Hurricanes bring torrential rain and heavy wind, and what is left afterward is a set of policy questions: does your homeowner's policy cover wind damage, and do you have a valid flood policy alongside it. Insurance is supposed to mitigate that financial loss. You pay monthly premiums against exactly this, and then you find out whether you can rely on the company holding them. A public adjuster cannot bring legal action on your behalf. We can, and we handle wind damage insurance claims against carriers in New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area.
Lead attorney on every case we take, backed by a dedicated legal team you work with directly.
Report the loss to your insurer quickly, then protect the evidence. You do not need to go overboard. Photographs of all the damage are usually enough, and if the situation calls for police involvement, the report they generate belongs in your records. Keep every form you sign or fill out in connection with the claim, and hold all of it in a safe place until the process is finished. If the damage is significant, an adjuster will contact you and ask a long list of questions to value the claim. Understand what that person is there to do: the adjuster's job is to make sure the company pays only what it has to by law. They may also require you to prove up any payout you believe you are owed. Never agree to a settlement offer you are not comfortable with.
After a windstorm, watch for false public adjusters. A legitimate public adjuster mediates between you and the insurer and negotiates the value of the damage, and most contract on a contingency basis, meaning they do not ask for money until the insurance company cuts the check. A demand for money in advance is a sign to decline. So is the adjuster who knocks on your door to tell you about damage you did not know you had. Adjusters showing up in storm-affected neighborhoods is normal; one soliciting you over a small claim is not, since insurers are more likely to pay small claims without a fight. If an offer does not feel fair, or you just want help navigating the process, we will review your policy for coverage and evaluate the claim against the goal of returning you to where you stood before the loss.
Money Money is the end goal for false public adjusters. Beware of the public adjuster who wants the money in advance. Most public adjusters contract on a contingency basis. Likewise, they will not ask for money until after the insurance company cuts the check. Any demands for money in advance is a sign you should decline their offer.
Lodging Wind Damage Claims With Insurance Companies
After wind damages your property, your first step is to report your loss to your insurance company to file a claim for the damages. This must be done quickly after the loss.
Your next priority is maintaining all the evidence. You do not need to laminate everything or go overboard to preserve the evidence. It is enough to just take pictures of all the damage. If necessary, call the police. The police will give you a full report for your records. Any forms that you sign or fill out in connection with your insurance claim should be in your personal records. Keep all documents in a safe place until the insurance claim process is complete. Your insurance company will ask you to provide your basic demographic information and details about the damage. Especially if the damage is costly, your insurance company will most likely have an insurance adjuster contact you. The adjuster is there to determine the value of your claim. Prepare yourself for several questions regarding your claim. The insurance adjuster’s job is to make sure the insurance companies only pay for what they have to by law. Insurance companies may also require you to show proof for whatever insurance payouts you feel entitled to receive. Insurance adjusters will try to get you to settle your claim. The insurance adjusters are there for the insurance company and trying to save them money. They do NOT have your best interests in mind. In short, never agree to a settlement offer that you are not comfortable with.
If you feel that you are not getting the full amount that you feel entitled to, do not accept payment. If an offer from the insurance adjuster does not feel fair, or if you just need assistance navigating the insurance claims processes, do not hesitate to contact Freundlich & Littman, LLC to review your options. Insurance companies have a lot of weight in the legal world. They have adjusters and attorneys on their side. Why not get someone on your side to look out for your best interests today.
Dangers of Public Adjusters After High Winds
A public adjuster is a mediator between a claimant (the person with damaged and insured property) and the insurance company. After a hurricane or period of heavy wind, some people contact public adjusters to evaluate. Public adjusters have the ability to negotiate on the claimant’s behalf. In essence, the adjuster does not worry about whether the insurer will pay. Rather, a claims adjuster worries about amounts. A claims adjuster values the damage on your property. Then, they negotiate the particulars with the insurance company. After a windstorm, look out for false adjusters.
Not all people claiming to be public adjusters are legitimate. Before agreeing to deal with a public adjuster, consider these common warning signs.
Previously Unknown Damage An adjuster knocks on your door. They seem friendly enough, but they inform you that there is damage to your property. You were not aware of the damage. This is a red flag. Adjusters show up to homes in areas affected by storms. This is normal. What is not normal is a claim adjuster seeking to defend you for small claims. Insurance companies are more likely to comply with small insurance claims. An adjuster, therefore, is not necessary.
