Anybody know the best way to deal with a homeowners claim adjuster? (Hurricane stuff)

vanity

[no gnu taxes]

Ok, I guess the best adage is to be nice until that doesn't work.

But my agent keeps telling me, "don't worry, they'll pay." My policy language is very vague and open to a lot of interpretation. Without going into detail, I'm not getting the impression the adjuster will be that accomodating. You know, I'm 51 years old and have never had to file a homeowner's claim before

I sort of feel like the difference between my agent and and the adjuster is like the difference between a military recruiter and the drill sergeant.

Am I wrong?

[Sea Parrot]

Had considerable damage from a micro burst here several years ago. Home insurance gave us a bit of grief with delays and estimate. But Good Sam (GMAC) on the motor home was outstanding. They had an independent adjuster out next day, was well pleased with his estimate and check was sent over night.

[VeniVidiVici]

I have two estimates already, but no adjuster, and Lee coming in with more rain on a damaged roof, and Katia sitting in the Ocean.

Welcome to our world ;-)

[CGASMIA68]

Can I live on your planet,
No I dont think we would get along

[ErnBatavia]

I'd ask your agent to be there at your home with the adjuster.....

After the Northridge earthquake, our home was crawling with adjusters - to our surprise, State Farm was literally throwing money at us for damages we would never have expected; I'm guessing they wanted to avoid lawsuits down the line.

A lot of the funds were of the "what if" variety, which worked out extremely well in our case.

[catfish1957]

Whacked during Rita in 2005 to the tune of a $100K. Approach I took was first hire a good reputable general contractor right off the bat, and have him complete a very very detailed listing of exactly what needed to be fixed, and what the contractor thinks it will cost homeowner to fix it. When the insurance company low balls you, make a formal request that your adjustor, agent and your contractor meet and compare notes. Force the adjustor to justify the low number. Came out great in the end.

[RegulatorCountry]

I’d wager you’re right in that one instance.

[jdsteel]

Don’t accept their first offer. Get a second appraiser, and if needed tell them to send their engineer. If the first two don’t tell you what you need to hear the last may. Final step is to lawyer up.

[JimRed]

Who is the adjuster working for? If he is from the company, look for lowballs. But you have the right to hire your own adjuster for a second opinion (at least in our state).

[Magic Fingers]

“Then, regardless of the outcome, be prepared to find a new insurance company, because they will drop you for having filed a claim.”

I have filed HO claims in TX and AZ with different companies and have never been dropped (I switched companies of my own accord). Prior to retirement I worked in Auto Claims for decades and had associates in the HO Claim dept. There was no policy in place to “drop an insured for having a claim”, as they often handled claims for the same homeowner over a multi-year period. Sorry that your mileage obviously varied, but as a blanket statement that’s incorrect.

[Magic Fingers]

“My experience with insurance companies over many years in business is to get a lawyer experienced in insurance claims. You would be surprised how reasonable insurance companies become when dealing with someone who understands all of the legal mumbo jumbo.”

I agree. When I was an auto claims supervisor I preferred dealing with an attorney knowledgable in insurance claims for precisely that reason (realistic expectations, business vs. emotional conversations, etc.).

[jmax]

>>> Homeowners policies actually are dropped routinely here and elsewhere, merely due to having a paid claim.... <<<

That MAY be the case with some insurance companies, but have never had a problem. I've been on the Gulf Coast for 30 years and have always had State Farm. They took care of me well for hurricanes Elana, Georges, Katrina and a couple of close fringe skirmishes from others.

The adjustors were usually out-of-state contractors, not State Farm employees. Have always had a fair appraisal. Just don't get pushy or ticked off with them or get in heated arguments. They have their own rules to follow. They may go cheap for replacing a $20 outside security light, for example, but make up or it PLUS for repainting and painting a one sq foot wet/stained spot on the ceiling from roof shingles being blown off. You may get $400 or so for the ceiling, but most people just go to Home Depot and buying a couple of cans of ceiling paint and do it themselves, and don't have a contractor ripout a section of sheetrock and doing the new bump-paint thing, wreaking your house while doing it. Again, it's always give and take, but the appraisals are based on contractor labor rates. And, most people can and do take care of minor fixes themselves, if for not other reason than contractors and repair people have L-O-N-G wait times after a big storm. Just try to get an A/C guy out to repair/replace your outside unit that a tree knocked out, after a hurricane and temps are in the high 90's. Especially if the power and water have been off for a couple of weeks. Good luck, baby.

By the way, your insurance AGENT is useless in a storm/ hurricane situation. You go to their office, stand in line (in the sun) for two hours, and in the end, no matter what you?somebody says or pleads, they just put you on the appraisal list and say an adjustor will be out 'sometime soon'. If your house is damaged so bad it's unlivable (or so you say), an inspector will come out in a day or so to verify it, and agent will give you a couple of forms to fill out and mail in to the district office, and something will eventually happen.

Reminder........point things out, but STAY CALM. By the way, he doesn't cut you a check on the spot, or even tell you how much your claim will be. It will be mailed to you, along with his appraisal worksheets. Along with this will be instructions on how to appeal.

[kingu]

I hope you got written estimates from two people before having the tree removed, and you’ve taken steps to mitigate any further damage (as well as receipts from all of this..) Pictures are a definite bonus. While you’re gathering receipts, also gather the receipts for tree trimming done to the pecan tree over the last few years to show that you’ve maintained the property, and your claim should sail through pretty smoothly. Again, take pictures of before and after, and any damage done during or immediately after.

[SaraJohnson]

Although I have dealt with disaster flooding insurance and homeowner’s insurance, I can’t help you without knowing what damage is involved and what insurance coverage you have. Sorry.

[Mr. K]

CALL NATIONAL FIRE ADJUSTERS

They got me 15K when my agency wanted to give me 3K

I am clueless, and I know it - so I called someone who was on my side

they take 10%

[lonestar]

What ever you do, don’t claim as new damage what they can tell was there before the incident you’re filing on.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

You’re correct I think but the big clammer is the deductible.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

I have heard about getting dropped after filing a claim.If it is a small claim i e..... 6 ft fence panels X4 a computer blown a TV?