Frequenty Asked Questions

• How can using the wrong terminology with an insurance company affect my claim?
• What is a public insurance adjuster?
• What is so hard about making a claim on my own? 
• Can I own a home without purchasing homeowner’s insurance?
• How do I take a home content inventory and why should I do it?
• How often should I review my insurance policy?
• I’m interested in becoming a public adjuster - Where Do I Start?

What is a public insurance adjuster?

A public insurance adjuster is a trained, licensed and bonded person who is an expert in the often confusing language of insurance policies.  A good public adjuster keeps up to date on current case law and statutes that can affect your claim.  A public insurance adjuster cannot legally be licensed to represent any insurance company and the public.

The purpose of hiring a public adjuster is to make sure that you have an expert reviewing the complicated language of your insurance policy, making sure that the prices paid are accurate and that your total damages are documented and submitted to the insurance company in a way that will require them to pay you on a timely basis.

Getting the full recovery you are entitled to is the name of the game.  Anything less would not be fair to you.  Here’s an example: 

If the insurance company adjuster tells you that something is not covered under your policy - what happens if it actually is and the language telling you that is buried in the complicated language of your policy?  How would you know?  Your trained public insurance adjuster is an expert in insurance policies and coverages - that’s how you’ll know. 

If the insurance company prepares an estimate, how do you know that the amount reflected in their estimate is 100% representative of your loss?  Did they miss something?  Are they paying you the correct amounts?  Your public insurance adjuster is your ace in the hole.  For a small percentage of the loss, a good public adjuster will scan your policy, the insurance estimate and the location where the damages took place to make sure you get everything you’re entitled to.  A good public insurance adjuster is affiliated with the experts you need to qualify your loss.  Remember, it’s your responsibility under the terms of your policy to prove your loss.

Public Insurance Adjusters can never ask for money up front.   We are paid on a contingent basis and only then by a small percentage of the recovery. Public Insurance Adjusters generally obtain 20-30% more for the insured than the insurance company offers. Sometimes much more. It does not cost you anything to get the opinion of a public insurance adjuster - initial consultations are always free -  so you have nothing to lose.

What is homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance provides you with the financial protection you need against disasters and every day accidents that cause damage to your property. A standard policy insures the home itself (dwelling) and the things you keep in it (contents).   On a standard homeowners policy there is also generally coverage for any structures on the insured property, i.e., fences, sheds, other buildings, etc. (this coverage is know as other structures or APS).  There is also coverage generally available for additional living expenses such as hotels, or renting alternate housing should your home become uninhabitable (loss of use or ale).

There are many different forms of homeowners insurance - but 85% of homeowners carry what is known as an H03 policy.    Each different form has different coverages, so your public adjuster should be able to decipher your policy and tell you what is and is not going to be eligible for coverage.  Remember, there may be areas on your policy that seem to provide and/or deny coverage for you and further reading may prove that an endorsement was purchased or added that may change the language in your policy altogether.  There may also be laws and statutes that affect your coverage and have changed what will and won’t be paid. 

When it comes to the complicated language of insurance contracts (your policy), we speak it fluently. For example, can you answer the following questions?

Do you have a homeowner policy or a dwelling policy?
Do you have an H0-3 standard, broad or special policy, an H0-5, H0-6 or commercial policy?
Do you have a condo policy for contents and your association carries a master policy for the structure? If so, what is the condo master policy responsible for and what is your policy responsible for?
Are you underinsured?  Do you have co-insurance?
Why won’t my insurance company pay for my fence when my neighbors insurance company paid for theirs?

Our adjusters can answer these questions for you. We will explain your coverages to you, document your claim for you, and present the complete professional claim package to your insurance company. We will negotiate on your behalf and get the maximum value for your claim.   Our incentive is clear - we will do the best possible job for you because you are our client - not just a customer.  We don’t get paid until you do and only then a percentage of your claim.

Damage caused by most disasters and many every day accidents that cause damage are covered but there may be some exceptions. The most significant are damage caused by floods, earthquakes and poor maintenance. You must buy two separate policies for flood and earthquake coverage. Maintenance-related problems are the homeowners’ responsibility.

Can I own a home without purchasing homeowner’s insurance?

Unlike driving a car, you can legally own a home without homeowners insurance. But, if you have bought your home and financed the purchase with a mortgage, your lender will most likely require you to get homeowners insurance coverage. That’s because lenders need to protect their investment in your home in case your house burns down or is badly damaged by a storm, tornado or other disaster.

If you live in an area that is likely to flood, the bank will also require you to purchase flood insurance. Some financial institutions may also require earthquake coverage if you live in a region vulnerable to earthquakes. If you buy a co-op or condominium, your board will probably require you to buy homeowners insurance.

After your mortgage is paid off, no one will force you to buy homeowners insurance. But it is not advisable to cancel your policy and risk losing what you’ve invested in your home.

How do I take a home inventory and why?

Would you really be able to remember each and every possession you’ve accumulated over the years if they were destroyed by a fire?   Every nick-nack, every bowl, every picture, video or book?  It would probably be easier to remember the big ticket items, and that’s great - but your public insurance adjuster having experienced these types of losses time and again, will be able to help you remember all the details.  We recommend you download our content inventory form, complete it and email it to a friend so that your content list is safe in cyberspace should you ever need it.

Having an up-to-date home inventory will help you get your insurance claim settled faster, verify losses for your income tax return and help you purchase the correct amount of insurance.  Start by making a list of your possessions, describing each item and noting where you bought it and its make and model. Clip to your list any sales receipts, purchase contracts, and appraisals you have. For clothing, count the items you own by category—pants, coats, shoes, for example –- making notes about those that are especially valuable. For major appliance and electronic equipment, record their serial numbers usually found on the back or bottom.

• Don’t be put off!If you are just setting up a household, starting an inventory list can be relatively simple. If you’ve been living in the same house for many years, however, the task of creating a list can be daunting. Still, it’s better to have an incomplete inventory than nothing at all. Start with recent purchases and then try to remember what you can about older possessions.
• Big ticket itemsValuable items like jewelry, art work and collectibles may have increased in value since you received them. Check with your agent to make sure that you have adequate insurance for these items. They may need to be insured separately.  Your homeowner insurance policy has very low limits on how much they will pay for certain varieties of items.  Such as, jewelry usually has at $2,500.00 limit.  What will happen if you have a $5,000.00 Rolex that burned, or a favorite family heirloom.  Would you have enough coverage?
• Take pictures.. lots of pictures…Besides the list, you can take pictures of rooms and important individual items. On the back of the photos, note what is shown and where you bought it or the make. Don’t forget things that are in closets or drawers.
• Videotape itWalk through your house or apartment videotaping and describing the contents. Or do the same thing using a tape recorder.
• Use a personal computerUse your PC to make your inventory list. Personal finance software packages often include a homeowners room-by-room inventory program.
• Storing the list, photos and tapesRegardless of how you do it (written list, floppy disk, photos, videotape or audio tape), keep your inventory along with receipts in your safe deposit box or at a friend’s or relative’s home. That way you’ll be sure to have something to give your insurance representative if your home is damaged. When you make a significant purchase, add the information to your inventory while the details are fresh in your mind.

How often should I review my policy?

There are four events that should trigger a review of your policy:

1. When your policy comes up for renewalDon’t just automatically send a check to your insurance company. Take the time to review your coverage and call your agent with any questions or concerns that you may have regarding your homeowners insurance. Ask yourself the following questions:
   • Has the company made any changes in coverage since last year?
   • Does my policy now include a separate deductible for risks like hurricane or hail?
   • Should I raise the deductible to save money?
   • Am I taking advantage of all available discounts?
   • Do I need to raise the amount of coverage for liability, personal possessions or the structure?
   • Should I comparison shop for a cheaper rate?
   • Do I need flood, earthquake or an umbrella policy?
2. Major purchases or alterations/improvements to your homeIf you have made any major purchases, make sure that you have the proper coverage. And, don’t forget about gifts. If you have received a diamond engagement ring or if a member of your family has bought you expensive artwork or a computer, talk to your agent about either increasing the amount of insurance you have for your personal possessions or purchasing a floater/endorsement for these items. A floater will give you higher and broader coverage for these items than you have under your homeowners policy.If you have made major improvements to your home, such as adding a new room, enclosing a porch or expanding a kitchen or bathroom, you risk being underinsured if you don’t report the increase in square footage to your insurance company. Don’t forget about new structures outside of your home. If you have built a gazebo, a new shed for your tools or installed a pool or hot tub, you need to speak to your agent. Keep receipts and records in case you need to forward copies to your company.
3. You have made your home saferIf you have installed a state-of-the art fire/burglar alarm system or upgraded your heating, plumbing or electrical system, make sure that your insurance company knows about these improvements. You may qualify for a discount.
4. Major lifestyle changesMarriage, divorce, or adult children who move back into the family home, can all affect your homeowners insurance. When people move in or move out, they take their belongings with them. And you may need additional coverage if there is a sizable increase in the value of the belongings in your home.Starting a home-based business can also trigger changes in your coverage. You will need to get additional coverage for business liability and equipment. If the business is your primary source of income, you may need a Businessowners Package Policy (BOP). You may also need professional liability coverage, which is excluded under in-home business and businessowners policies.

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