Public Adjuster in Florida Talks about Condominium Insurance Conundrums

If you are over the age of 30, there is a good chance that you’re already familiar with the term “snowbirds.” For those that aren’t, it’s the word used to affectionately describe the millions of Americans that migrate from cold climates to the welcome warmth of the Sunshine State. Once the snowbirds arrive, many opt to invest in a condominium, which poses its own insurance conundrums. So that’s the topic that our public adjuster in Florida wanted to briefly cover today.

Unlike other seasonal arrangements, condominium living often requires investors to purchase multiple insurance policies. Otherwise, they could end up without sufficient coverage. For starters, most condominium ownership agreements require investors to purchase what’s known as a master policy.

A master policy comes in different forms. However, most can be divided up into two categories, all-in and bare walls-in. The all-in insurance policies tend to cover the building’s interior common areas, fixtures, additions and installations. The bare walls-in insurance policies typically cover nothing more than the building’s exterior/interior framing. Generally, neither type of master policy covers the investor’s personal belongings, condominium unit, unit upgrades, bodily injuries or legal liabilities to others. That’s where the need for other insurance policies comes in.

In most instances, Florida snowbirds that invest in a condominium will want to purchase a basic insurance policy plus add-ons that cover at least five key things. Those key things are water/sewer back-up damages, unit assessment costs, umbrella liability, expensive belongings and damages caused by natural disasters. As far as the disasters go, our public adjuster in Florida would recommend that investors consider covering all of the bases. That includes obtaining flood, wind, sinkhole, hurricane and earthquake coverage.

Of course having all of those different types of insurance policies can make it time consuming, confusing and exasperating to file an insurance claim. As such, condominium owners faced with such a task would do well to contact our public adjuster in Florida at (877) 869-8989. We can help Florida’s condo owners through the claim filing process and argue with the various insurance companies on a condo owner’s behalf.

Public Adjuster in Florida Talks about Condominium Insurance Conundrums

Public Adjuster in Florida’s 5 Tips for Year-end Insurance Review Time

With the start of 2014 only a few weeks away, our public adjuster in Florida would like to remind everyone to conduct a year-end insurance review. After all, completing a year-end insurance review can save you from having to deal with aggravation, out-of-pocket expenses and confusion in the months ahead.

#1: Review Hurricane/Flood Policies

Two of the first things that Floridians should review are their hurricane and flood insurance policies. Hurricane and flood insurance coverage are normally listed separately from other storm related provisions. The hurricane portion may also feature a fixed or percentage deductible. Therefore, it is important to review which one you have and whether or not it still meets your family’s needs.

#2: Review Sinkhole Policy

Although 2013 was a mild year for hurricanes in Florida, it was a wicked one when it came to sinkholes. They cropped up in a variety of places including Clermont, Winter Park and Hillsborough County. Given that fact and the changes that were made to the way sinkhole insurance claims are handled in the state, it is best to review your coverage carefully.

Look to make sure that you are covered for catastrophic ground collapse as well as sinkhole loss. The sinkhole loss portion is usually part of an endorsement policy and covers cosmetic damages. The catastrophic ground collapse coverage, on the other hand, normally does not address cosmetic or land stability related damages.

#3: Review Floater/Endorsement Policies

Does your insurance coverage include endorsement policies and floaters? If so, be sure the go over the details of those as well. You may find those policies will need to be altered based on updated appraisal values, new purchases and sales. While you are at it, take a second to update your inventory list as well. Doing so may just help you remember a valuable piece of jewelry or other item that you forgot to insure during the last policy examination.

#4: Review Homeowner’s Policy

Once you’ve reviewed all of the extras, run through your basic homeowner’s policy too. Depending on the age of your home and its location, you may want to change from a HO-2 policy to a HO-3 or HO-8 policy instead. Each one has its good and bad points. Thus, it pays to weigh your options carefully.

#5: Review Discounts/Maintenance Needs

Lastly, take a look at which discounts you may be eligible for now and within the next six months. Remember, completing some spring improvement projects may just bring your homeowner’s insurance down a bit. Examples include the installation of electronic home security systems, fencing and hurricane shutters.

Those are just five things to remember when conducting a year-end insurance review. To speak with our public adjusters in Florida and learn more, please contact us at (877) 869-8989. We have 50+ years worth of experience handling insurance claims and the recoveries records to prove it.

Public Adjuster in Florida’s 5 Tips for Year-end Insurance Review Time

Florida Insurance Adjuster Discusses 2013 Sinkhole Insurance Claims

In mid November 2013, national headlines were rocked with news regarding yet another sinkhole forming in the Sunshine State. That particular one occurred in Dunedin and quickly expanded to 90 feet in diameter. In the process, it claimed homes and a 14-foot long boat. Because of that, our Florida insurance adjuster wanted to take time out to discuss sinkhole insurance claims.

Sinkholes, unfortunately, are just as much a part of Southern life as subterranean termites and hurricanes. There is really no escaping all three. The best one can do is take preventive measures and keep a Florida insurance adjuster’s number on speed dial. This is especially the case if your property happens to be located in what’s known as sinkhole alley.

There are eight different types of sinkholes that commonly occur in the state. The one that took place in Dunedin is frequently referred to as a catastrophic ground collapse. The damage caused by such events is traditionally covered by standard homeowner’s insurance policies. Problems caused by smaller sinkholes, however, are not normally a part of standard policies.

For example, let’s pretend that a small sinkhole forms near your home’s concrete pad. As a result, your home’s walls, foundation and ceiling develop minor cracks. The cost of repairing those cracks and filling the hole will most likely fall on you unless you have what’s known as an endorsement for sinkhole loss. The endorsement is generally purchased separately and has its own deductible. Therefore, it is best to make sure that your total insurance coverage addresses the various sinkhole types as well as relocation/living expenses.

Should you notice sinkhole activity on your Florida property, it’s best to contact our Florida insurance adjusters straightaway. We can help you sort out which deductibles and provisions apply to your sinkhole situation. In some instances, it may also be necessary to notify your county’s emergency management team, geologists and specialty contractors to solve the problem. The Florida Geological Survey has a phone line and comprehensive web page devoted to dealing with such issues. You may find reviewing it helpful as well.

To learn more about how our Florida insurance adjuster can provide assistance with sinkhole insurance claims, please contact us. We may be reached by e-mail or by calling (877) 869-8989. Our Florida insurance adjuster also welcomes comments about sinkhole issues on the Equitable Public Adjusters’ Facebook and LinkedIn pages too.

Florida Insurance Adjuster Discusses 2013 Sinkhole Insurance Claims

Public Adjuster in NY Discusses Cold Weather Related Water Damage

With the Farmer’s Almanac calling for another frigid winter, our public adjusters in NY wanted to take time out to discuss cold weather related water damage. Cold weather related water damage may be caused by several different situations. Either one of them may cost New York property owners a sleigh full of cash.

Situations that may result in cold weather related water damage include broken pipes, ice damming issues and natural floods caused by ice jammed rivers. Understandably, the damage may or may not be covered by one’s insurance policy.

Speaking of which, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s figures, broken pipes in the winter can cost the average New Yorker $5,000 or more in property damage. Obviously, that’s not taking into account the other water damage scenarios we mentioned previously. They each come with their own astronomical price tags.

On a positive note, New Yorkers can take action to prevent some winter related water damage from occurring. They include adding insulation where needed, keeping the thermostat above 55 degrees Fahrenheit and draining water from unused pipes.

For those that may not have the funds necessary to add insulation, our public adjusters in NY would like to remind residents that there are resources available that may help. One of them is the Empire State’s Weatherization Assistance Program. It isn’t the only program available in New York either. Other winterization related services that New Yorkers may want to avail themselves of are the EmPower Program, HEAP and the Energy Star’s Assisted Home Performance Program.

If cold weather related water damage occurs despite one’s best efforts, it is also advisable to contact a reputable public adjuster in NY straightaway. Our public adjusting firm, for example, can help NY residents file cold weather related damage claims. We can also provide assistance in other ways. To learn more, please contact us at (877) 869-8989. Our public adjusters in NY would be happy to go over all of the details with you.

Public Adjuster in NY Discusses Cold Weather Related Water Damage

A Public Adjuster Will Work With Your Insurance Company to Resolve Your Homeowners Claim

After you file a claim with your homeowners insurance carrier, does it feel like it’s just you against a big corporation? That’s exactly what it is. The claims adjuster who comes out to investigate your fire, burglary or other property claim is usually a representative of a big financial conglomerate. A claims adjuster looks out for his corporate bosses, shouldn’t you have a public adjuster looking out for you?

Isn’t the insurance company on your side?

Of course insurance companies don’t market themselves as big corporate conglomerates. They talk about putting your family in “good” hands. They tell you it’s okay to be “human.” They say that they are “on your side.”

Insurance company songs and slogans convince you to hand over your premium dollars; but all that feel-good marketing is long gone by the time a big loss takes your family by surprise. That’s when you get a dose of big insurance company reality. That’s when you find out that there are two sides– yours and theirs.

That means you are on your own

After your home and personal property sustain unexpected damage you begin to see things clearly– you are the insured and they are the insurance company. They run things and you fall in line. Insurance company adjusters show up on their schedule. They tell you what to do with your property and personal belongings. You must put your life on hold while they decide what to do.

Insurance company adjusters toss out information on deductibles, coinsurance clauses, policy limits, and formulas for calculating your damages. Even if you’re a savvy policyholder, you may realize that you don’t know as much about insurance claims as you thought you did. It’s a bad time to be alone.

You Don’t Have to Handle it Alone

Organizations like United Policyholders have informative websites to help insurance consumers through those post crisis days. They offer a library of articles that cover many critical topics. That can make you feel a little better, but wouldn’t you feel less stressed if you had your public adjuster waiting with you when the insurance claims adjuster arrives?

Public Adjusters are There for You

Public adjusters follow a code of ethics approved by the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. They have claim backgrounds and insurance company claims training. They know how to work with insurance companies because they speak the same language.

Your public adjuster will report your claim to your homeowners carrier if you need him to. Once the insurance company is involved, your adjuster will make sure that the insurance company adjuster doesn’t walk all over you in his quest to satisfy his bosses.

You adjuster will do what insurance companies do, except he will do it just for you. He’ll review your policy, analyze your coverage, examine and estimate the repair costs of your property damage, help you with emergency measures, and walk you through any coverage issues. He will make sure the insurance company pays you what’s fair.

How Much Does a Public Adjuster Cost?

The beauty of hiring a public adjuster is that they only get paid if you get paid. Public adjusters receive a fee that’s based on the money they recover for you. That means you get to be the boss, but there’s no financial risk.

Contact us for more information on public adjusters and what they can do for you.

A Public Adjuster Will Work With Your Insurance Company to Resolve Your Homeowners Claim

NJ Public Adjusters Can Help Superstorm Sandy Victims Find Relief

It has been almost a year since Superstorm Sandy brought tears, damage and frustration to more than 2 million New Jersey residents. However, by all accounts, her sad after effects remain. “What after effects?”, you may ask. Well, many New Jersey residents have yet to rebuild or restore their homes and businesses. For proof, just take a look at the recent pieces that appeared on ABC News and in some New Jersey newspapers.

So what went wrong? Why are there still so many homes and businesses left in disarray? Part of the reason may rest with insurance related issues and the sheer scope of the damage. For example, in Middletown Township alone, at least 62 properties sustained storm related damage in excess of $28.8K. Now multiply numbers like that across the state and you’ll quickly start to get a glimpse at why there’s still so much devastation to contend with.

Notice that I also mentioned insurance issues. Sadly, many of those impacted by the superstorm didn’t have adequate coverage or any coverage at all. Others are currently being forced to wrestle with their insurance companies over how much money is needed to make them whole. This has also led to lawsuits being filed on behalf of residents and business owners alike. Now that you have a pretty good idea of why New Jersey residents are still in such a fix, you may be wondering how such problems may be avoided in the future.

While it is true that we humans cannot control the weather, we can control how our insurance companies treat us after a storm. The ideal way to do that is to contact a NJ Public Adjuster. A NJ public adjuster is not on an insurance company’s payroll. He or she works solely on the behalf of the property owner. In addition, a NJ public adjuster does not receive compensation unless he or she is successful at advocating on the property owner’s behalf. Therefore, there is a good chance that the insurance claim will be settled fairly and without the need for expensive litigation.

Furthermore, NJ public adjusters also have the capability to advocate on behalf of property owners who have already settled their insurance claims. As such, they could feasibly assist victims of Superstorm Sandy in reopening their claims and seeking adequate compensation.

For more information about how NJ public adjusters can assist property owners after a superstorm, call 1-877-869-8989. We here at Equitable Public Adjusters & Appraisers have extensive experience in the field. Thus, we are more than capable of assisting Superstorm Sandy victims in New Jersey and New York.

NJ Public Adjusters Can Help Superstorm Sandy Victims Find Relief