So your home was broken into, your flat screen TV, electronics, cash and all of your heirloom jewelry was stolen. Thanks to receipts and recent valuations of your jewelry, you know exactly what everything was worth. You submitted this in your insurance claim. Your insurance company seems to think that the value of your items is quite a bit lower. But you know, they’re your items, why should the insurance agent decide how much you receive for a loss of precious items?

You may leave this scenario feeling scammed, disappointed, and distrustful. 

Unfortunately, this scenario is all to common when it comes to filing insurance claims. Even being an excellent patron, paying premiums and staying safe, when disaster does strike, it may feel like your insurance turns its back on you with underpaid or denied claims. 

Let’s explore how to spot red flags, know your rights, and how and when to get help from a public adjuster.

 

 What “Being Scammed” by Your Insurer Actually Looks Like

Being aware of what is fair and what is not under your contract can help you quickly identify insurance scams that will leave you with insufficient funds to repair or replace your damaged or lost belongings. 

Claim delays with no clear explanation:

many insurance companies will advertise fast claim payouts to entice customers. While small claims may take just a few days to a few weeks, complex claims can take months, leaving the homeowner with damages and lacking proper payout to repair them. This delay, if unexplained, is often used to get homeowners to either give up on the claim or settle for less. They are hoping that you wont know that you have insurance rights with state protections and resources like public adjusters who can fight this injustice. 

 

Lowball settlements that don’t cover real costs:

As mentioned in the scenario above, lowball settlements can feel insulting to homeowners who lost valuable items or faced real damages. Insurance adjusters use serious lowballs to avoid high settlements, which ultimately cost the company money.

 

Denial for vague reasons or small technicalities:

Insurance companies will sometimes intenionally delay a claim so that somewhere along the way, you, the policyholder, will mess up and they can use the mistake as grounds for denying or reducing your payout. Creating stressful deadlines, complex requests and long processes, the insurance company hopes that the policyholder will get stress or frustrated causing a slip-up. 

 

Why Do Insurance Companies Do This?

Unfortunately, insurance companies make money by charging high premiums and offering low settlements. In fact, their algorithms and internal insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts to give policyholders as little as necessary, and sometimes even less!

How do you get around this? While an insurance adjuster may not be on your team, a public adjuster is. Licensed public adjusters like those at Property Claim Consultants work with policyholders to maximize claims and ensure fair payouts. 

 

How a Public Adjuster Protects You From Getting Burned

Public adjusters offer independent damage inspection along with full documentation. This allows us to hand the insurance and professional and expert report of what we are owed. Public adjusters like those at Property Claim Consultants also know the ins and outs of the insurance industry, the policy language, and common scams. 

Need help with a home insurance claim? Let Property Claims Consultant guide you through the process and ensure you receive the full payout you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation!

Research has found that about 1 in 5 California residents live in areas prone to flooding, 66% in areas at high risk for earthquakes, and 10% in areas at high risk for wildfires. Despite this, LendingTree found that 10.5% of California homeowners lack homeowners insurance. What happens if disaster strikes and your home isn’t insured? More likely than not, if you aren’t prepared to pay for extensive damages out of pocket, you will lose your home. The simple solution? Homeowners insurance. Let’s dive into the details of homeowners’ insurance and how you can ensure that you are protected no matter what.  

What Is Home Insurance & Why Is It Important?

 

Home insurance falls under the umbrella of property insurance and it covers losses and damage to your home. It also protects belongings inside your home from theft or destruction. Home insurance policies generally cover interior and exterior damage, loss or damage to personal assets, and injury that arises while on the property. 

Home insurance helps homeowners protect themselves and their belongings from unexpected circumstances. This protection can save the homeowner thousands of dollars in home repairs and the cost of replacing lost belongings. Some of the most common types of disaster, the remediation of which relies on homeowners’ insurance, are water, fire, and smoke damage, often caused by natural disasters or home plumbing issues. 

While homeowners’ insurance is not legally required in the United States, many mortgage lenders require homeowners to have insurance coverage as a part of the loan terms. However, if you own your home outright, you are not required to have coverage. In this case, the money saved simply doesn’t outweigh the risk. 

What Home Insurance Covers & What It Doesn’t

It is essential to keep in mind that typical homeowners’ insurance policies offer coverage for some disasters, but not for others. Working with a trusted public adjuster can help you better understand your coverage and how to receive a fair and proper payout in the case of a disaster.

 

Covered Perils: Fire, theft, storm damage, vandalism, etc. 

Exclusions: Floods, earthquakes, neglect, and intentional damage

 

When to Hire a Public Adjuster for Home Insurance Claims

Unfortunately, even though homeowners’ insurance serves to protect homeowners from losing their homes or paying exuberant amounts out of pocket, insurance companies will oftentimes try to skirt these responsibilities to the detriment of the homeowner. Homeowners will end up being severely lowballed and have to pay tens of thousands out of pocket to repair their homes. This is where a public adjuster comes in. A public adjuster works with homeowners to fight insurance companies in order to receive proper settlements. Qualified public adjusters will asses the home’s damage, and submit an appeal with insurance, negotiating until they have reached a reasonable setllement payout. Property Claims Consultants is a trusted name on the West Coast for evaluating damage and adjusting public. 

Need help with a home insurance claim? Let Property Claims Consultant guide you through the process and ensure you receive the full payout you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation!

Fire can utterly destroy your property, leaving nothing but carnage and ash behind. If your home does survive a wildfire or housefire, it is unlikely you have made it completely out of the woods. The heat produced by the flames radiated and caused items around the fire to burn, crack or shatter, not to mention the smoke and ash generated by burning vegetation and surrounding homes creating large volumes of smoke and ash.
Homes and businesses have been ruined not just by the fire itself but also by the smoke that permeated everything in its vicinity.
After experiencing smoke in your home, is it important to contact your insurance to file a claim and to contact a smoke damage restoration specialist. Let’s take a closer look at what smoke damage is, how it enters the home, what it affects, and what to do when you experience smoke damage.

Understanding Smoke Damage

Smoke enters your home through open windows, doors, cracks and gaps around windows, HVAC units, bathroom fans, and small openings in the building structure. Even if all of your windows are closed, smoke particles can still seep through and infiltrate your home.

Smoke damage refers to physical damage to a building caused not by fire, but by smoke. Smoke contains several different types of acids, the makeup of which is determined by the fire. For the most part, this smoke will contain carbon and sulfur. Depending on both the kind of smoke and the kind of metals you have around your house, the smoke can tarnish or even erode metals in and around your home, including destroying door handles, hinges, pipes, appliances and more. With the erosion of necessary elements like pipes, your home may, in turn face water damage.

Aside from destroying metals, smoke also embeds itself in any porous material in your home, effectively discoloring and ruining it. This includes hardwood floors, countertops, tiles, and walls. The acidic properties we talked about earlier are also known to shred paint and wallpaper.

The effects of fire smoke are widespread and virtually permanent. Smoke damage in your home isn’t prevented just by removing smoke from your home; it takes professional services to do a full home cleaning and smoke removal to ensure your home is safe.

What Items in Your Home Are Most Affected by Smoke Damage?

Unfortunately, smoke ruins nearly everything in its path, including your furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing, upholstery, documents, and artwork.

Carpets: Carpets and rugs made of synthetic fabric may be permanently stained in just a few days. Cleaning must be done before the damage is permanent.
Furniture & Upholstery: Smoke particles embed into fabric, causing discoloration and odor. It is important to use specific cleaning agents that will remove smoke debris and residue without damaging the fabric.

Electronics & Appliances: Smoke residue corrodes internal components and affects performance. Since the smoke can easily infiltrate the inner workings of your electronics, the electrical components can be damaged quite easily.

Clothing & Fabrics: Absorbs smoke odor and may require specialized cleaning. Throwing you clothing into the washer may just spread or set the soot rather than remove it.

Can You Clean Smoke-Damaged Items, or Should You Replace Them?

The process of cleaning up smoke damage should start immediately after your home is effect. In just a few minutes, the health of your belongings and home is already affected, and in days, irreparable damage will be caused. The best thing to do is to call in the experts. Unfortunately, things will be irreparably damaged by the smoke. It is important to have experienced public adjusters on your side who can adequately assess and document the damage, file your claim and dispute unfair payouts.  

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Smoke Damage?

Typically, homeowners insurance covers costs to repair or rebuild your home, the cost to replace your belongings and extra expenses while you are unable to live in your home. However, insurance companies usually do not like to pay for thorough inspections and are stingy with their coverage. Not to mention, there are often damages unbeknownst to the homeowner and insurance company that are not visible to the naked eye. Because of this, homeowners should always hire a professional restoration company and a trusted public adjuster. Property Claims Consultants help residents of Southern California file claims, assess damages, rebuild homes and get fair settlements. Working directly with the homeowner, we are on your side throughout the entire process. Contact us to start rebuilding your home and your life following fire or smoke damage. 

 

California wildfires are known for being some of the most expansive, dangerous, and decimating natural disasters in the country. Over the last five years, the United States has experienced 344 significant fires that have caused billions of dollars in damage. California has the most wildfire damage in the country.
As the smoke clears in Los Angeles and residents are taking note of what has been lost to the fire, many are returning home to charred belongings and flattened homes. The swift and sudden nature of these disasters mean that many homeowners don’t have much time to gather their belongings, take note of their possessions and leave their homes.
Homeowners are facing huge emotional and financial tolls as they attempt to pick of the pieces of a life burnt to the ground. In the midst of the recovery and grieving, homeowners are simultaneously having to navigate complex insurance claims.
Property Claims Consultant helps residents of Southern California, namely San Diego County and Los Angeles County, receive high settlement claims after they face home damage like fire, flood and earthquakes.

Immediate Steps After a House Fire

Before thinking about insurance claims, first ensure yourself, your family and your pets are safe and out of the way of the fire.

1.Ensure Safety

• • Your city will alert you if your are in an area at risk of succumbing to the fire and will order an evacuation. It is important to obey the order promptly, gathering things of high importance that can be moved easily. Evacuate your home to safe location away from the fire. Many relief organizations provide lists of places that offer sanctuary to those affected.

 

2. Document the Damage

• • After you are permitted to return to your area, document the damage thoroughly with pictures and videos. Compile a list of what was lost to the fire.

3. Reach out to Insurance and a Claims Consultant

1. • Reach out to your home insurance to file a claim. If you are at all skeptical about the claims process, hiring a claims consultant can help streamline your process and win you the highest available settlement so that you can fully restore your home and replace your belongings.

 Common Challenges in Fire Restoration Claims

Unfortunately, the struggle doesn’t stop after the fire has subsided. The next battle is with your insurance company. Often times and unfortunately, large insurance providers will lowball your settlement estimates so that they won’t have to pay as much for repairs and rebuilds. This is particularly harmful after a homeowner or renter is in a time of grief following a property disaster. Public Adjusters fight for the rights of the homeowners against insurance providers to help homeowners get fair compensation for damages. 

Undervaluation of Property Loss

Insurance companies can undervalue home damage claims by using tactics like: delaying the claims process, disputing the severity of the damage, attributing damage to pre-existing issues, using low-ball settlement offers, misinterpreting policy language, and relying heavily on their own inspections while downplaying evidence provided by the policyholder; essentially trying to minimize their payout by finding reasons to reduce the estimated repair costs.

Delays in Claim Processing

Insurance companies can delay the claims process by requesting unnecessary documentation, failing to conduct timely investigations, assigning new claims adjusters frequently, asking for information in increments, stalling investigations, and generally creating bureaucratic hurdles to make it difficult for claimants to navigate the process. This is usually done in efforts to deter the homeowner from continuing to pursue the claim further.

Disputes Over Coverage

Insurance companies dispute coverage to deny a claim by citing specific exclusions or limitations within the policy language, arguing that the situation presented by the insured falls outside the scope of covered events, often pointing to factors like pre-existing conditions, lack of proper documentation, or claiming the incident was not “accidental” as defined in the policy.

 How Property Claims Consultant Can Help With Fire Damage Insurance Claims

The Property Claims Consultant team is well-versed in insurance law, policy jargon, and disputing settlements for our clients. With millions of dollars won back from our customers, placing your damage in the hands of the Property Claims Consultant means securing the future of your home, a smooth rebuild, and a restoration of your belongings. We understand how devastating fires can be, and how difficult it can be to piece your life back together after a wildfire. We are here to offer fire insurance claim assistance for residents of Los Angeles County. Contact us today to start rebuilding your life. 

When disaster strikes and it’s time to turn to insurance, there are a few ways to go about it. Since many home and insurance disaster companies notoriously lowball homeowners who face life-changing damages, many homeowners will hire a public adjuster or lawyer to help navigate the claims process. While both can help you with this process, they have different roles and expertise. Understanding these differences can help you make the best decision for your situation.

What is a Public Adjuster

A public adjuster is a licensed insurance claims handler who is hired independently by homeowners to help them file and negotiate insurance claims after some kind of property damage. Don’t confuse public adjusters with independent adjusters. Independent adjusters work for insurance companies to evaluate home damages and offer compensation based on what the insurance company thinks is the appropriate amount they should pay. Oftentimes, this number is much too low to be able to properly restore a home after a fire. Public adjusters fight against the insurance company to get higher insurance payouts.

Key Benefits of Hiring a Public Adjuster

The choice is a no-brainer when it comes to hiring a public adjusting company. Studies have found that the payouts are 747% higher for policyholders who use public adjusters. Some of the key benefits of hiring a public adjuster include:

• Expert evaluation of damages.
• Negotiation skills for better payouts.
• Time-saving through process management.

What Is a Lawyer’s Role in Insurance Claims?

A lawyer or attorney can be used to battle with insurance after a prepared claim has been denied or an insurance company has acted in bad faith. Hiring a lawyer is only a preferred choice when your insurance outright refuses your claim. Although they are able to legally negotiate with the insurance company, something a public adjuster can’t do, they are not as equipped to assess damage and adequately evaluate claims.

Key Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer is a great way to handle denied, underpaid or delayed claims. They are able to expertly navigate all legal aspects of insurance claims and take action accordingly.

• Legal expertise in identifying bad faith practices.
• Representation in court for complex cases.
• Comprehensive support for contract interpretation.

How to Decide: Factors to Consider

Choosing between a public adjuster and a lawyer comes down to the type of claim you are dealing with. Consider these factors:

Type of Claim

For simple home or property damage claims, a public adjuster is generally the better option as they can handle the process quickly and seamlessly. However, if your claim is denied, it may be advantageous to hire an attorney for legal intervention. Complex claims may require both professionals.

Settlement Urgency

A major appeal of public adjusters is the speed at which they can handle the claim submission and settlement process. It can take months to get your payout without the help from professionals. Especially in the case of a disaster that leaves your home uninhabitable, a public adjuster can quickly evaluate your damage, submit your claim and get your settlement so that you can move in faster. Legal cases will generally take much longer than claims handled by public adjusters.

Hiring a Public Adjuster for Quick Insurance Settlements

Insurance claims can be difficult terrain to navigate for a homeowner, and without proper representation, you can face unfair denial or low settlements. Consider your claim and timeline and choose a representative that will most usefully defend you. Property Claims Consultant fight for homeowners and property owners, disputing with insurance companies to bring the highest settlement. Contact Property Claims Consultant for expert claim assistance!