Insurance Claims Help: Homeowners In Georgia Should Always Obtain A Second Opinion!

Written By: Joseph Brennan on November 15, 2009 No Comment

Too many policyholders rely on their insurance company to visit their property, inspect their claim, and provide a claim settlement for their damages. This should almost NEVER HAPPEN!

I’m not insinuating that there isn’t any good, hard working, professional adjusters remaining out there. I’m also not insinuating that all the adjusters are not trustworthy, or that all adjusters are trying to cheat people. There are many professional and courteous adjusters that go above the call of duty for many policyholders. However, are we so blind an delusional to think that an adjuster can’t make mistakes, that there will never be an adjuster that misses hidden damages, or that every adjuster who works for you insurance company has multiple years of experience with the type of claim on your building? Not Very Likely!

Have you ever obtained a second opinion before having a mechanic do major work on your car? Have you; or anyone you know; ever secured a second opinion before having surgery? A second opinion when hiring a landscaper, hen buying a computer, or when hiring a contractor? Have you ever obtained more than one estimate to have work done on your home? Excuse me for assuming that you’ve answered a very loud and proud “YES,” to more than one of these questions, or al for that matter. Then why will policyholders (homeowners and business owners) allow the insurance company’s adjuster to out-right “TELL THEM,” what the damages of their insurance claim will cost?

Most insurance adjusters have learned how to pass an insurance claim exam and learned how to use an insurance estimating program… but have never worked on an insurance repair job. Many have never built or repaired a home, nor have they ever worked for any type of Construction Company. Chances are they will miss something needed to properly complete the repairs of your claim.

Simply put, this is what you have been paying for all this time. To be protected when you have a claim. It is YOUR money, it is YOUR insurance policy, it is YOUR property, which in turn makes it YOUR responsibility to protect yourself from mistakes or from being taken advantage of. Again, the insurance company adjuster could be 100% accurate with the final analysis and estimate numbers for your claim damages. Regardless of what you think may be true, YOU should be sure. Policyholders need to have an independent insurance appraiser or contractor provide them with a line item, detailed estimate that will ensure their adjuster was correct.

What Is A Line Item, Detailed Estimate?

Some contractors use a complete square foot price for replacing a roof or siding, however, the insurance company will usually request that the estimate be broken-down per line-item. Using an example of a roof replacement; the insurance companies need to view each process and layer of the work being preformed on the roof. They also need to view each type of material that is being used. These should all be listed separately. Here’s a detailed, line-item estimate example; [I:http://insurance.bafree.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/JoeBrennan0.gif]

The numbers in the estimate example are fictitious; however, it reveals the basics of a Line-Item, Detailed, Insurance Damage Estimate. Each line item is separated in full detail, as well as displaying the description, quantity, unit cost, and total for each of the separate materials and items. This type of detail is needed, and in many cases required, so the insurance companies can view and compare each of the separate items and each items unit costs with their own numbers. By submitting an insurance claim estimate that is formatted in the format requested by the insurance companies, results in a much faster claim settlement.

In events when their is an insurance claim dispute; by issuing the more detailed estimate provides a much smoother, less time consuming process. It’s highly difficult for your insurance company to dispute a insurance claim estimate that was submitted to them in the format that they have requested.

Protect yourself, educate yourself, and watch out for yourself by simply obtaining another opinion on any or all insurance claim damages you may incur. If you’re not willing to obtain insurance claim help and you’re not willing to look out for yourself… Then Who Will?

Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will review your insurance claim FREE – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Get Insurance Claim Help , by visiting http://www.insuranceclaimsgroup.com , or Fire Insurance Claims Help