofing insurance company a cost of repair or replacement.

Do not under any circumstances make any agreements or sign contracts with a contractor until you speak with your insurance adjuster. You may get estimates from contractors, however.

When that adjustment is done, then you start looking for professional contractors to make the repairs. It is very important to get a final estimate of how much it will cost. Inform them that the insurance company will be paying for these repairs, from the department that handles the roofing insurance claims for storm damage. Provide that estimate to your insurance company.

Some insurance companies choose to pay upfront, and some after the job is complete. You may need to send a final invoice from the professional to get that final payment.

(C) 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 as part of our FREE Insurance Claim Consulting Service – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Insurance Claim Help and questions about Independent Appraiser Services is available by visiting Insurance Claims Group | Insurance Appraisal Services | Insurance Appraisal Process | Insurance Appraisal Umpire | Fire Insurance Claims

Almost all insurance policies have an appraisal clause that allows the parties of the insurance contract to resolve disputes that may arise during a claim.  Appraisal is for the “amount of loss,” only.  This is the amount of monies it will cost to fully complete the repairs caused by the claim damages.  For instance; policyholders could be forced to use an independent appraiser to settle their differences with the insurance company, using the appraisal process to protect their interests.

In a recent Texas case, JM Walker, LLC v. Acadia Insurance Company, reveals how an independent appraiser and the appraisal process protected a policyholder from mistakes made by the insurance company.  Mistakes that could have cost the policyholder “hundreds of thousands of dollars!”  Each situation can be a bit different simply by how the appraisal clause is worded in the policy, by the type of damage that occurred, and by all the facts pertaining to the loss.

In this situation, JM Walker owned five buildings in North Richland Hills, Texas.  A hailstorm caused damages to the roofs of the five buildings. Walker submitted a claim to his insurance company, Acadia.  However, at first Acadia denied the claim after their adjuster determined that the roofs did not need to be fully replaced, and that the damage that was caused by the hail, did not reach the $5,000 deductible that applied to the policy.

Mr. Walker disagreed with that assessment from the insurance company’s adjuster.  The two parties could not agree, so Acadia executed its contractual right to appraisal.  At first, Mr. Walker tried to litigate the matter in court by filing a lawsuit.  However, the Judge advised that the parties should continue with the appraisal process.  It is not uncommon for judicial courts to suggest this process, as most policies require that all policy provisions be exhausted before entering the courtroom.

The appraisal process includes two independent appraisers (one hired by each party) and an appraisal umpire.  If the independent appraisers cannot agree on an amount of loss they can submit their differences to the umpire.  The umpire in this appraisal process found on behalf of JM Walker and produced an award for the amount of loss at $423,053.96.  Appraisal awards are binding, therefore, Acadia paid the amount.  (You may recall that their first offer was $0, because they determined the loss to be below the $5,000 deductible.)

JM Walker tried filing an appeal to the United States Fifth Circuit. It was Walker’s belief that he was entitled to more hail damage proceeds and was also seeking additional money for what he believed was “bad faith” actions by Acadia with their miss handling of the claim.

The Court ruled that under Texas law, “appraisal awards made pursuant to the provisions of an insurance contract are binding and enforceable, and every reasonable presumption will be indulged to sustain an appraisal award.”  The Court also ruled that an otherwise binding appraisal may only be overturned in only three situations:

(1) when the award was made without authority;
(2) when the award was made as a result of fraud, accident, or mistake; or
(3) when the award was not in compliance with the requirements of the policy.”

Mr. Walker diligently tried to argue on all three points.  However, the court dismissed his rebuttal on all three.  This appraisal and case is a good resource showing the respect the Texas courts have for the appraisal process. It is my opinion that the Independent Appraiser and the insurance appraisal process protected the policyholder in this situation.  Mr. Walker should be happy the policy had such a clause.  The work that the Independent Appraiser did during this Appraisal was responsible for Walker receiving $418,053.96 over what the insurance carrier said they owe on the claim.

If you should ever find yourself in an insurance claim dispute with your insurance company, you should truly consider calling an Independent Appraiser to explore your options with the insurance appraisal process.  Independent Insurance Appraisal Services is all we do.  Feel free to call Insurance Claims Group, Inc. at 919-669-9111 to have all your insurance appraisal questions answered at NO COST.

(C) 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 as part of our FREE Insurance Claim Consulting Service – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Insurance Claim Help and questions about Independent Appraiser Services is available by visiting Insurance Claims Group | Insurance Appraisal Services | Insurance Appraisal Process | Insurance Appraisal Umpire | Fire Insurance Claims