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 Adjusting Firm Discusses Winter Lightning Damage and Thundersnow

Did you know that most people associate lightning damage with warm weather? What they fail to realize is that such activity is not restricted to certain times of the year. Just ask the independent insurance claims adjusters that work at our public adjusting firm. They all know that thunder and lightning storms can, and do, occur in the winter months. The scientific community even has a name for such weather occurrences. They refer to them as thundersnow events.

Thundersnow events have a history of taking place in various states, including New York. When they do take place, the lightning bolts’ ampage levels are said to be significantly higher than those that occur during warm weather events. Depending on the situation, the currents generated from a single bolt may range from 2,000 amps to 200 million volts.

For those property owners whose assets are hit with wintry bolts from the blue, extensive damage is the likely result. As an example of how much damage may result, take a look at the Insurance Information Institute’s latest lightning claims report. It indicated that close to $1 billion dollars in lightning damage was reported in 2012. However, the report did not divide the $1 billion dollars in damages up into seasons. Therefore, there is no definitive way of knowing just how much of it was caused by winter lightning events.

As a public adjusting firm, what we do know is that regardless of the season, it pays to be mindful of lightning’s damage potential. With that said, we’d like to encourage property owners to review their insurance policies now. That way, they’ll know if they have winter lightning related coverage. We’d also like to remind everyone that we can assist residents in NY and FL with filing lightning damage claims year round. To learn more about the claims’ filing process in those areas, please contact us. Our public adjusting firm’s phone number is (877) 869-8989.

Public Adjusting Firm Discusses Winter Lightning Damage and Thundersnow

Public Adjusting Firm’s Tips for Avoiding Holiday Decoration Woes

Each year, countless Americans haul out their holiday decor in the hopes of creating the best display ever invented. The sad reality of the matter is things don’t always work out as they would have hoped. Here’s a look at what can go wrong when decking the halls and how public adjusting firms can help:

Two of the unfortunate things that may occur are holiday decoration theft and vandalism. Just last year thieves stole Christmas decorations from several residents’ lawns. Similar instances took place in New York and Florida too. The amount of decorations stolen and vandalized obviously varied with every situation. However, some home and business owners lost close to $1,000 worth of holiday décor.

So how does one avoid having to deal with such holiday theft and vandalism problems? Our public adjusting firm’s staff suggests looking into establishing neighborhood watches and investing in time-tested security systems. Such actions may just help to keep the world’s Grinches at bay. It is also advisable to initial your decorations, make a photographic record of each one and save all of the receipts.

Theft and vandalism are not the only things that can go wrong in regards to holiday decorations. There is also the issue of holiday decoration related fires. According to historical figures, Christmas tree fires alone cause more than $17 million in property damages each year, nationwide. That’s not factoring in fires caused by faulty holiday lights, candles, Yule logs and animatronics.

To avoid such holiday catastrophes, our public adjusting firm recommends using décor that is non-flammable, UL-rated and in excellent condition. As far as the trees go, keeping them properly watered is a must. It is also important to unplug all electric powered decorations and extinguish any flames when you can’t be around to monitor them closely.

Wondering what to do if a holiday decorating disaster happens anyway? Well, the first thing on your “to do” list should be to pull out your insurance policy and contact us. Many insurance policies actually cover damages related to holiday decoration theft, vandalism and fire. So we can help you read through the paperwork, file and settle your claim. For more information about our public adjusting firm can help you recover from a holiday decorating disaster, call (877) 869-8989.

Public Adjusting Firm’s Tips for Avoiding Holiday Decoration Woes

Public Adjusters" Tips for Avoiding and Dealing with Thanksgiving Day Fires

Did you know that approximately 2,000 residential fires occur on Thanksgiving Day every year? That’s nearly double the amount of fires that take place on other days of the month. According to the U.S. Fire Administration’s latest data, most of those fires start between noon and 4 p.m.  In the process, they cause an estimated $21 million in damages. The good news is our public adjusters have a few suggestions on how you can prevent such holiday mishaps from occurring:

#1 Fry Safely

Cooking disasters, including those connected to turkey fryers, are one of the chief causes of Thanksgiving Day fires. So our public adjusters would like to urge all fried turkey fans to use the utmost of caution this year. The best course of action is to place the fryer outside and away from flammable objects. It is also important to thaw the turkey properly and keep a Class K fire extinguisher nearby.

#2 Use Sterno Safety Equipment

While we are on the subject of foods and flames, don’t forget to use caution with Sterno’s cooking fuel too. They contain jellied, denatured alcohol, which is highly flammable. As such, they should never be placed on a table without the proper safety equipment in place. Safety equipment that should be used with Sterno includes wire fuel holders, snuffer paddles and non-combustible trays. It is also important to note that in order to account for any splatter issues, the non-combustible trays should extend well beyond the Sterno containers in each direction.

#3 Handle Candles Cautiously

Although they are the chief cause of Thanksgiving Day fires, cooking mishaps are not the only things to look out for. Our public adjusters would also like to remind everyone to handle holiday candles cautiously. Do not place the lit candles close to centerpieces, table linens or paper decorations. Otherwise, they could easily cause those items to go up in flames.

#4 Remember Our Public Adjusters

Finally, remember that if a Thanksgiving Day fire does occur, our public adjusters are nearby and willing to help. Just contact us by calling (877) 869-8989. Afterward, one of our public adjusters in Florida or New York will get to work on your claim.

Public Adjusters" Tips for Avoiding and Dealing with Thanksgiving Day Fires

Florida Public Adjusters" Tips for Preventing Space Heater Fires

Our Florida public adjusters know that as November draws to a close, residents are likely to bust out their portable space heaters for warmth. These seemingly innocuous actions unfortunately make the weeks that follow prime time for home heating fires to occur. For verification, just take a look at the National Fire Prevention Agency’s most recently reported figures. They indicate that there are typically more 50,000 heating related fires that occur each year. With that said, we thought it pertinent to list our Florida public adjusters‘ tips for preventing and dealing with space heater fires:

FL Public Adjusters’ Tip #1: Conduct an Equipment Check

Before the first frost on the citrus occurs, be sure to conduct a thorough equipment check. We’d suggest starting the process by making sure that your portable or fixed space heater is clean and in excellent condition. You’ll also want to test your building’s smoke and carbon monoxide monitors as well as its fire extinguishers. After all, they should all be in working order too.

Once that is done, stop by the Consumer Product Safety Commission or Safer Products’ websites. While there, conduct a brief search to ensure that the heater hasn’t been recalled since it was last placed into storage. If it hasn’t, it should be safe for continued, proper use. However, if it was recalled, we’d recommend discarding it and buying a new, safety certified heater.

FL Public Adjusters’ Tip #2: Prepare the Location

Afterward, survey and prepare the area where you plan on setting up your space heater. Ideally, it should be positioned in a level location that is free of flammable items and has good ventilation. You’ll also want to make sure that it isn’t in a spot where it could inadvertently get knocked over.

FL Public Adjusters’ Tip #3: Follow All Instructions

Once you’ve found the ideal spot and set the heater up, make it a point to follow all of the instructions that came with the unit. Otherwise, you could cause a fire as well as void the heater manufacturer’s warranty.

FL Public Adjusters’ Tip #4: Keep in Contact

Lastly, we’d suggest that you keep in periodic contact with us. That way, if a home heater fire does occur, we can help you settle your insurance claim quickly. To reach our Florida public adjusters year round, please call (877) 869-8989 or (516) 843-4040.

Florida Public Adjusters" Tips for Preventing Space Heater Fires

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