How To Deal With Insurance Adjusters After A Damage Claim
What started as a small cooking fire quickly escalated when Vanessa and David’s son mistakenly flamed, rather than extinguished, the grease fire. While no one was hurt, the fire damaged just about everything in the vicinity of the stove and filled the house with smoke.
Is your insurance company’s claims adjuster helping or hurting your claim?
To make matters worse, soon after meeting with the insurance company’s claims adjuster, the family received a check significantly less than the cost to restore their kitchen and home. Thankfully, after advocating for what they needed, the family prevailed in their claim.
If there is one lesson you could learn here it’s this: even when the cause of your damage seems pretty straightforward, there may be associated problems to address. Knowing what to expect when filing an insurance claim and how to talk to with your insurance company’s adjusters and claim team could help you get the compensation you deserve to restore, replace or repair your home faster and with much less stress.
Here’s what you need to know before meeting an Insurance Claims Adjuster:
- Making a Claim: First you should know that your insurance agent or broker does not determine the amount or what damage is covered by your insurance company. In fact, the insurance company has an entire department to handle claims. This usually includes a desk adjuster (your point of contact) and a field adjuster (the person who will come to your property) and their supervisor.
- The Field Adjuster: This person will investigate the damage, assess the cause, review your proof of loss list, and determine what work is required to repair, replace or restore the damaged property.
- Meeting the Field Adjuster: Do your best to be present for any inspections of the damage and, if possible, consider having an insurance lawyer present. You can answer any questions as well as provide the adjuster with your proof of loss list.
- Be Honest: The goal of your meeting with the field adjuster is to describe what happened, give the details of the damage and the cause. Provide only the facts! Do not add your opinion. In fact, doing so could negatively impact the settlement amount, which is why it’s helpful to have an insurance attorney present for the meeting.
One final tip to keep in mind. An insurance claim is a business transaction. Be organized, be prepared and be professional. Avoid signing any document until you have reviewed and fully understand everything it contains. Do you have questions about how to work with your home insurance company? Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.
The information provided here is intended for informational purposes and should not be considered legal advice.
About Desir Law Firm
Attorney Leonard Desir is the founder of Desir Law Firm, a boutique insurance law office representing only insurance policyholders. We work with homeowners, renters, homeowner associations (HOAs), condominium associations, small and mid-sized businesses, and commercial property investors throughout the State of Florida.
When damage happens to your home or business, you have enough to worry about without having to worry about whether your insurance company will act in your best interests. Learn how Desir Law Firm can help you with your insurance damage claim. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.
