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Insurance Claim Help: Homeowners Must Always Get A Second Opinion!
Policyholders are way too trusting. Most people will rely on their insurance company adjuster to visit their home, inspect the damages of their claim, and provide a final claim settlement for their damages. This process alone should almost... NEVER 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 ne room put on their home. I'm assuming you and most everyone you ask has answered "YES," to all or one of these. 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.
It's YOUR property, it's YOUR insurance policy, and it's YOUR responsibility to protect yourself. Again, your adjuster may be dead on with his/her analysis. Regardless, you should have a contractor or insurance claim professional provide you with a detailed, line item insurance claim estimate to compare to.
What Is A Line Item, Detailed Estimate?
Many contractors may use a square foot cost to replace a roof or siding on a home. However, insurance company usually require an estimate that has been detailed by separating each line-item individually. By using the replacement of a damaged roof in our example; the insurance companies will require that each process and layer of the repairs be listed. They need to view each type of material being used to ensure the insured is not upgrading what they had. Surely the insured can upgrade, but, the insured pays for the difference between what they had and what they are upgrading to. That's the reason they wish to see all items listed separately. Here's an example of a detailed, line-item insurance repair estimate;
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 events when their is an insurance claim dispute; by issuing the more detailed estimate provides a much smoother, less time consuming process. It's much more difficult for your insurance company to dispute the insurance claim estimate that was issued to them in the format that they have requested.
Watch out for yourself, protect and educate yourself, and always seek insurance claim help 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?
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