Is Your Claim Underpaid?
Your Property Damage Claims
If you filed a homeowner’s insurance claim and were not represented by a Public Insurance Adjuster your insurance claim was likely an underpaid insurance claim. The average claim when a public insurance adjuster is representing the property owner settles for 747% higher. Don’t be discouraged you can still engage a Public Insurance Adjuster to challenge the results of your claim and negotiate a better settlement for up to two years later.
If you think your insurance claim was underpaid a free consultation from a Public Insurance Adjuster can help you evaluate what opportunity there might be to turn it around.
Get Your Free Claim Assessment
Take the first step toward fair compensation by contacting us today. Fill out this simple form for a no-obligation consultation to discuss your property damage claim and discover how DKPA can help maximize your settlement.
Signs Your Claim was Underpaid
Repairing Instead of Replacing
Most insurance policies require the insurance company to replace damaged items. If you read through your settlement and see the insurance company proposed settlement include repairing items you very likely have an underpaid claim. Repairing a portion of a floor or cabinetry for example are not in line with what is owed or required by a replacement cost policy.
Below Deductible
The insurance company writing an estimate of damages that is below the deductible without issuing a check is a very common occurrence. Many property owners think this is their final decision, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Engaging a Public Insurance Adjuster is necessary to put together a claim file and challenge the insurance company.
Missing Items
If you are noticing missing items from the repair scope, it is possible your insurance claim was underpaid. Insurance adjusters often miss seeing all of the damage or purposely leave off items to try to minimize the settlement. Sometimes the insurance adjuster will just include what the property owners shows them, even if they know there is far more damage.
Types of Underpaid Insurance Claims
01. Water Damage
Water travels and can damage a large area of the home and multiple floors. Whatever it hits should be replaced in its entirety. Any mold or water mitigation services damage also needs to be accounted for in repairs.
02. Roof Leaks
roof leaks are most often the result of damage to the roof. Insurance companies will try to underpay these claims so that they don’t have to compensate the property owner for a new roof especially when the roof is not able to be repaired. If you have a roof leak claim and your settlement does not include payment for a new roof there is a chance your claim is very underpaid.
03. Wind or Hurricane Damage
Insurance company staff adjusters will rarely do a comprehensive inspection of the property; fences, pool enclosures, screens, windows, and garage doors are just a few of the items the insurance company will overlook. Wind damage claims need a thorough inspection.
04. Below Deductible
If you filed a claim and the insurance company calculated your damages as less than the deductible you can pretty much assume they are trying to underpay the claim. This is a sure sign that their desk adjuster is attempted to minimize the payment and you will likely need a Public Insurance Adjuster to put together a claim file to challenge them.
05. Denied Insurance Claims
Denial of insurance claims caused by a covered loss is all too prevalent in Florida. If you believe the claim is legitimate but were given a denial, contact a Public Insurance Adjuster to review it and see if there’s anything you can do about it.
Are you getting the most out of your Claim?
Public insurance adjusters are experts in insurance claims and can help you get the full payment you deserve for your damage. If you think your homeowner’s insurance claim might have been underpaid, contact a public insurance adjuster for a free consultation. They will review your claim to see if it was underpaid and, if so, take the appropriate steps to get the money you’re owed. This may include suggesting the best way to dispute the claim until a satisfactory outcome has been reached. There are several ways a claim can be challenged and negotiated for a better result. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you think you may have been shortchanged on your insurance claim.
Why Will an Insurance Adjuster Underpay an Insurance Claim?
Delaying
When you make a homeowner’s insurance claim, the insurance company might delay the process in order to wear you down and get you to accept less money. This is because they know they underpaid your claim or underestimated the damage done. They also know insurance claims are uncomfortable for people to deal with and making them wait will almost always get them to accept less money just to be done.
Underestimating
If the insurance company underestimates the damage, they might give you a small check for your claim. This is because they think the damage is not as bad as it really is. Unfortunately, this can often lead to homeowners accepting a lower settlement than they deserve and not having enough money to complete the repairs.
Inexperienced Adjusters
An inexperienced adjuster who doesn’t know how to interpret your policy might lead to your insurance claim being underpaid. This could mean that they don’t understand the full extent of the damage, the necessary labor and materials to complete repairs, or how to interpret your policy to take advantage of all of your coverages.
Incomplete Inspection
If you do not show the insurance company all of the relevant damages, they might underpay your claim. Often the insurance company field adjuster will ask the property owner to show them what they want to claim. It’s important to make sure that you are as thorough as possible when filing a homeowner’s insurance claim and show the insurance company all of the damages. This will help ensure that you receive the full settlement you deserve.
Incentives
Insurance company adjusters are incentivized to underpay your claim. Their job performance in judged by how little they pay out and they use a variety of tactics. Making sure you have a professional on your side is important.
Commonly asked questions
A. No, it’s not too late to get a better settlement from the insurance company. If you believe that your claim was underpaid, it’s important to speak with a public adjuster who can help you get the full amount of money you deserve. They will review your claim and take the appropriate steps to get you the money you’re owed.
A. If you’ve already repaired the damage done to your home, you might be able to get a reimbursement from the insurance company. Gather the appropriate receipts, pictures, and supporting evidence are all important steps building a strong claim that can be presented. Speak with a public adjuster to learn more about what steps you need to take.
A. When you file a supplemental claim, you are asking the insurance company to reimburse you for the money you spent above and beyond what they gave you. This claim can be for the amount of money you spent making the repairs.
When it comes to underpaid insurance claims, it’s important to put together a strong case and show the insurance company that you won’t stand for less than what you deserve. This includes submitting receipts for the repairs and an estimate of how much they cost. It’s also important to be as thorough as possible when filing your claim and make sure that you show the insurance company all of the damages that have been done. This will help ensure that you receive the full settlement you deserve.
Speak with a public adjuster to learn more about how to file a supplemental claim and get the reimbursement you deserve.
A. It depends on the type of claim but often up to two years it can challenged, or a supplementary claim can be submitted. Repairs sometimes takes months or years to complete. Especially when there are material or labor shortages. Prices can also go up further than were originally estimated. It’s only fair that a property owner can go back once the repairs are completed for a supplemental check to compensate for the full value of the claim.
A. No, your insurance claim is not closed if you cashed the check. This is a very common misconception. The insurance company often will underestimate the damages and send you an initial check so you can start the repairs, but this doesn’t mean that your claim is closed. You should still collect all receipts and documents along the way. Supplemental payments can be requested during the repair process.
A. Nothing. Public Insurance Adjusters only work on commission. Reviewing claims to find opportunities to find new clients are welcome.
A. No, challenging the claim or filing a supplemental claim does not count as an additional claim on your record. If you feel like your insurance claim was underpaid, it’s important to take the appropriate steps to get the money you’re owed. This includes filing a supplemental claim or challenging the original claim. Speak with a public adjuster to learn more about what steps you need to take.
A. If you submit a claim and want to hire a Public Insurance Adjuster to assist you with your supplement, you will usually only be charged their commission on the additional money they are able to get for you. You will not have to pay them any fees for work that was performed prior to their involvement.
A. The results of a property damage claim can vary depending on how the property owner handled the claim with the insurance company, whether repairs have been started or completed, and how underpaid the insurance claim may have been. A quick review with a public insurance adjuster can give a more accurate assessment.
A. The length of time it takes to process a supplemental insurance claim will vary depending on the severity of the damages and the amount of money being claimed. In most cases, however, the process should be relatively quick and straightforward. In this instances it might take bringing in experts. Speak with a public adjuster to get more information about the specific supplemental claim you’re filing.