Monday, January 11th, 2021
Insurance companies use different tactics to maximize their profits while reducing claim payouts whether they
know it or not. The tactics include, but are not limited to the three D’s:
deny, delay, and defend.
The first D is to
deny the claim outright or portions of the claim. They are trained to use terms
like “wear and tear” or “that is pre-existing damage from an old storm”. The most
efficient way to argue coverage with an insurance company is to use a public
adjuster.
The second D is to delay. Any time we attempt to supplement
a claim or argue that the adjuster made an incorrect coverage decision, it may
take weeks or months to get the claim settled. Insurance adjusters are always
busy, but the only way to settle the claim in a timely fashion is making sure
you call or email on a daily basis. The constant communication shows the
insurance adjuster that you aren’t going to go away without a fair settlement.
The third D is to defend. The insurance adjusters don’t like
to admit they missed damage or inaccurately estimated the damage. During my
time with Liberty Mutual and as an independent adjuster, I had thought these
same notions as well. I was very wrong, the more and more supplements that were
presented to me, the more I knew how much I had to learn. Insurance adjusters
tend to use phrases like “get another bid” or “that’s
plenty of money to fix that”. Insurance
adjusters don’t always have knowledge of local
building codes, know the availability of certain building materials, or the necessary
repairs that go into an estimate.
Insurance companies anticipate that you as a homeowner will
give up arguing the claim or simply accept the amount given to you. At ACZ
Consulting, we know how to work around these
tactics and make sure you get a fair settlement.
Friday, February 21st, 2020
The standard insurance claim begins
with the policyholder filing a claim by calling their insurance agent or
calling the 1-800 number to declare that a loss has occurred. During that
initial conversation the insurance company representative will probe the
policyholder asking questions like, “when did the loss occur?” or “how long has
this been going on?” These questions may seem harmless, but the answers to
these questions may be used against you later in the claims process to possibly
deny the claim.
The next step is assigning an
insurance adjuster to inspect the damages at the home and determine the
coverage. The larger insurance companies like Liberty Mutual, Allstate, and
Nationwide have staff adjusters who will inspect the claim. Staff adjusters are
direct employees of the insurance company. Smaller insurance companies and at
times if the larger companies are overwhelmed with claims they will utilize
independent adjusters. Independent adjusters are not direct employees of the
insurance company and typically work for several different insurance companies.
An adjuster will set up a time to inspect the damages and usually requests the
policyholder be present especially if the claim has interior damages. The
insurance adjuster will meet with the policyholder, inspect the damages by
taking photos, measurements, and makes determinations based on what they can
see at the time of the inspection. The estimate is written, and the
policyholder is stuck with the outcome. The individual is then responsible to locate
a contractor within the budget of the allotted amount given for the claim by
the insurance company for all damages.
Having ACZ Consulting representing
you in the claims process can avoid all of these steps. We will handle contact with
the insurance company, set up and represent you during the inspection,
determine a fair and reasonable settlement, and then we will assist with
finding the right contractor to repair the damages. Insurance companies can be
tricky – especially if you are not clear of your rights and coverage as the
insured. It is our job as insurance experts to make you aware of your coverage
and make sure that your reimbursement lines up with what you deserve. At ACZ
Consulting we know it takes hard work and a strong commitment to make sure the
claim outcome favors our clients.
Friday, February 21st, 2020
Hail and wind damage claims may go undiscovered to the ordinary homeowner or business owner. It can be difficult to see the damage caused by wind and/or hail to roofing and siding. Without the help of a public adjuster an insurance adjuster can write an estimate to patch a roof or repair a piece of siding when the policyholder deserves to have the full roof or all of the siding replaced. Not having a public adjuster present indicating the damage to an insurance adjuster allows the insurance adjuster to overlook damages or misidentify the materials being estimated. In some cases, the insurance adjuster is in a hurry or lacks the knowledge to make an accurate assessment of the damages. For instance, certain shingles or siding are no longer manufactured meaning the insurance companies have an obligation to pay for a full replacement if a similar match is unavailable. Insurance adjusters are paid by the insurance companies and they have strict guidelines to follow. A standard guideline is to settle the claim at the least amount possible. Full roofs can be denied and damage to aluminum siding can be completely overlooked. Having ACZ Consulting conduct the initial inspection with photo documentation and writing a detailed estimate prior to having the insurance adjuster come out to the property will provide an outline for the insurance adjuster to follow. ACZ Consulting specializes in hail and wind exterior damages and won’t overlook any hail or wind damage, ensuring you are compensated to the fullest extent.
Friday, February 21st, 2020
It is common for insurance companies and agents to not explain your policy leaving you in the dark about coverages, depreciation, and the complex vocabulary used in insurance policies. This can make taking advantage of an uninformed policyholder very easy for a large corporation such as an insurance company. For example, insurance companies may cover your claim, but pay significantly less than what you are entitled to. Public adjusters will maximize the claim payout leaving the policyholder fully indemnified. Public adjusters handle the strenuous claims process from start to finish – allowing the policyholder to go on with their life without worrying about if they got a fair settlement from their insurance company. A good public adjuster will handle the claims process while ensuring you get the money you deserve from the insurance company, but a great public adjuster will also assist and guide you in the repairs process. ACZ Consulting has the knowledge of the claims process needed while also having a network of contractors capable of completing the repairs. At ACZ Consulting we take pride in the services we offer and promise you will see the difference.