Home Insurance Claims: What To Do & How to Handle Adjusters
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- Home insurance claims are hard. This video will help explain how they work and how to deal with adjusters so that your claims process can go as smoothly as possible. Insurance claims adjusters are not the bad guys, but they do need some help from you, and this video will give you some tips on dealing with them.
-------CONTENTS-------
0:00 intro
0:40 What to do before turning in the claim
2:20 How to file a home insurance claim
6:49 What is going to happen after I file a home insurance claim?
12:00 How to deal with claims adjusters
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Just settled my claim thanks to the advice received from this channel. I filed a complaint with the state insurance commission and it worked wonders. I ended up getting five times my original settlement. I agree now that I have been through this process that getting an attorney should be the very last resort. Actually the appraisal clause is in my policy and I didn’t even have to do that. Thanks again Beaux!
Glad to hear the claim worked out so well for you. Sorry you had to go that route, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
Wrong about adjuster trying to make home owners happy and not ripping off home owners. False.
Mizra, Sorry to see that you have had a bad claims experience. Our agency vets our companies to make sure the claims experience is as good and fair as possible. My experience if based on companies like we work with. My suggestion would be to find a new agent that has similar standards. Let me know what state you live in and I will refer you to someone.
American Family tried every dirty tick in the book not to pay me. I made signs hot pink and started to distribute all over town that said American Faimly Insurance doesn't pay claims 3 feet high and I threatened Arizona dept of insurance. I had all my money in 3 hours.
They say don't get emotional, wth not? Yep, it's just about how far you are willing to go to get paid every penny :)
What a story! I don’t represent that company, so I don’t have experience with them. I don’t represent companies that don’t take care of my clients. I care too much about my reputation and my clients.
To a point... If the homeowner is ready to change insurance providers or file complaint with the insurance commissioner, then they might be interested in making the customer happy.
Idk what kind of insurance company you work with lol but the ones around here aren’t interested in people. They are interested in denying claims period.
Thanks for the input! I’m calling for the first time today.
The fact that if you file a claim causes the insurance company to raise your rates is truly unbelievable. The perfect scenario is to have the homeowner pay the premiums for life and never had file a claim, even though the point o f having insurance is supposed to be for protection. Let's be honest, the point of any insurance company is to pay the least amount or none if possible.
This is not always the case. I have been an agent for 30 years. This does not always happen. It is just a fact. I also have a question. Since the prices of your insurance is based on things like: age, credit, location of your home, limit of insurance on your home, and claims history. I think we can also agree some claims are avoidable with proper maintenance of your home. (ie changing supply water lines regularly, trimming tree limbs away from home, replacing your roof when it exceeds its life expectancy) The question is, understanding this, should a person with no claims be rewarded for their proactive maintenance to minimize the likely hood of a claim with a discount?
@@BeauxKnowsInsurance When a copper water line bursts inside the wall and causes severe water damage, it's kind of difficult to not file a claim. You have water mitigation then a rebuild and all the other headaches that come with that. Then, there's always the risk of having another leak down the road, so I had to have the entire house repiped and insurance pays none of it, that's 12K dollars out of my pocket. Am I expected to proactively change the pipes just because they might leak? The insurance companies want you to pay more and give out less, it's any business model that ultimately takes advantage of the consumer, and that goes for any kind of insurance in any field.
@@oldkid6 No insurance policy is designed to pay for that. They pay for damages. Not upgrades. Insurance is designed to make a person as they were pre-claim. Not put them into a better position. Your scenario put you into a better position since you decided to upgrade your plumbing. That is not part of the deal you agreed to when you bought your home policy.
@@BeauxKnowsInsurance I know that the insurance wasn't going to cover the water pipe bursting. However, just filing a claim for the subsequent damages is going to ding my "rating". The only point I'm trying to make is that there are no winners with insurance, period.
@@oldkid6 You may not have a "ding" it depends on the company you are using. It could be that your agent did not make it clear to you how your policy worked. Some companies give claims free discounts, some give first-claim accident forgiveness, and some do neither. Your agent should have explained this to you. Regardless, it sounds like you had a bad experience. I am sorry to hear that, it does not have to be that way. We try hard for there to be no surprises.
Great walkthrough of the process! Thank you.
Glad it helped.
👏 Thank you for providing this video to help people understand - cat adjuster
Glad to. Thank you for the kind words.
great video! sir
Thank you
This is a great video! Question - how do you handle insurance companies that refuse to work with third party claim handlers? Thanks!
Insurance companies are not required to work with third parties unless there is a dispute. They have their trained staff or relationships that they have established and prefer to use them as they are already vetted.
You could present to the company an alternative estimate to the insurance company and then try to get them to adjust to meet your findings. Understand the insurance company does not have to do this.
This is one of those instances when using your charm first will go a long way.
If you believe the insurance company is missing something and you can validate it with a third party, you can push to have the claim looked into further. If you have something from a 3rd party that disagrees with your adjuster, you will do well to make sure it is a professional estimation presented in a professional and thorough manner.
Many policies have a provision allowing you to hire your own adjuster and then present those findings to the insurance company. This would be at your expense.
A mediator would also have to be hired, this expense would be shared with the insurance company.
Wow i never new insurance companys would be so helpful, caus it never happened to me
They can be. Also, be sure to ask your agent from your agent. If you agent is unwilling to help you, fire them and hire a new agent.
We help our clients with their claims at my office.
We are just about 5 weeks in and don’t have a reasonable settlement. They offered us 15000.00 and only 8300.00 is payable now thanks to a monstrous deductible (3500) and recoverable depreciation. The estimates are all coming in at twice that (30000.00). To say that this has been a nightmare would be an understatement. Homesite. So as of right now we have 8,000 to do 30,000 plus worth of work. They consider the claim closed by the way even though I told them I wasn’t accepting their offer.
Very sorry to hear of the issue.
If you have more than one estimate for the damages, make sure the insurance company is aware of that, provide a copy to them. If you have not done so yet, talk to a supervisor and your agent. Your agent should be helping you.
If you don't get a resolution, report to the commission of insurance's office. it would be the department of insurance for your state. (glad to help locate that if you can not find it) Many times this gets the company moving.
Deductible: your agent should have made you aware of this to begin with. If they did not, it is time to get a new agent.
Recoverable depreciation: Unfotunately ALL policies have this built into them. This is to ensure the work gets done. I have no doubt, you intend to repair your property, too often others have pocketed the money and not done the work.
Try the above suggestions and let me know how it goes. If I can help, I will.
Thanks Beau for the response. I’ll will definitely take the appropriate steps that you outlined. I’ve already given them 2 estimates from contractors so hopefully that part helps. Thanks again for this great channel!
Hi again Beaux. I just have a follow up question as I am still going through this process. I took your advice and filed a complaint with the insurance commissioner. The question is that my adjuster is asking that our contractors provide a lifetime inequity for the work to recover the depreciation. I think that’s what he called it. Is this a pretty standard practice by home insurance companies? Thanks again!
@@larrymcelroy1783 I have not seen that as a request, but that may be something particular to your state. What state are you in?
Michigan.
Take care of me? My insurance adjuster offered me $1,800 to replace a $8,000 shed including removal of the shed and tree of my shed. I had to pay $2,400 out of my pocket for removal of shed and tree removal. Insurance adjusters are serpents.
Sorry to hear. There could have been coverage limitations that need to be addressed by your agent. Policies do have limits on each coverage and you may have maxed them out. I don’t know without seeing your policy. I would encourage you to review with your agent. If you don’t like what they tell you, get a new agent.
@@BeauxKnowsInsurance Ice storm, it was a rental property..never filed a claim in my life.....
Many of the policies for rental property are more limited on other structures. I hate that you had a bad experience. Glad to review your current policy to help make sure that does not happen again.
Wonder can you or anyone get a lawyer for your situation as people do for car accidents lawyer that fight for you to get more..does it apply for home insurers
@@ceya733 If you have a homeowners or business policy and make a claim under that you can hire and attorney or licensed public adjuster to represent you. In some cases all parties may be required to arbitrate or submit to independent appraisal for cost that remain in dispute. A homeowners policy is a contract between the insured and the insurance company so the concept of "getting more" doesn't really apply. Exact repair cost and contract application can be determined by people with expert knowledge. Section two of a homeowners policy extends coverage to people who do not have a contract with an insurance carrier. (my tree falls on your house) (you fall on my icy sidewalk after I invite you over). The idea of "getting more" with professional help applies to subjective losses such as pain and suffering from the fall.
If my house is totally destroyed beyond repair. Do i have to rebuild the same home or any home that fits the allowed insured amount?
You can build any house you want. You will be locked into the limit only in that they will not pay more than that.
The company will pay the lesser of these: The amount it takes to repair, replace, or rebuild your home.
If the home costs less than your limit, they pay you that much
The home costs you more than your limit, then they will pay up to your limit.
If you don't want to build at all, they give you a check for the market value of your home.
Make sure to have the roofer or whoever comes first for emergency repairs take lots of photos
Great advice.
@@BeauxKnowsInsurance I’m a pretty new adjuster and that’s a issue I run into a lot. Especially for roof claims!
@@idevourherosagreed. Best advice an agent can give their customer. Get a reputable roof to look first, make emergency repairs if needed, and take pictures.
thanks for weighing in.
I'm new to this. Question. How many roofing contractors can I have at the initial adjusters meeting? I haven't decided which one to go with although I've talked to three and they all seem pretty good. I hope you see this and reply quickly. My adjuster's meeting is on Tuesday. Thank you... 🤗
I hate to ask one of the roofing contractors this question so here I am... 😊
@@gloriasilence I would not ask more than one to be there. The adjuster may be a little on guard when the roofer shows up unless you let them know and explain why you want the roofer there.
You may let the adjuster know by saying “I would like my roofer to be there so they can understand the scope of work and they don’t have to reply on me to explain since I am not a roofer. Their name is _______, have you worked with them before?”
You may ask each contractor if they have worked with your insurance company and if they know the adjuster by name. If they are friendly, the one who does might be your best option.
What if adjuster states I am not covered off the bat. State two yrs earlier google photo showed 3 rows of shingles missing. Not true. However one shingle was loose on the roof. Called it a pre existing condition.
I would push back.
Take a look at the different online products out there to see if there are disputing satellite images (Bing Maps, Google Earth, ETC)
Think if you have any pictures or your agent by chance has any that would show the roof.
Also, Do you have proof of when the roof was replaced.
I would push back.
Also, has a reputable roofer (one with a lot of google reviews) look at it and give you some feedback.
My insurance is claimin gthey decide what mynitemized list is and is forcing their peoples on me otherwise it has to get "approved" ny house got ran into Saturday insurance didn't get back to me until Tuesday
Sorry, I don't follow the first half of your statement. But Saturday to Tuesday sounds fairly fast. Most company claims departments are closed on the weekends.
My Insurance agent did not give me enough coverage. That's her job to make sure her clients are protected. She failed to do her ethical duty.
Just needed to sell me Insurance. My garage was covered up to $20,000.00. Had a tornado and it was demolished . Cost of damages was $28,000.00.
Please connected with them. If the adjuster came sure everything would make sure it comes under that as well as take to him further procedure process. When sending loss draft department make sure ur check fully endorsed mature adjust the report all pages are available also send outgoing envelope create CPP portal.
I had a plumbing company install pipes the wrong way into my home. The Manager came out and saw the mess and offered a full refund, the rep spilled primer all over my tub and counters which I cant remove.
My pipes dont work and I have whole in my wall that didn't need it. The sent me off to their insurance company for a claim. Im so lost on what happens next. I just want my home made whole again, I have no shower now and my anxiety is thru the roof Im on meds now.
The only thing that insurance will cover is the damage to the tub. You can file this on your policy but I would suggest to file that under their policy.
Also, the contractor should make the plumbing right, pay for the damage to the tub (or replace it) and fix any other damage.
If they will not, I would suggest contacting an attorney. Take plenty of pictures as it is right now. If you make any repairs, keep up with receipts.
Does that help.
@@iablueprint this helps a lot, I have a meeting with their insurance team next week regarding property damaged from the primer all over my tub and countertops. Tx I appreciate your words of expertise.
How much. The adjuster charge ?
The adjuster is usually paid by the insurance company and not billed to the client. Usually it is an hourly rate that varies depending on specialized the claim is.
Loss adjusters are comical 😂
lol.
The system is messed up. Needs to be revamped to protect the consumer. Insurance agency just try to sell you coverage without any expertise or knowledge of how much coverage you need.
Please feel free to explain how the system could be made better.
Your blanket statement is not accurate. That would be like me saying "no insured understands insurance, or all insureds like to hide details about their claims history." Just simply not true.
If you have had an experience where an agency has not given you advise or been willing to discuss your coverage needs, maybe you need to hire a new agent. Or just buy it online without an agent, if you have the answers you need, know what you want, and have in-depth knowledge of the insurance contract.
What about insurance companies that refuse to work with third party adjusters?
Answered below for you.
Adjusters routinely work with what you call third party adjusters. They are actually called public adjusters and are licensed by the state as are insurance adjusters who work for carriers. Public adjusters are licensed to handle the insured's claim much the same as an attorney can. Company adjusters cannot refuse to work with public adjusters if the insured has hired them as their representative.
😂 Adjusters don’t have insurance companies bottom line in mind. 👌🏼
haha. Well, no doubt it is a balancing act of keeping their employer happy and also the customer. But at the end of the day, if they abide by the insurance policy, pay for damages, and pay at the market price, they will accomplish both.
I was with you until you told me to put the fire out.
Insurance= Racket
adjuster are not there to help you lol
i would dissagreee, but you are entitled to your opinion.
@@BeauxKnowsInsurance they work for the insurance, i am a contractor never has an adjuster claim has been fair or correct sir.
Never!
Adjusters aren’t human, they don’t give a fuuuuuuuuuuh about you or your situation. 100% of adjusters will have a 50% lower estimate than any contractor across the board. Get a lawyer off the rip, trust me
Absolutely not true. Statistically fact, claims are handled faster, and the insured receives more without an attorney involved. When an attorney is involved, the claim process takes months, not weeks, and the attorney gets a large portion of the settlement. These are facts.
Actually that is not true. Most insurance carriers and contractors now use a program called xactimate that furnishes both carriers and contractors with highly accurate estimates of material and labor cost. All contractors are in agreement with the carriers and homeowners before the work is started. repairs that are discovered after the work starts are allowed and honored as supplemental estimates in most cases. It is standard practice for adjusters and licensed contractors to walk the loss together to reach agreement on covered damage. Lawyers don't know crap about building cost in most cases and must depend on licensed contractors to determine cost.
That's bull. The adjuster is not for you .
They are human beings. Most humans want to get along with others.
Wrong, most likely the insurance company will deny your claim. You’ll never get paid
I assume you’re joking since your statement is completely factually not true.
David, your insurance policy is a contract. Adjusters who deny your claim when the contract covers your damage can be severely punished and sued for breach of contract. This seldom happens on routine claims. If your claim is denied the law in most states require you receive a written letter stating the reason for denial and must point out the specific policy language used to make that determination of coverage. Maybe you should read your insurance policy and if you can't understand it, discuss it with your agent.
You make adjusters sound like good people and they're not. Who are you kidding? You really don't value our intelligence.. Adjusters are NOT humans who just "make mistakes". They're from hell. They are there to rip you off and save the insurance company. money.
lol. Okay. I assume you are joking to make drastic generalizations like that.
Adjusters may work for the insurance company and if so they are on a salary. they get nothing for saving the carrier money. They are there to apply the policy contract to the damages suffered. Independent adjusters are paid for the estimate they write. if they write a bigger estimate, they get paid more money for the extra time required. therefore they are highly motivated to include every bit of possible covered damage so they can present a higher billing. Incidentally most carriers instruct independents to include everything because they hate to re-open paid claims and incur unnecessary expense of a second inspection.
Bla bla bla
hahaha. Thank you for the comment.
Have zero sympathy for adjustors or loan officers.
@@SaintlySaavy I would just focus on treating then “saintly”
@@vir70eli72 we all have a job to do. Their’s is to represent their company’s interests. Not saying to treat the badly or with disrespect, I’m saying I acknowledge that they have a job to do and it’s NOT in the interest of the insured, but the insurer.