Insurance Advice Is To Always More Than Just The Opinion Of Your Adjuster
by Joe Brenan
Many policyholders will rely on the adjuster sent by their insurance company to arrive for a meeting, inspect the claim damages, and provide an estimate for what they believe is a fair settlement of the claim. This is a mistake of enormous proportion that should almost NEVER HAPPEN! Insurance advice rule number one is... Don't Let It Happen!
I'm not saying that there are no good adjusters out there and that they can't be trusted, not at all. There are many excellent adjusters that do an excellent job. However, are you under the delusion that they will never make a mistake, miss hidden damages, or that they all have multiple years of experience? Not a chance.
You're most likely one of those people who have had a second opinion before having your car fixed. Possibly you or someone you know has needed a second opinion after seeing a doctor, second opinion when buying a car, a computer, or even hiring a contractor? Most people have had more than one estimate to build a deck, replace windows, or have a new room put on their home. I'm assuming you and most everyone you ask has answered "YES," to all or one of these questions. Then why is it that policyholders allow adjusters to basically "TELL THEM," what they will receive for their insurance claim?
The majority of insurance adjusters have attended classes of how to pass an insurance policy exam and have attended classes of how to use insurance estimating programs. However, they have never worked for an insurance repair contracting company, have never repaired or built a home, nor have they ever fixed any type of damage at their own home. If you have such an adjuster visit your damaged property, chances are, they will accidentally miss items needed to properly repair your damages.
Simply put, this is what you have been paying for all this time. To be protected when you have a claim. No one would require insurance advice from a professional to realize that this is YOUR money, it is YOUR insurance policy, it is YOUR property, which in turn makes it YOUR responsibility to protect yourself from mistakes or from being taken advantage of. Again, the insurance company adjuster could be 100% accurate with the final analysis and estimate numbers for your claim damages. Regardless of what you think may be true, YOU should be sure. Policyholders need to have an independent insurance appraiser or contractor provide them with a line item, detailed estimate that will ensure their adjuster was correct.
What Is A Detailed, Line-Item Estimate?
Some contractors use a complete square foot price for replacing a roof or siding, however, the insurance company will usually request that the estimate be broken-down per line-item. Using an example of a roof replacement; the insurance companies need to view each process and layer of the work being preformed on the roof. They also need to view each type of material that is being used. These should all be listed separately. Here's a detailed, line-item estimate example;
The numbers in the above example are fictitious; however, it shows the basics of a Line Item, Detailed Estimate. Each line item is broken down in detail and displays the description, quantity, unit cost, and total for each separate line item. This type of detail is needed so the insurance company can review and compare each separate line item and unit costs with their own software. Having the insurance claim estimate formatted the way the insurance companies like to see them, results in a faster settlement.
In the event of an insurance dispute, a more detailed estimate allows for a smoother and less time consuming process. It's difficult for the insurance companies to dispute insurance claim estimates that are presented to them in the exact format that they are requesting.
Watch out for yourself, protect and educate yourself, and always seek insurance advice by obtaining a second opinion. This should be the first thought on any and all insurance claim damages you happen to incur. If you fail to look out for yourself... Nobody Will?
I'm not saying that there are no good adjusters out there and that they can't be trusted, not at all. There are many excellent adjusters that do an excellent job. However, are you under the delusion that they will never make a mistake, miss hidden damages, or that they all have multiple years of experience? Not a chance.
You're most likely one of those people who have had a second opinion before having your car fixed. Possibly you or someone you know has needed a second opinion after seeing a doctor, second opinion when buying a car, a computer, or even hiring a contractor? Most people have had more than one estimate to build a deck, replace windows, or have a new room put on their home. I'm assuming you and most everyone you ask has answered "YES," to all or one of these questions. Then why is it that policyholders allow adjusters to basically "TELL THEM," what they will receive for their insurance claim?
The majority of insurance adjusters have attended classes of how to pass an insurance policy exam and have attended classes of how to use insurance estimating programs. However, they have never worked for an insurance repair contracting company, have never repaired or built a home, nor have they ever fixed any type of damage at their own home. If you have such an adjuster visit your damaged property, chances are, they will accidentally miss items needed to properly repair your damages.
Simply put, this is what you have been paying for all this time. To be protected when you have a claim. No one would require insurance advice from a professional to realize that this is YOUR money, it is YOUR insurance policy, it is YOUR property, which in turn makes it YOUR responsibility to protect yourself from mistakes or from being taken advantage of. Again, the insurance company adjuster could be 100% accurate with the final analysis and estimate numbers for your claim damages. Regardless of what you think may be true, YOU should be sure. Policyholders need to have an independent insurance appraiser or contractor provide them with a line item, detailed estimate that will ensure their adjuster was correct.
What Is A Detailed, Line-Item Estimate?
Some contractors use a complete square foot price for replacing a roof or siding, however, the insurance company will usually request that the estimate be broken-down per line-item. Using an example of a roof replacement; the insurance companies need to view each process and layer of the work being preformed on the roof. They also need to view each type of material that is being used. These should all be listed separately. Here's a detailed, line-item estimate example;
The numbers in the above example are fictitious; however, it shows the basics of a Line Item, Detailed Estimate. Each line item is broken down in detail and displays the description, quantity, unit cost, and total for each separate line item. This type of detail is needed so the insurance company can review and compare each separate line item and unit costs with their own software. Having the insurance claim estimate formatted the way the insurance companies like to see them, results in a faster settlement.
In the event of an insurance dispute, a more detailed estimate allows for a smoother and less time consuming process. It's difficult for the insurance companies to dispute insurance claim estimates that are presented to them in the exact format that they are requesting.
Watch out for yourself, protect and educate yourself, and always seek insurance advice by obtaining a second opinion. This should be the first thought on any and all insurance claim damages you happen to incur. If you fail to look out for yourself... Nobody Will?
About the Author:
(C) Joey Brennen is President of Insurance Claims Group, an independent appraisal and umpiring firm. We will provide advice FREE - Ph: 919-669-9111. Get Insurance Advice & Help, for your Insurance Dispute. Also published at Insurance Advice Is To Always More Than Just The Opinion Of Your Adjuster.
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