The insurance claims game is one of underpayment, delays, and dancing around deadlines and fine print including filing storm damage claims. Do insurance companies give fair settlements? Of course, if an insurance company never did then they would lose business down the road. However, fair settlements are reserved for those who know the rules well and file accordingly or those who get in touch with someone who does, and lets them file on their behalf…
Here are a few common mistakes homeowners make when filing claims for property damage caused by things such as storm damage, fire damage, sinkholes, or dropped/fallen objects.
Waiting to File a Claim
There are many great reasons to file a claim as soon as possible, and very few if any to wait. Waiting to file a claim is, unfortunately, the norm. However, getting the best outcome for your Florida property damage claim will hinge on you following best practices, not the crowd.
Waiting is natural. After all, a major storm hits and the first thing the vast majority of people do is reorient themselves after it has passed and they spend a lot of time dealing with the storm aftermath as well as figuring out what was lost/damaged.
People procrastinate on filing a claim because at first glance, things such as roof damage may not be evident at first. Conversely, there are certain damages that are easier to prove sooner than later. Filing a claim with your insurance company ASAP is a high priority for those seeking a fair settlement. Contact Florida Best Public Adjuster, and we can help review your loss and file a claim appropriately. More on that below.
Failure to Document Your Property and Possessions Before a Storm
As Public Adjusters, nothing makes our job easier than excellent documentation to supplement our own photographs and estimates. The more robust your evidence is documenting the damage that you have suffered, the more leverage we will have with your insurance claim. We stress the importance of documenting well in our hurricane preparation guide.
Assuming the nature of your claim is something that can be prepared for, such as a hurricane or tropical storm, you should make a running inventory of your possessions and the state of your property. The best part about doing this is that once the initial legwork is done, you can simply audit it year after year for any changes.
Accepting the First Settlement They Receive
It’s rarely a good practice to accept the first offer you receive in almost any situation, be that a salary negotiation, haggling for the price of goods, or in this case, receiving an insurance settlement for your damages. While there are times when insurance companies may offer a somewhat reasonable offer upfront, that does not mean the offer couldn’t be made better through more convincing efforts.
Never take the first offer, which leads us to our next and final point…
Not Contacting a Public Adjuster ASAP
Public adjusters, many people do not even know we exist or what we do. A skilled public adjuster is someone you can hire to handle various aspects of your insurance claim to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Florida Best Public Adjusters has handled hundreds of claims successfully, earning our clients much more than if they had simply been at the mercy of what the insurance company had offered them.
Many people refrain from seeking help because they erroneously believe that they can’t afford to get such help, after all, financial difficulties are not uncommon after large storms.
Good news!
At Florida Best Public Adjusters, we don’t get paid until you do. This is what’s known as a contingency fee, and it is quite common in legal professions. With a free consultation and no up-front costs, you have nothing to lose and much to gain.
Storm Damage Claims Help FL
Florida Best Public Adjusters would like to assist you through the claims process by offering our years of unmatched experience and dedication in the world of property damage claims. We are certain we can get you the best settlement possible through our efficient and thorough documentation process and presentation of the facts to your insurance company.
Contact us today at (800)-952-7693 to get started with no up-front costs or fees. We would love to get you the help you need to recover from any property damage you have suffered!
