Hurricane Damage and Your Hollywood Public Adjuster

Your Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale public adjuster represents your interests when you make a claim against your homeowners' insurance. Just as you would have an attorney at your side in a court case as your advocate, having a public adjuster with you throughout the insurance claims process helps ensure the best possible result.

Hurricanes and Percentage-Based Windstorm Deductibles

Home insurers often use a percentage-based deductible for windstorm damage after a hurricane. That means that rather than the flat deductible you pay for most claims, your deductible after a hurricane may be based on a percentage of the value of your home. The windstorm deductible may be triggered by a storm that is declared to be a tropical storm or hurricane, or by the severity category of the storm. Working with a public adjuster helps ensure you get all the coverage you have paid for.

Watch Out for Unlicensed Public Adjusters

After major storms, unlicensed "adjusters" prey on people with home damage, and they can do more harm than good. Stick with a licensed Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale public adjuster to be confident that you will receive the maximum settlement to which you are entitled.

Preparing for the Meeting with Your Adjuster

Make an inventory of damaged items in your home and do not throw out any damaged items before your South Florida adjuster visits. It's a good idea to photograph or video record the damage before any clean-up is done. If you have to make temporary emergency repairs to keep your home livable before the adjuster arrives, keep your receipts. Keep copies of all documents you turn in to your insurer.

Get the Coverage You Have Paid For

Hollywood public adjusters are paid based on a percentage of your insurance settlement. In many cases, you end up with a significantly better settlement than you would have on your own, even after accounting for the adjuster's fees. You have paid your insurance premiums faithfully over the years, and when you need to make a claim, you should work with a public adjuster to ensure you receive the best possible settlement.

With South Florida Homeowners Insurance Claims Water Damage Is Complex

In many South Florida homeowners insurance claims water damage is listed as the basis for the claim. However, insurers are very particular about what caused the water damage. Sometimes claims are denied based on small mistakes in the claims process. If you suffer water damage, call a South Florida public insurance adjuster at your first opportunity to maximize chances of having your claim approved.

Determining the Cause or Causes of Water Damage Is Critical

South Florida insurance water damage claims hinge on the cause of the water damage. Regular "all perils" homeowner insurance policies generally exclude flood damage. But with hurricanes, it's not obvious what constitutes flood damage and what constitutes water damage unrelated to flooding. A public claims adjuster knows how to determine what caused your water damage and if it is covered under your policy. He or she will also help you prepare your claim to maximize your settlement.

Insurance Policies and Water Damage Claims

The wording in your insurance policy is probably confusing to you, and that's one of the best reasons to call a public insurance adjuster after water damage. You may face strict time limits for reporting the damage as well as other coverage limitations. Your public adjuster knows how to interpret your policy and how to submit a claim that will get you the maximum to which you're entitled.

When Water Damage Has Multiple Causes

After a hurricane or other big storm, it's not always easy to know exactly what caused your water damage. Furthermore, if your insurance policy has an "anti-concurrent causation" clause, you could have an even harder battle to fight over coverage. Water damage claims must follow the policy rules down to the letter or risk being denied.

Call a Public Insurance Adjuster Right Away After Water Damage

When you suffer water damage from any cause, whether a burst pipe or a storm, one of the first calls (if not the first call) you should make should be to a licensed public insurance adjuster. Approval of your water damage claim could be at risk if you try to handle it on your own.