Posts Tagged ‘insurance claims’
Monday, August 30th, 2010
Fire Claim - For a lot of homeowners, there is just nothing more difficult than recovering from a house fire. Every year, thousands of families lose their houses and properties to fire. Many are hopefully insured, and by filing a fire claim they have a chance of getting money to help them start new. Even people with insurance often find themselves at odds with the insurance companies and sadly must battle for a settlement.
The first act is to quickly evaluate the home’s damage. On paper, write down your property beginning with largest and then walk through the home marking off those that are gone or damaged. The insurance company will have a much more difficult time denying the fire claim if you know right away, up front everything that is gone.
You should also remember to take many pictures of your home after the fire. Make sure that the exterior damage is photographed along with the interior. Expensive and large items like antique hutches and televisions should be photographed showing their damage. Your claim with your insurance company will be substantiated with photographs of the extensive damage.
Request through your insurance company that an adjuster is assigned to your case quickly. The adjuster must come out and assess the house’s damage before you and the company can move forward. The adjuster will inform the company if your home isn’t safe to live in and you will receive a living expense allowance.
Even though it might be hard, the best chance you have is to cooperate with the insurance company. Presenting them with forms and pictures or returning their phone calls will assist you with getting a better settlement. If the insurance company is starting to show signs of putting up a big fight, working with the business can often calm things down.
If the company decides to unfortunately put up a fight, then you must also be prepared to too. Take a stand for all of your belongings and property. All insurance companies are skilled at finding the loop holes that get them out of making payments. In order to seek justice, you may be forced to hire a lawyer. If he or she determines your case is viable, they will go after the company until they agree to pay up.
It can be extremely hard, handling all of the aftermath of a fire. Sadly, a lot of homeowners have to face these situations while fighting their insurance providers. By evaluating the house’s damage, taking many pictures, and cooperating with the adjuster, you can assist in moving everything along. But in order to get the fire claim settlement you deserve, you may have to obtain an independent appraiser and execute the Appraisal Clause found in your policy.
In dire need of reliable fire claim advice ? All you need to know now in our exclusive fire damage overview.
Tags: fire claim advie, fire claim damage, fire claims, fire insurance claims, homeowners insurance, insurance, insurance claims
Posted in homeowners insurance | No Comments »
Monday, August 16th, 2010
There are many things in your life that deserve special protection in the event of an accident or tragedy. But, with so many insurance types available, it can be difficult to understand what the most important policies are and why we need them. With many types of unnecessary insurance policies available, you need to put the vital ones at the front of the line in order to protect your family and your investments.
At the end of the day, there are some coverage types that are just more important than others. For instance, insuring your jet ski is obviously less important than insuring your home. Take some time and make sure that you are putting the most important types first, as this will help you insure that your family and your finances are protected.
Your health is obviously very important, allowing you to work and maintain financial stability. Protect your health by purchasing and maintaining a quality healthy insurance policy. You never know when an unexpected illness or injury can happen, so acquire this coverage. It will help you insure that you will be able to seek adequate medical care.
For those with a family, purchasing and maintaining a life insurance policy is extremely important. This is especially true if you are your families primary breadwinner. This is a very good way of insuring that, in the event of your death, your family and their financial issues will be taken care of.
Property insurance is often required for individuals purchasing a home. Mortgage payments usually include property insurance or your lender will require continuous coverage. Considering that the home is usually the largest financial investment of a person’s life, it is worth acquiring an adequate policy.
In almost every state, individuals who own a vehicle will be required to keep automotive insurance. After all, car accidents are very common and can happen at any time no matter how careful you may be. Consider plans that will cover your medical expenses and possible legal defense costs, not to mention your vehicle and the vehicles of others who may be involved in any accidents.
Some insurance policies are more important than others. There may be other needs that are worthy of a coverage policy, but it is important that you prioritize your needs. Start with the basic and most vital protection plans and insure that you and your family are protected in the event of a sudden accident or tragedy. Don’t leave your life and your families well being to chance. Get the coverage plans that you need as soon as possible.
Get the best life insurance from this insurance faq.
Tags: business insurance, car insurance, dental insurance, Disability Insurance, health insurance, home insurance, Insurance Broker, insurance claims, insurance quote, liability insurance, Life Insurance, mortgage insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, travel insurance
Posted in home insurance | No Comments »
Saturday, August 14th, 2010
Federal forecasters declare record high temps from the Atlantic Ocean will certainly continue to keep the storm season on path to become the most excessive since 2005. That could produce significant sums of hurricane claims.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thurs . mentioned 14 (fourteen) to 20 (twenty) named tropical hurricanes are believed to formulate, with 8 (eight) to 12 (twelve) tropical depressions expanding into hurricanes. Four or six of such hurricanes may grow to be major wind events with sustained gusts of wind of at a minimum 111 MPH.
That is marginally a lesser number of events when compared with what NOAA estimated in May. Although lead seasonal hurricane forecaster Gerry Bell states that marine temps combined with a weather trend recognized as La Nina will produce additional hurricane development.
Three (3) named storms have formulated since hurricane season commenced June 1: Hurricane Alex and then tropical storms Bonnie and Colin.
In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasted this can potentially come to be the largest hurricane season since 2005, when hurricanes Katrina and Rita tore through the identical position of the Gulf Coast at this moment coping with one of the globe’s most severe oil spills.
NOAA experts recently mentioned they estimated as many as 23 named tropical storms, which includes up to seven major hurricanes. They’re going to upgrade their forecast Thursday.
Of the three named storms that have emerged, Hurricane Alex made landfall June 30 in northern Mexico. Tropical Storm Bonnie compelled crews drilling a relief well in the Gulf to leave last month. Tropical Storm Colin dissipated quickly this week over the Atlantic.
It truly is a good idea to be hurricane prepared, verify your policy with regard to insurance coverage, prep your property or home with protective measures, as well as avoiding these other Home Insurance Claim And Hurricane Damage Myths. This can save you substantial quantities of money from hurricane claims damage.
(C) JP Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We can answer your claim questions AT NO COST - Ph: 919-669-9111 . Get FREE insurance claim help, by visiting http://www.insuranceclaimsgroup.com or http://www.insurance-appraisal-services.com
Tags: business, finance, home insurance, homeowners, homeowners insurance, hurricane claim, hurricane claim damage, hurricane claims, hurricane damage claims, insurance, insurance advice, insurance claims, legal, weather
Posted in home insurance | No Comments »
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Insurance policies in most states have the insurance appraisal clause that allows both parties of the contract resolve disputes on the “amount of loss.” This means, the amount needed to fully complete the required repairs of an insurance claim. For example; a policyholder may be forced to hire an Independent Appraiser to protect their interests.
A recent Texas case, JM Walker, LLC v. Acadia Insurance Company, revealed how an independent appraiser through the appraisal process protected a policyholder from highly costly mistakes made by the insurance company. Mistakes so grossly underestimated, that it could have cost the policyholder “hundreds of thousands of dollars!” Each appraisal and claim can be a bit different by how the appraisal clause is worded in the policy. Also, by the type of damage that occurred and even by all the facts pertaining to the loss.
JM Walker owned and insured five buildings in North Richland Hills, Texas. A severe hailstorm caused damage to the roofs on each of the five buildings. Mr. Walker submitted his claim to his insurance company, Acadia. At first Acadia denied payment on the claim after their adjuster inspected the roofs. The adjuster determined that the roofs had minimal hail damage and did not need to be fully replaced. This assessment resulted in non-payment because the adjuster’s estimate was under the $5,000 deductible that applied to the policy.
Walker disagreed with that analysis and the adjuster’s findings. Acadia then invoked its contractual right to appraisal. Walker tried to take the matter to court by filing a lawsuit, but the Judge compelled the parties to agree to the appraisal process. It is not unusual for the courts to suggest this, as most policies require that all policy provisions be exhausted before entering litigation.
The appraisal clause states that each party will hire an independent appraiser. The two appraisers will then choose an umpire. If the two independent appraisers cannot agree on the amount to repair the damages they will submit their differences to the umpire. The umpire in this appraisal agreed that the roofs required replacement and produced an award favoring Mr. Walker in the amount of $423,053.96. Appraisal awards are binding. In turn, Acadia had to pay the full amount of the award. (I should remind you that Acadia’s adjuster first determined the loss amount to be $0 because they believed the damages were below the $5,000 deductible.)
JM Walker filed an appeal in the United States Fifth Circuit. Walker believed he was entitled to more insurance proceeds for his damages, plus was seeking additional monies for which he believed was “bad faith” conduct by Acadia and their poor handling of the claim.
In this appeal, 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 a binding appraisal can 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.”
Walker argued on all three of these points and was overruled by the court on all three. This case is a good resource for how the courts look at the appraisal process in Texas. Overall, in my opinion, the Independent Appraiser and the Appraisal Process protected and worked for JM Walker. As a result of the work by the Independent Appraiser and the Appraisal Process, Walker received $418,053.96 over what his insurance company was willing to pay for his loss.
In the event you find yourself within an insurance claim dispute, call upon an Independent Appraiser for assistance in the insurance appraisal process. Insurance Appraisal Services is what we do. Feel free to call Insurance Claims Group, Inc. at 919-669-9111 to have all your insurance appraisal questions answered.
(C) Joseph B is President of Insurance Claims Group, an independent appraisal and umpiring firm. Have your claim questions answered FREE - Ph: 919-669-9111. Get Independent Appraiser Help, for your Insurance Dispute
categories: independent appraiser,independent appraisal,insurance appraisal,independent insurance appraiser,insurance appraisal,insurance,insurance claims,insurance,business,finance,legal,financial,home
Tags: business, finance, financial, home, home insurance, independent appraisal, independent appraiser, independent insurance appraiser, insurance, insurance appraisal, insurance claims, legal
Posted in home insurance | No Comments »
Sunday, February 7th, 2010
Winter and spring storms can often include tornado activity in many southern states. In a recent news interview even an insurance company adjuster admits that many insurance loss damages from tornadoes are often overlooked. Policyholders should educate themselves of the various items to look for and how to detect subtle damage which could be very costly and show up months or years after the tornado is long gone.
Several Huntsville, AL neighborhoods were recently affected by an EF-2 tornado on Thur. Jan, 28th 2010. Most of the time the damages created by tornadoes and/or high winds are pretty hard to miss, however, even insurance company adjusters will miss ind and tornado damages, when they fail to do proper inspections.
A thorough and detailed inspection by an insurance claims consultant or independent insurance appraiser can go a long way if you enter into a dispute with your insurance company. Why do so many policyholders allow the insurance company adjuster’s opinion to be the only one for their insurance loss? This usually happens without a second opinion by a professional? This should never happen to anyone. Policyholders need to educate and protect themselves and their property with some simple wind damage inspection tips.
Plumbing: High winds will often shake, rack, and wiggle homes and buildings. Policyholders can perform a simple plumbing test by turning on all faucets in bathrooms and kitchens, followed by opening all cabinet doors to check for leaking. Continue by flushing toilets, running showers, and filling the bathtubs with water. Look for water stains and leaks on the ceilings, walls, and floors of the rooms below.
Roofing/Siding: An insurance loss caused by high winds often does not appear to damage the roof at first glance. However, a thorough inspection can reveal cracks, gouges or tears to the shingles from flying debris. Such high winds can also tear, rip, gouge, and crack many types of siding, including brick. Such affects on siding and roofing can allow water entry later on down he road.
Windows & Gutters: High winds, tornadoes, and flying debris can create subtle chips in window glass, rip and puncture screens, and affect shutters. Nails can be pulled from gutters allowing twisting and denting. Such damage will not allow the gutter to provide its purpose to divert water properly.
Brick & Foundations: Check for cracking and separation. An insurance loss by wind can also cause uplift to foundations. Check the perimeter of crawlspaces. Severe damages can be hidden.
Interior: High wind loads can cause stress cracks in the corners of walls. Stress cracking can also be noted above doors and window openings. It’s a good idea to check for settling of floors and shifting of walls by using a level. Over the following days and weeks it’s also recommended to keep an eye out for water stains and/or yellowing on walls and ceilings. Such stains could indicate hidden roof leaks.
In 2006, State Farm insurance company and their engineers at Haag have even been sued for failing to recognize such damages for insurance loss claims following high winds and tornadoes. CNN reported “State Farm Penalized in Suit Over Tornado Claims :”
State Farm acted “recklessly” and “with malice” in handling insurance claims from dozens of families whose homes were damaged when a wave of tornadoes, including the strongest in recorded history, swept through Oklahoma in 1999, a jury has decided. The verdict…delivered millions to the lead plaintiffs… The jury in the District Court of Grady County, Oklahoma, awarded Donald and Bridget Watkins almost $13 million in total damages for their part in the class action suit against the nation’s largest insurer….
People are well aware that an insurance loss involving tornadic activity will result in very strong and damaging winds. Even when tornadoes don’t actually “touch-down,” they can cause significant wind loads and pressure on buildings and structure - both residential and commercial. Such winds will pull and push on buildings, causing the fasteners and building parts to become compromised.
Above all, as stated, call an insurance loss consultant or independent insurance appraiser to inspect your property and be sure your home is safe. Feel free to call Insurance Claims Group, Inc. at 919-669-9111 to have all your insurance loss questions answered.
(C) Joseph 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 Loss Help , by visiting http://www.insuranceclaimsgroup.com or http://www.fireinsuranceclaims.net
Tags: finance, financial, homeowners insurance, homeowners policy, insurance, insurance claims, insurance loss, legal, property insurance, tornado claims, wind damage claim
Posted in homeowners insurance | No Comments »
|