Disaster strikes, and you’re left at a crossroads. With a mangled house, destroyed belongings and no idea how to move forward, the last thing you want is to lose even more time and money. Most home damages are covered by insurance, but it can be a huge process to begin your home repairs, much less get the money you need for repairs. A disaster, whether it be a fire, flood, or earthquake, can severely damage your home, and the cost to rebuild may be extreme! For this reason, most have home insurance that will cover the bulk of costs when disasters like this happen. 

In home damage situations, there are several moving parts: a public adjuster, a contractor, and your insurance agency. Unfortunately, many people will go on without a public adjuster, leaving them with much more to pay out of pocket and an unreliable repair timeline. Let’s examine what role each player has in the process to see how you can avoid the insurance mess. 

Role of Your Insurance Company

The first point of contact in a property claims case is your insurance company. As soon as theft, damage or disaster happens to your property or home, file a claim with your insurance company. An insurance adjuster will investigate your claim and set your settlement price. Keep in mind that the company-appointed insurance adjuster is not the same as a public adjuster. This settlement price is the monetary value associated with the damage. It is meant to cover the entirety of the replacement or reconstruction cost after theft or disaster. However, oftentimes, insurance, in the name of saving themselves money, will lowball you. Those who are unfamiliar with the process may accept the claim at face value only to find out that the actual repair and replacement costs are thousands of dollars more than the settlement provided.

Role of a Public Adjuster

Public adjusters are your right-hand men in this scenario. While insurance companies work to save themselves the most money, public adjusters fight for a fair settlement. Public adjusters are state-licensed professionals who are well-versed in insurance laws and practices. They will carefully asses the damage and review your insurance coverage. They also take into account damages that may not always be visible but will end up costing the homeowner money in the long run. Your public adjuster will then send your detailed and revised claim information to your insurance as a counter. Insurance companies recognize public adjusters as authoritative and reputable sources and generally accept the claim. Homeowners are then able to get thousands more dollars than the original claim to cover the entirety of the repair or replacement. 

Role of a Contractor

First and foremost, contractors CANNOT act as public adjusters. Sometimes, contractors will try to take advantage of homeowners who have just suffered loss and offer to help handle the insurance claim. Unless they are properly licensed, this is illegal. A contractor’s job is solely to repair your home or property. Many insurance companies provide you with a list of reputable contractors to choose from. You are also able to do your own research. Talk to your public adjuster to see if they have recommendations. Note that a public adjuster should not act as your contractor, as this is a conflict of interests.

Hiring a Public Insurance Adjuster

Property Claims Consultants have handled hundreds of insurance claims settlements and have the know-how to get you the settlement money you deserve. Contact us today for an easy and simple insurance claims process.

While California is one of the most desirable places to live in the United States with beaches, mountains and deserts all within a few hours of each other. However, geographically, California is prone to havoc-wreaking natural disasters like floods and earthquakes. That along with the high cost of living can be a nightmare for a homeowner who faces any sort of disaster.

A disaster, whether it be a fire, flood, or earthquake, can severely damage your home, and the cost to rebuild may be extreme! For this reason, most have home insurance that will cover the bulk of costs when disasters like this happen.

However, this is not always the case. Insurance companies often don’t have your best interests in mind and will give you too low of an insurance settlement to properly restore your home. We’ll get into how to avoid this later.

Is Home Insurance Required in California?

Short answer – no, home insurance is not required in California. Do we recommend it – 100%. Even though it is not mandated, many mortgage providers will require a homebuyer to have home insurance. They do this so that in case your house is damaged, you can have it repaired and still pay your mortgage payment at the same time. On the other hand, if your home faces large damages and you aren’t under insurance coverage, you may not be able to pay your mortgage lender, leaving them at a loss. 

What Does Home Insurance Cover

Not all coverage is created equal. Look at your policy in depth to see the extent of your coverage. Many insurance policies will cover the following: 

• Interior and exterior damage to the home
• Loss of or damage to personal property
• Injury that occurs while on the property
• Weather damages

Keep in mind that while most insurance policies will cover disasters, they do not cover earthquakes. We suggest California homeowners also purchase earthquake insurance.

How Much Does Home Insurance Cost in California

Thankfully, even with a high cost of living, California does not sit at the top of the chart for home insurance costs. The average homeowner pays an annual premium of about $1,250, which is about $104 per month. This lower cost may be attributed to limited coverage, like no earthquake coverage, which can cost around $739 annually, so in actuality, it all pans out pretty evenly. External factors that may affect your premium include your credit score and the recency of your last claim.

What to Do When My Home Faces Damages

Once again, living in such a beautiful state does come with its downfalls. Disasters in California are often devastating for homeowners. The first step to take after your home faces damages is to call your insurance company to file a claim. After this, be sure to contact your mortgage services in case you can’t make your payments. Often, insurance providers will lowball your damages, leaving you to cover much of the cost out of pocket.

Hiring a Claims Consultant

Property Claims Consultants works with your insurance provider to bring you a higher settlement. Without a claims consultant, you could end up paying thousands of dollars on your own. Save your time and money by hiring a dedicated team to get you the settlement you deserve. Contact us today to see how you can get a high settlement.