Articles

Are Public Adjusters Still Being "Demonized"?

For nearly a decade if not for longer many in the insurance industry have unfairly "demonized" an entire profession, one which represents consumers in the negotiation and settlement of a claim. This article provides evidence from several sources showing that public adjusting is still being "demonized" or unfairly represented within the insurance industry, as well as consider what can be done to address the problem.

ALE Emergency

In property insurance claims in California, "ALE" stands for the type of coverage consumers need most immediately after a severe loss. Yet, in spite of the evident need for assistance with "Additional Living Expenses," many insurance companies in this state are making it harder for consumers to get ALE relief when they need it most. Why? Consider our new Blog, which explains part of the problem.

"Cooperate With and Assist the ... "

These are two things your insurance policy likely expects from you, but to which as a California consumer of insurance you are also entitled. Yet, in many first-party property insurance claims California insurers licensed to handle claims do not cooperate or assist insureds or their claim agents. Still, such minimum standards for cooperation and assistance by insurance companies with insureds exist, as explained in Premier's new Blog.

Applications, Declarations, Policy Coverages, and Limits

These are all items consumers of insurance should try to make sure are accurate in terms of the information and the type and amounts of insurance you need. But have you carefully reviewed them all? Failing to do so before a claim occurs could cost you. Consider Premier's new Blog, which presents some important reminders for California consumers, brokers, and insurers.

Are California's "Minimum Standards" for Property Insurers Too High?

Often we hear about standards or regulations which are proposed or which already exist to protect consumers when it comes to various types of insurance claims. For example, in California there are "minimum standards" for insurers licensed to handle claims. But are existing regulations reachable by insurance companies, or are they too high? Consider our new Blog , which presents five questions for you to answer, and so determine for yourself if their related standards are unfair to insurance companies.

"Minimum Standards" for Property Insurance and for Health Care

Claims are difficult. They are difficult most of all for those who submit them to their insurers. This is true not only because consumers are the ones who suffer loss, but also because they don't have claims every day. Insurance companies have claims every day, and so they know how to handle claims in their own way very well. Our new Blog shows how, at times, California insurers' have even resisted "minimum standards" now in place in California for years, even though these standards clearly do benefit California consumers, and it also puts forth a reasonable proposal for a 'minimum standard' for health care in this country.

Overage Adjustments: It's (Almost) Never Too Late!

So you decided to try and negotiate your property insurance claim by yourself. Surprisingly, most people do. Though the option of hiring your own licensed, experienced public insurance adjuster is something many homeowners and business owners do not know much about, even after learning about them most insureds choose to go it alone. Why? And what if after first attempting to get a satisfying and complete settlement you decide you could use some professional assistance after all? Is it too late? Our new Blog article answers all of these questions and might give you some good perspective on how to get help, at any time, with your property insurance claim.

It's Not True

Insurance companies and their adjusters often claim to be "on your side." If you've filed a property claim, no doubt you were at some point told that the insurance company and their adjusters 'work for you,' that they 'represent you,' so why hire a public adjuster? Take a look at our new Blog article as we explain how these claims are both untrue and could be keeping you from making the right decision when it comes to hiring a public insurance adjuster.

California Regulations and 'Unfair Claims Settlement Practices'

California has certain Regulations that insurers licensed to handle claims in this State must meet. These are not the highest level of claims handling practices. They are not even the middle level of expected claim settlement services. They are the "minimum," the lowest possible standards that all property insurers in California must live up to so that California consumers' property claim settlement rights are upheld. Our new Blog article contains a link to the current list California Regulations for auto and for property claims, as well a discussion of how insurance companies can avoid unfair claims handling practices allegations and how California consumers can protect their rights during a property claim settlement.

Two Questions. Two Answers. One Condition.

Settlements for property damages are often complicated by questions of value. For example, how much will the repairs cost? The reason this question of value is not so easy to answer is because the insurance company often attempts to set the price of the claim settlement around its adjuster's or its preferred contractor's estimate of repairs. But what if an insured exercises his or her rights under California Regulations to choose a contractor that does not work for or with insurance companies? Since insurance companies cannot expect public contractors to work for the same rates and follow the same estimating limitations they require of their preferred vendors, how should such a claim be settled? Click here to read our recent Blog on this subject.

Who's Working on Your Home?

If your home has recently been damaged and you have filed an insurance claim with your homeowners insurer, chances are your insurance company will recommend a contractor whom the adjuster or the company itself prefers. But in California you, the consumer, have a number of property claim settlement rights [click here to read full article].

Security Deposits for Homeowners Claims

It's bad enough that you have had a fire or other peril render your residence uninhabitable. Now try coming up with $3,000.00-$7,000.00 or more in security deposits for renting a temporary home and temporary furnishings. But who should pay these costs in a property insurance claim? You can read all about it here.

Should You Hire a Public Adjuster?

Athletes hire sports agents. Home buyers and sellers hire real estate agents. When you experience a loss to your personal or to your business property, should you hire your own claims agent? Should you hire a public insurance adjuster? Click here to read about the differences between the different types of insurance adjusters that might be involved in your claim, and how a public adjuster can help you in a variety of ways.

Sales Tax Omissions in Property Claim Settlements: Can They Do That?

After you suffer a moderate or severe property loss, what you need most is money. You need money to keep from having to spend your savings or borrow on your credit in order to replace any lost clothing and other basic necessities. That's what property insurance is for. But why, then, are so many insurance companies not including sales tax as a part of your personal property claim settlement? The answer is here.

Beware of Unlicensed Public Adjusters and Contractors

The last thing you need after suffering a loss to your home or your personal property is for someone to take advantage of you. But you will also likely need the assistance of construction contractors and public adjusters if you have filed a property insurance claim. Licensed professionals in these fields can help you in many ways. But how can you make sure they don't hurt more than they help? Some helpful suggestions can be found here.

Legal Updates

A Look Back at an Important Book

In 2006 attorney David Berardinelli published From Good Hands to Boxing Gloves, a book that discusses the origin of some of the aggressive and at times unfair claims practices employed by insurance companies such as Allstate. This article reviews some of the important facts considered by Berardinelli, and it also provides some insightful viewer feedback on related issues.

News

A Look at Premier Claim Consultants in 2008

Premier Claim Consultants is an advanced property claim consulting company specializing in residential and commercial property claim adjustments, coverage evaluations, appraisals, litigation support, and expert witness services. For a look at what you can expect from Premier in 2008, take a look at this Blog article.

LIVECLAIM is Coming!

Have you noticed the change on our main menu? In place of the Topical Index (which is now accessible through the link below the main menu) we have a new option: LIVECLAIM^TM. Read our Blog here for more information about LIVECLAIM^TM.

New Fair Claims Regulations are Upheld!

Though opposed by insurance companies for over three years, the cost of labor in repairing your home will no longer be subject to depreciation. It never should have been in the first place. You can read the press release regarding the defeat of insurance companies' trade federations' appeal of the new Fair Claims Regulations here. You can read our Blog article on the same subject here.

Unlicensed Contractors Arrested During Lake Tahoe Fires

During the recent Lake Tahoe (California) fires several unscrupulous and unlicensed contractors were arrested by a sting operation conducted by the California Department of Insurance and El Dorado County investigators. You can read the July 5, 2007, Press Releasehere

Tips on how you can protect yourself against such unscrupulous entities can be found here.