11 Signs Your Insurer is Acting in Bad Faith

Good insurance companies treat you fairly and ethically. Bad insurance companies make you feel like you’ve done something wrong.

When does a normal insurance investigation cross into “bad faith” territory?

What’s the difference between a slow claim and a bad faith insurance claim?

Today, we’re explaining the top 11 most common signs your insurer is acting in bad faith.

Denying Your Claim Without Good Reason

If an insurer has denied your insurance claim without giving a good reason, then your insurer could be acting in bad faith.

State insurance laws require insurers to provide a reason for each denied claim. If there isn’t a good reason, then the insurer cannot deny the claim.

Your insurer must also provide documentation for the denied claim upon request. All reputable insurers provide documentation when denying your claim – like detailed information about why your claim was denied. They should send you a denial letter that quotes your policy language to explain the denial to you.

Unusually Long Investigation of Your Claim

Is your insurer taking a long time to investigate your claim? Is your insurer dragging out your claim or demanding excessive evidence with no apparent reason?

It could be a sign your insurer is acting in bad faith. When an insurer takes an unusually long time to investigate your claim, they could be delaying your claim in the hopes you’ll accept a reduced offer. Or, they could be trying to frustrate you, trip you up, or find some excuse to deny your claim.

Unusually Short Investigation of Your Claim

In other cases, the insurer takes too little time to investigate your claim and seems to not care about certain details of your claim.

Your insurer may have preconceived notions of the validity of your claim, leading them to conduct a basic investigation before denying your claim without good reason.

Insurers have an obligation to investigate claims. If the insurer doesn’t adequately investigate your claim within an ordinary length of time, your insurer could be acting in bad faith.

Reducing Your Payment Without Good Reason

You may have expected to get $100,000 for your property damage insurance claim, but your insurer only offers $25,000.

If the insurer provided a reason – like the damage was caused by a non-covered peril – then that may be valid. However, insurers who offer a low payout without providing a reason may be acting in bad faith. Like a denied claim, a reduced claim without good reason could be a lazy attempt by the insurer to save money.

Demanding Excessive Proof

You are required by law to provide proof of the insurance claim to your insurer.

You may provide photos, documents, receipts, videos, and other evidence proving the incident took place and on the date and time it took place.

However, when an insurer demands excessive proof, it could be a sign they’re acting in bad faith.

Insurers may demand excess proof when they’re trying to find a reason to deny or reduce your claim. They may be trying to frustrate you with a lengthy claim investigation. Or, they might make you feel like you’re guilty in the hopes that something turns up during the investigation – even if that thing has no relation to your claim.

Failing to Pay the Agreed Amount

Some insurers practice in good faith through the entire claim process – only to act in bad faith during the actual payment process.

Insurers may fail to pay the agreed amount on the date you expected, for example. Or, in some cases, insurers may fail to pay the settlement within a reasonable length of time at all. The insurer may be dragging its feet on sending out a payment.

In some cases, the insurer has a cash flow problem: if your insurer recently faced a large natural disaster over a large portion of its customer base, for example, your insurer may be struggling to pay all of the claims from policyholders in your area.

Delayed payments could be a sign you have a bad faith insurer – or your insurer nearing bankruptcy. Neither are good for the future of your insurance claim.

Threatening You in Any Way

When an insurer threatens you, it’s a sign your insurer is acting in bad faith.

Insurers may threaten to reduce your claim if you hire a public adjuster, for example. Or, they may warn you against getting a third party estimate for repairs to your home.

In these situations, the insurer is threatening you to protect their own best interests. They want to pay you as little for your claim as possible, so they threaten you and hope you don’t understand your rights as a policyholder.

Denying Your Request for Documentation

As a policyholder, you have certain rights under insurance laws. One of those rights is to receive documentation when you request it.

If an insurer denies your claim, for example, then you can request documentation explaining why your claim was denied.

If your insurer denies your request for documentation, then they may lack a good reason to deny or reduce your claim, which means they’re acting in bad faith.

The insurer may believe you’ll accept the denial or reduction of your claim at face value. Don’t let them think they’ll get away with it.

Attempting to Blame the Policyholder

Bad faith insurers may accuse the policyholder of insurance fraud, claim they failed to maintain their property, or reference multiple parts of the insurance policy to justify a lower payout.

When your insurer attempts to blame the policyholder without good reason for that blame, it’s a sign they may be acting in bad faith.

Their Claim Denial References Multiple Parts of Your Insurance Policy

Insurance policies are complicated, and most homeowners don’t fully understand what they mean. There’s complex terms, jargon, and legalese in your insurance contract.

Insurers may try to take advantage of this fact by referring to multiple parts of your insurance policy. They might assume you don’t understand your coverage, using complicated terms to justify a denied or reduced claim. They often use wording from your contents coverage to deny your dwelling coverage. Make sure you know where the wording is being pulled from in your policy.

Did your insurer cite multiple parts of your policy to justify denying your claim? They may be taking a “throw everything at the wall and see what sticks” approach, overwhelming you with complex terms to avoid paying your claim.

Check your policy thoroughly. Or, consult with a lawyer or public adjuster to verify the policy language.

Poor Communication & Long Response Times

On its own, poor communication isn’t a sign your insurer is acting in bad faith. Some insurers are busy or bad at communicating.

However, insurers have a legal obligation to respond to your concerns in a reasonable length of time. Insurers that fail to do that may be acting in bad faith.

When you contact your insurer to report a claim, for example, the insurer must process that claim within a certain length of time. The specific length of time varies from state to state: some states have a specific limit (like 30 to 60 days) while others simply require a “reasonable” length of time.

A Bad Faith Insurer’s Worst Nightmare: Clients Who Hire a Public Adjuster

Bad faith insurers don’t like when policyholders hire a public adjuster. It means they’re fighting back against their bad faith practices.

When you hire a public adjuster, you’re hiring someone to represent your own best interests in the insurance claim – not your insurance company’s best interests.

Your insurance company has an adjuster, and that adjuster’s role is to pay you as little for your claim as possible.

By hiring your own adjuster, you get someone in your corner representing your best interests. Someone that reads insurance policies every day. Someone that knows what to expect next in the claims process.

Your public adjuster can challenge your insurer’s estimates, negotiate with your insurer on your behalf, provide documentation proving every penny of damage, and fight back against bad faith practices.

Don’t let your bad faith insurer push you around or take advantage of your inexperience.

Schedule a free, no-obligations consultation with a public adjuster today by contacting ClaimsMate.

Article Source Here: 11 Signs Your Insurer is Acting in Bad Faith

How to Handle a Low Offer from Your Home Insurance Company: Proven Tips & Steps to Take

A lowball offer may be an attempt to take advantage of your inexperience. It might convince you that your claim isn’t legitimate, or that you deserve a reduced payout. Policyholders will often try to find the cheapest labor to match that approved amount. You should be able to hire anyone in that area, not just a jack of all trades. Professional roofing contractors and other general contractors are what you deserve as a policyholder.

Fortunately, there are proven ways to fight back against lowball offers from your insurance company. Keep reading to find out the steps to take after your insurance company’s lowball offer – and proven tips for navigating a low offer from your home insurance company.

Review your Policy

Before challenging your insurer’s offer, it’s best to understand your coverage from front to back.

Review your insurance policy to ensure you understand what’s covered and what isn’t. Make sure you understand any exclusions. Look up any terms you don’t recognize. Know that to maximize your claim, you have to understand the contract between you and your insurance company. This is what your insurance policy is… a contract.

Review your Insurance Company’s Reason for the Lowball Offer

Generally, your insurer will provide documentation to justify the low offer. They may claim certain damages occurred because of an excluded peril, for example, or that other damage was caused by poor maintenance or “wear and tear” on your property due to age.

Review your insurance company’s documentation and compare it to the information in your insurance policy. Is there a justifiable reason for the denial? Most public adjusters know the difference between “wear and tear” and new damages and they know how to prove it to your insurance company.

Document Everything and Re-Approach Your Insurer

To receive a fair amount for your insurance claim, you need to provide evidence of the condition of your property and after the loss, along with the cost of restoring your property to pre-loss condition. If you fail to provide evidence, your insurer may send you a low offer.

Start by listing pre-loss conditions for your home. What condition was your property in before the loss? How much was your property worth before the damage occurred?

To justify the pre-loss condition for your property, use evidence like the following:

• A house appraisal
• A home inspector’s report
• A recent assessment of your property – say, if you just refinanced
• The listing for your home
• The original house plans

Then, document any costs you’ve put into your home – including repairs or renovations before and after the loss:

• Invoices from independent contractors
• Receipts for repair or replacement materials from the hardware store
• Any other costs you paid before the loss to increase the value of your home
• Any other costs you paid after the loss to repair the home to pre-loss condition

Once you’ve organized all this documentation, send it to your insurer. If you genuinely have good evidence of a legitimate claim, then your insurer will struggle to deny or reduce your payout.

Remember: the more evidence you can provide, the better. The trick is knowing when to provide this evidence so that you don’t complicate your claim or cause it to go to the bottom of the pile. Some adjusters get over worked and tend to close the claims that are the easiest to close.

Watch for Warning Signs of a Low Offer

One of the problems with a low offer is that it may not seem like a low offer.

In fact, many insurers dazzle you with a number that seems big in the hopes that you’ll accept the offer and close the claim quickly. In reality, the insurer wants to limit its liability as much as possible.

Warning signs of a low offer include:

1. The insurer failed to sufficiently investigate the claim, taking very little time to determine the facts of the claim.
2. The insurer ignored certain damages or left damaged areas of your home out of their initial estimate.
3. The insurer company repeatedly asks you to accept the offer or tries to convince you that this is the best offer you’ll get.
4. The insurer asks you to get three quotes or estimates from contractors right after a storm or catastrophic event. They will always accept the lowest of the three and that contractor has often underbid the job in order to get your business. They always come back with additional charges later and your insurance company might not approve them, leaving you with an unfinished repair and no additional money to make those repairs.
5. You are unable to hire most licensed and insured contractors that you speak with for the repairs.

3 Dangers of a Lowball Insurance Claim

A lowball insurance claim offer means less money to repair and recover after a loss. However, it can also complicate many aspects of your claim – and even compromise the future of your house.

Some of the dangers of a low insurance company offer include:

• Being forced to cut corners on parts and labor. If your insurer paid $5,000 to repair your roof but your roofer tells you it will be $20,000, then you may be tempted to use cheap parts or labor. Cutting corners on repairs could compromise the structural integrity of your home. Cheap roofers often don’t install the roof correctly and then if there is damage again, the insurance company will deny the claim for an “improper install”.
• Difficulty finding contractors to do the work. If your insurer insists it costs $2,000 to replace your floors but contractors are quoting you $10,000, then you may struggle to find a contractor to do the work. You are often left with unskilled labor and unfinished repairs.
• Paying out of pocket when the insurer should rightfully cover everything. Ultimately, a lowball insurance claim could force you to pay out of pocket for repairs that would normally be covered. You pay for home insurance, and you deserve the payout you paid for.

Other Steps After a Lowball Offer: What Are My Options?

What are your options after a low insurance offer? What can you do to push back against your insurance company?

Step 1) Review your claim. Check your policy’s coverage, then check your claim and the reasons justifying your lowball offer. Before you file a formal dispute with your insurer, you need to ensure you understand everything about your claim from start to finish. There could be a legitimate reason for the denial or lowball offer – like documentation your insurer failed to receive.

Step 2) Ask for your insurer to review your claim. Contact your insurance company’s adjuster and ask them to review your claim. The adjuster may have made a mistake, missed a crucial piece of evidence, or failed to add a certain amount of damage to the claim. The insurer may re-send the original adjuster to your property to review the claim. Or, they could send a new adjuster or a building consultant.

Step 3) File a formal dispute against your insurer. If you’re still unhappy with the way your claim was handled, then file a formal dispute against your insurer. All insurers have a formal process for handling disputes. The dispute process may involve hiring a third party, pushing your claim to someone with higher authority (like a manager), or completing a full review of your claim.

Step 4) Hire your own public adjuster. A public adjuster could double or even triple your insurance payout by spotting items your insurer missed – or deliberately ignored. Public adjusters are trained insurance industry professionals who work on your behalf and represent your best interests. A public adjuster can review your claim, assess damages, write legitimate estimates and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf for a higher settlement.

Step 5) File a complaint with your state. If you’re still unhappy with your insurance company, then file a complaint with state authorities. Each state has its own insurance commission, and this insurance commission handles complaints from insurers across the state.

Step 6) Consider hiring an attorney. If you still haven’t experienced a resolution to your claim, then consider hiring an attorney. An attorney can explain the pros and cons of suing your insurer, along with the likelihood of winning your case. Be prepared to wait for the settlement for over a year in most cases. This should be your last step, when all else has failed.

Hire a Public Adjuster to Fight Back Against a Low Offer

Dealing with all of the steps above can be intimidating – especially if you’ve never dealt with a major homeowners insurance claim before.

Fortunately, help exists in the form of public adjusters.

Public adjusters work on your behalf – not your insurer’s behalf. They negotiate with your insurer on your behalf to obtain a higher settlement.

A public adjuster can:

• Identify the intricate details and coverages of your insurance policy and use your policy language to your benefit
• Provide proof of these damages in a timely fashion to your insurance company to maximize your coverage and payout
• Demand that your insurance company make a full payment for your loss within the time frames allowed by state laws
• Write a valid repair estimate that will include all proper repair methods so that you have enough money to cover skilled labor
• Document everything and manage the rebuilding or repair process to ensure a smooth claim from start to finish

Discover how a public adjuster could help you obtain the highest possible payout for your insurance claim.

Contact ClaimsMate today for a free consultation with a public adjuster.

Read Full Article Here: How to Handle a Low Offer from Your Home Insurance Company: Proven Tips & Steps to Take

How Mold Damage Insurance Claims Work

Keep reading to find out how mold damage insurance claims work and how much you could receive for your mold damage insurance claim.

When Does Home Insurance Cover Mold?

Mold damage is a common exclusion on home insurance policies. However, there are some situations where home insurance covers mold.

If mold damage was caused by a sudden or accidental event, for example, then home insurance could cover it. If a pipe suddenly burst, causing mold damage behind your walls, then home insurance could cover the mold damage.

On the other hand, home insurance won’t cover mold damage linked to poor maintenance – like a pipe slowly leaking behind your walls over a six month period, or an upstairs bathtub that had been leaking for years.

Some of the most common situations where home insurance covers mold damage insurance claims include:

• A pipe or drain hose suddenly ruptured or started to leak
• An appliance – like a dishwasher or washing machine – malfunctioned, leading to mold damage
• Your toilet suddenly started to overflow
• Firefighters extinguished a house fire, causing mold damage within your property
• Rain from a storm entered your property, leading to mold damage

In all of these situations, insurers could cover the entire cost of mold removal and remediation, up to the limits of your policy. You could receive $10,000 in compensation for mold removal instead of paying out of pocket.

When Does Home Insurance Not Cover Mold?

Home insurance will not cover mold in many situations.

If the damage occurred over a long period, for example, then home insurance may not cover mold. If you ignored a leaking pipe behind your walls for months, for example, and that leaking pipe caused mold, then you may not be able to make a home insurance claim.

Home insurance will also not cover mold damage caused by flooding. Unless you have supplemental flood insurance, in fact, your home insurance does not cover flood damage of any type.

Some of the situations where home insurance does not cover mold include:

• Mold damage caused by flooding
• Mold damage caused by maintenance issues wear-and-tear, like a leaking pipe dripping behind your walls for months without you noticing
• Mold damage caused by water backups (like a clogged sewer line or a broken sump pump)
• Mold damage beyond a certain dollar amount (most policies cover $1,000 to $10,000 of mold damage)
• Mold damage caused by broken or dirty roof gutters that caused water to flow over other parts of the house
• Mold damage caused by poor ventilation (like humidity buildup in a poorly-ventilated bathroom)

Depending on your mold damage, you could have plenty of coverage for the incident. Or, you could be forced to pay out of pocket to remediate your mold damage.

How Mold Damage Insurance Claims Work

If you believe your home insurance policy covers mold, then you may want to file a homeowners insurance claim for your mold damage.

Here’s how a typical mold damage insurance claim works:

1. Contact your insurer to report the incident. Call your insurer’s 24/7 claims hotline or contact your insurance agent. Your insurer assigns a number to your claim, and an adjuster contacts you with the next steps.
2. Document the damage by taking photos or videos. Take as many photos and videos of the mold growth as possible. Document damaged items and their approximate value. If you have a home inventory list, this inventory list can make your insurance claim easier. The more evidence you can provide to your insurer, the easier your mold damage insurance claim will be.
3. Take whatever steps possible to limit the damage. If the area is safe, take steps to limit further damage. Turn off the water at your home. Remove waterlogged items. Run a dehumidifier. If your home is unsafe to live, secure alternative accommodations. Make sure your home insurance adjuster sees all significant damage before you start the restoration or cleaning process.
4. Hire a restoration company. Your insurance company may recommend a mold remediation company or restoration company to begin the first repair steps. This company can secure the scene, remove water-damaged walls and flooring, and begin the remediation process. Mold can be messy, and it’s important to hire professionals to ensure the job gets done right.
5. Contact a public adjuster for any disputes or issues with your claim. A public adjuster represents your best interests in the insurance claim. They negotiate with the insurer on your behalf, secure the highest possible amount of compensation for your insurance claim, and ensure your insurer pays you every penny you are legally owed. If the insurer is dragging its feet, denying your insurance claim, or lowering your compensation, then contact a public adjuster to fight back.

As Nationwide explains, you should also take future steps to prevent mold growth in your home – like ensuring good ventilation and keeping up-to-date with repairs.

How Much is a Mold Damage Insurance Claim Worth?

The average mold damage insurance claim is worth anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the scope of the damage.

If your property has significant mold damage, it could cost $20,000 to $35,000 to remediate that damage. In fact, mold damage insurance claims can quickly spiral in cost, which is why many insurers assign limits.

Many homeowners insurance policies have a limit of around $1,000 to $10,000 for mold damage and remediation. Check your policy to verify your limits.

Concerned About Future Mold Claims? Add Supplemental Coverage

If you’re concerned about mold claims in the future, then consider adding supplemental coverage to your insurance policy.

These supplemental coverages can increase the likelihood of your insurer covering a mold problem.

Contact your insurer and ask about supplemental coverages like:

• Water Backup Coverage: Ordinary home insurance policies do not cover sewer or sump pump backups. Generally, if water flows from the ground up into your house (say, with flooding or sewer backups), insurance won’t cover it. If you add water backup coverage to your policy, then your insurer should cover any mold damage caused by backed up sewers or sump pumps.
• Hidden Water Damage Coverage: Some insurers let you add hidden water damage coverage to your policy. If there’s a hidden leak behind your walls and you don’t notice it, then insurance will not normally cover it. If you have hidden water damage coverage, however, your insurer will cover most mold damage.
• Flood Insurance: If you live in a flood-prone area, you may want to add flood damage to your policy. Flood coverage, available through the National Flood Insurance Program (via FEMA), covers damage caused by rising floodwaters, including mold damage and structural damage. Without flood insurance, you may need to pay for flood damage repairs out of pocket.

It may cost just a few dollars per month to add these coverages to your policy, but it can help you save thousands of dollars on a future mold insurance claim.

How ClaimsMate Public Adjusters Help with Mold Damage Claims

Mold claims are usually the hardest to get covered under your policy. There are very fine lines and even State Laws that have to be taken into consideration. ClaimsMate’s public adjusters specialize in mold damage insurance claims, water damage claims, and other homeowners insurance claims.

Some of the ways in which a ClaimsMate public adjuster helps include:

• Speed up your insurance claim, ensuring you receive the payment you need as soon as possible.
• Negotiate with your insurer on your behalf for a higher payout.
• Organize documentation and evidence for your insurer.
• Maximize compensation by providing photos, videos, receipts, and other evidence validating your mold damage insurance claim.
• Manage your claim, repairs, and associated processes from start to finish to ensure an optimal outcome.
  Provide you with an expert insurance professional on your side who represents your best interests – not your insurer’s best interests.

Schedule a free consultation with a ClaimsMate public adjuster today to see how a public adjuster could help with your insurance claim.

Final Word

Mold damage doesn’t go away on its own. You need to take steps to fix your mold damage.

Homeowners insurance does not typically cover mold damage. However, it may cover mold damage in certain instances – say, if the damage was caused by a burst pipe or by a storm.

Contact your insurer or speak with a public adjuster to start your mold damage insurance claim and get the compensation you are owed.

Original Post Here: How Mold Damage Insurance Claims Work

What Are Additional Living Expenses for Home Insurance Claims?

Understanding additional living expenses can add thousands of dollars to your claim. This is money you are rightfully owed.

Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about additional living expenses and how they work for home insurance claims.

How Additional Living Expense Coverage Works

When you buy home insurance, you’re buying protection against unexpected events.

If your home is destroyed in a house fire, for example, your insurer covers the cost of repairing or replacing your home.

Your insurer also covers certain unexpected costs related to the incident – like additional costs you must pay to live safely after a fire. These are additional living expenses, and they include things like car rental costs, hotels, meals out, and more. This is an additional coverage above and beyond your policy limits for the dwelling coverage. If you don’t see Additional Living Expense coverage on your Declarations Page, you need to contact your agent and add this to your policy.

Once this coverage is added to your policy, Insurers don’t expect you to live on the street after a house fire; instead, they expect you to find suitable accommodations for yourself and your family, buy clothing and food, purchase storage space for possessions, and pay for any other additional living expenses you would not normally have incurred.

If you have been forced out of your home due to a covered incident (like a house fire or flood), then make sure to keep all receipts. Your insurer is required, per the terms of your insurance contract, to cover certain additional living expenses. That could mean thousands of extra dollars on your final claim.

What Are Considered Additional Living Expenses?

According to United Policyholders, all of the following items are examples of what could be considered additional living expenses:

• Rent for temporary housing, including the cost of a short-term rental property, hotel accommodations, or other living situations.
• Mileage to and from the temporary accommodations to your place of employment, adult and children’s activities (like schools, ports, clubs, or lessons), or your house of worship.
• Mileage to and from the temporary accommodations to all locations linked to the rebuild of your property, including furniture stores, hardware stores, and appliance shops, among others.
• Meals eaten when living away from your property, including food costs above what you would normally pay.
• The cost of setting up new services at your temporary accommodations (like a new internet plan or new utilities).
• The cost of laundry and certain other tasks you are normally able to perform at home.
• Moving costs incurred when moving from the temporary accommodation back to the original property (say, your rebuilt or repaired home).
• Additional fuel costs incurred as a result of the loss.
• The cost of a rental car and other types of transportation.
• The cost of storing certain items after a loss, including new and old furniture and certain other items.
• The cost of moving furniture and other items into your home after a loss.
• The cost of cleaning your temporary accommodation after you leave.
• The cost of pet boarding.
• Many other additional costs you incurred as a result of a covered loss, up to the point where you can safely move back into your home or reach your policy limit (whatever comes first).

Your insurer is required to cover all of these things as additional living expenses if this coverage is added to your policy. Keep your receipts and track your spending after a loss to ensure you’re receiving appropriate compensation.

What Is Not Covered by Additional Living Expenses?

Additional living expenses are just that: additional living expenses. They’re costs you are forced to pay in addition to your ordinary living expenses.

You don’t normally need to spend a week in a hotel and eat out for three meals a day, for example. However, if your home was destroyed by a tornado, then these are additional living expenses you need to pay.

For that same reason, insurance will not cover ordinary living expenses. Items not typically covered under additional living expense coverage include costs you are already responsible for paying, including:

• Childcare
• Insurance
• Mortgage
• Food
• Utilities
• Other ordinary expenses you normally pay

Your insurer will not usually cover the cost of fuel for your vehicle. However, if you are forced to stay in a neighboring city after a loss and add an extra 50 miles to your commute, then your insurer could cover the additional cost of fuel as part of your additional living expenses.

How to Claim Additional Living Expenses

Insurers ask for proof of additional living expenses you incurred as a result of a covered loss.

Typically, you submit any required receipts or invoices to your insurer to receive compensation. Your insurer checks the receipts, verifies they’re additional living expenses under the terms of your insurance policy, then reimburses you for the costs. For meals at restaurants, you must keep the itemized receipt for them to consider it and pay for it.

Contact your insurance company’s adjuster or submit receipts to your insurer to receive compensation for additional living expense coverage.

How to Adjust Additional Living Expense Coverage

Many homeowners are surprised to discover they can adjust additional living expense coverage.

Most homeowners insurance policies have a default percentage of additional living expense coverage – say, around 25% of your insurance policy’s dwelling coverage. Most homeowners never change this percentage, and it’s sufficient for most homeowners.

However, some homeowners choose to upgrade their additional living expense coverage to something called “actual loss sustained” coverage. Under actual loss sustained coverage, your insurer covers all additional living expenses with no limit. Whether you need to spend a week or a year in a hotel, your insurer covers your costs without a limit.

Check your “loss of use” or “additional living expense” portion of your home insurance policy to verify you understand your coverage limits. If your coverage limits are too low, then you may want to upgrade to actual loss sustained coverage.

How Long Will Insurers Cover Additional Living Expenses?

Insurers typically cover additional living expenses to the following limits (whichever comes first):

• Until you can move back into your home (say, after it’s rebuilt or repaired)
• Until you reach your policy limit

Whether you’re outside of your home for one year or one week, insurers typically must cover additional living expenses until you reach one of the above.

Public Adjusters Help Maximize Additional Living Expense Compensation

Few homeowners understand everything covered under additional living expenses. Fortunately, public adjusters can help.

Public adjusters have handled hundreds – sometimes even thousands – of claims. They know what’s covered, what insurers are required to pay, and how to hold insurers accountable.

Public adjusters can easily identify additional living expenses that you have not yet claimed, potentially adding thousands of dollars to your insurance claim.

Contact ClaimsMate today to speak with a public adjuster about your insurance claim.

The sooner you speak to a public adjuster, the sooner you can get the compensation you deserve for additional living expenses and all other damages incurred after a loss.

Article Source Here: What Are Additional Living Expenses for Home Insurance Claims?

5 Warning Signs There May Be an Issue With Your Home Insurance Claim

Sometimes, the insurer is simply doing their due diligence, researching your claim and verifying the facts.

In other cases, these warning signs suggest the insurer is denying your claim or reducing your payout.

Your insurer may be acting in bad faith, deliberately delaying your claim unnecessarily to frustrate you and convince you to take a lower payout.

Here are five warning signs there could be an issue with your insurance claim.

You Haven’t Heard from Your Insurer in a While

Typically, your insurer updates you frequently during the claim process. They may contact you for information, respond with updates, issue advance payments, and keep you in the loop.

If your insurer has suddenly stopped communicating, however, and has not updated your claim in a while, then it could be a sign of an issue with your claim.

States require insurers to respond to your requests in an appropriate length of time. Some states have specific laws – like 14 to 30 days – during which insurers must respond to your claim. Other states require insurers to respond in a “reasonable” length of time. If your insurer hasn’t responded to your claim in a while, it could indicate an issue with your claim.

Contact your insurer and request an update. Keep a record of all communication with your insurer, including the dates and times of the conversation and the topics discussed. When you hang up the phone, follow the call with an email to the person you spoke to and outline what you discussed. Ask them to respond if any of the information you have recapped is incorrect.

Your Insurer Notifies that Your Claim is Being Investigated

Insurance companies lose billions each year to fraud. Insurers investigate claims as part of their normal due diligence process.

A formal “investigation,” however, is not a normal part of a standard home insurance claim. All claims take time for processing, but this processing time is different than an investigation:

• If your insurer tells you your claim is being processed or going through processing, then this is a normal and expected part of the claims process. Your insurer is simply verifying your paperwork and other documentation and proceeding with your claim as normal.
• If your insurer tells you your claim is being investigated, then this may not be a good sign. It could indicate the insurer needs more evidence to verify your claim, for example. Or, it could indicate the insurer believes your claim was not legitimate or that some or all damage is not covered by your policy.

If you have a good insurer and a legitimate claim, then there may be little reason to worry: the insurer might simply be doing their due diligence.

If you have a poorly-rated insurer, however, then there could be a reason to worry. Some insurers investigate claims unnecessarily to slow down the payout process, frustrating homeowners and convincing you to accept a lower payout.

It’s Been 30 Days Since Filing a Claim With No Settlement or Notification

State laws vary. However, most insurers aim to resolve claims within around 30 days. During these 30 days, the insurer looks over your claim, verifies your information, and either approves or denies your claim. If this is a flood claim or a “catastrophe” claim, then that time limit is extended to 90 days.

If it’s been 30 days since filing your claim and you haven’t heard much from your insurer, then it could be a cause for concern. Typically, insurers alert customers within 30 days if their claim has been approved or denied.

Look for a formal letter within a 30 day window. If you haven’t received a formal letter approving or denying your claim, consider reaching out to your insurer or hiring a public adjuster.

Your Insurer is Asking Excessive Questions

Insurance companies investigate claims as a normal part of their job. However, if the insurer is asking an excessive number of questions, it could indicate a problem with your claim – or an insurer acting in bad faith.

Your insurance company should ask three basic questions after a claim:

1. What happened to your property? What type of damage occurred to your home?
2. How have your home, property, or possessions been damaged?
3. What is your proof of these damages?

If the insurance company continues to ask questions beyond the questions above, it could indicate a problem with your claim.

Some insurers ask excessive questions to trip you up, for example, and cast doubt on your claim.

Other insurers ask excessive questions to delay your claim unnecessarily. Both of these are serious issues where your insurer is acting in bad faith.

The Insurance Company Requests a Recorded Statement

Sometimes, your insurer requests a recorded statement as part of the investigation process. The insurer may ask you to sit for a recorded interview with their adjuster or they may ask you to do a sworn statement under oath at a law firm.

During the interview, the insurance company’s adjuster asks questions, and your answers are formally recorded and used for or against your claim.

Generally, insurance experts do not recommend giving a recorded statement to your insurance company. In many cases, it’s a trap. This is the time to seek help and have a licensed adjuster prepare you for the call.

Even if you have a legitimate home insurance claim, your insurer could find reason to deny your claim with a recorded statement. If you misspeak or incorrectly remember something, for example, then your insurer could use that information to deny your claim or reduce your payout.

Solution: Fight Back by Hiring a Public Adjuster

There’s a simple solution for all of these warning signs: fight back by hiring an insurance professional to represent your side of the battle.

A public adjuster represents you – not the insurance company. The public adjuster fights for your best interests, negotiating with your insurer to ensure you receive every penny owed to you.

If your insurer is acting in bad faith, then your public adjuster can call out your insurer. Public adjusters know the tricks insurers use to reduce payouts or deny claims – and they know how to push back on behalf of the policyholder.

Whether your insurer is acting in bad faith or just being slow, you could speed up your claim, increase your payout, and receive the payout you deserve with a good public adjuster.

Get Insurance Claim Help When Necessary

When a home insurance claim goes smoothly, your insurer processes it quickly, approves the paperwork and documentation, and pays you based on the terms of your policy.
In many cases, however, insurance claims don’t go smoothly. Insurers could demand excessive paperwork to reduce your payout, for example, or act in bad faith to delay your claim.

Hire a licensed public adjuster in your area to help. ClaimsMate is a licensed public adjuster company with a proven track record for resolving claims.

If you have a complicated claim and a difficult insurer, then it may be in your best interest to hire a public adjuster. Contact ClaimsMate today for a free consultation.

Article Here: 5 Warning Signs There May Be an Issue With Your Home Insurance Claim

How to Pick a Good Home Insurance Provider: Tips & Best Practices

If you pick a good insurer, you could experience a smooth, stress-free claim.

For all of these reasons and more, it’s worth spending time researching a good home insurance provider.

Here are some of the strategies for picking a good home insurance provider, including our tips and best practices.

Check J.D. Power Home Insurance Company Ratings

You can read plenty of guides online about the “Top 10 Best Home Insurance Companies” in the United States. Some lists are unbiased, while others have obvious favorites.

Fortunately, you don’t need to trust random articles online; instead, you can use J.D. Power to assess the quality of home insurance companies across the country.

Each year, J.D. Power polls homeowners across the United States who have recently made a claim. Homeowners describe their experience and overall satisfaction. Then, J.D. Power uses thousands of survey responses to rank today’s best insurers.

J.D. Power recently published the results of its 2023 home insurance study:

J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking for Homeowners Insurance

• USAA (881)
• Erie (856)
• Amica (844)
• Auto-Owners Insurance (834)
• AIG (831)
• State Farm (829)
• COUNTRY Financial (819)
• Segment Average (819)
• American Family (813)
• Nationwide (812)
• Allstate (809)
• The Hartford (807)
• Travelers (790)
• Liberty Mutual (789)

Because USAA restricts membership to military personnel and their families, they weren’t technically eligible for the top spot – despite scoring significantly higher than competitors. According to J.D. Power, Erie Insurance is the best homeowners insurance company in the United States for 2023 based on the overall satisfaction of customers.

Before buying a home insurance policy, check the insurer’s J.D. Power rankings. Many insurers claim to emphasize customer service – only to disappoint customers during a claim. With J.D. Power’s rankings, you get genuine thoughts from customers who have recently made a claim.

You can view J.D. Power’s full 2023 home insurance company rankings here.

Check the NAIC’s Complaint Index

Some insurance companies have a higher-than-average number of complaints compared to competitors.

All insurance companies – even the best-rated ones – get complaints. A homeowner may be dissatisfied with a hidden term in their policy, for example, or have a bad experience with a specific adjuster.

When a company frequently has a higher-than-average number of complaints, however, it suggests there’s something amiss.

Fortunately, you can check how many complaints each insurer gets using the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Insurance Search feature. The NAIC collects information on each insurer, then tracks the number of complaints about insurers over time.

Here’s how to use the NAIC’s complaint index feature:

1. Visit the NAIC’s Consumer Insurance Search form here: https://content.naic.org/cis_consumer_information.htm
2. Enter the name of the insurance company you wish to learn more about.
3. Click on the company, then click “Go to Complaint Trend Report”
4. Look for the company’s Complaint Index. The national average is 1.0. If the company has a number higher than 1.0, then they have more complaints than expected for a company of its size.

In the example below, you can see GEICO has a complaint index of 1.21, for example, which means GEICO receives more complaints than average for a company of its size.

If a company has a Complaint Index of 2.0, it means they have twice as many complaints as the nationwide average.

The NAIC calculates the Company Complaint Index by dividing the company’s share of complaints in the United States market by the company’s share of premiums in the market.

Check your insurer’s NAIC Complaint Index before signing up for a policy. Few insurers publish this information upfront, which is why it’s important to check.

Check a Company’s Financial Strength Rating (FSR)

If an insurance company files for bankruptcy, it is much harder to have your claim paid. Some claims are not paid at all, depending upon how the bankruptcy is structured.

It may sound unlikely, but many insurers are one regional disaster away from declaring bankruptcy. Many filed for bankruptcy in 2023 after Hurricane Ian in Florida.

Fortunately, the best insurers have strong financial strength ratings and a diversified policyholder base. These companies are unlikely to face issues paying your claims for the foreseeable future.

There are multiple ways to check a company’s financial strength rating, including:

• Use A.M. Best’s online form to search for your home insurance company. A.M. Best analyzes assets and liabilities of an insurance company, then assigns a financial strength rating to each one. Financial strength ratings range from D to A++, with A++ being the highest. The stronger your insurance company’s position, the better your financial strength rating will be.
• Use Standard & Poor’s Corporation rates to assess the financial strength of your insurance company. Like A.M. Best, S&P assesses corporations based on their assets and liabilities. However, S&P does not perform an audit in connection with its ratings. You can view S&P’s list of corporations and financial strength ratings here.
• Use other ratings organizations with similar databases, including Fitch Ratings, Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA), or Moody’s Investor Services.

Be Wary of Online Insurance Company Reviews

We haven’t recommended a specific home insurance company on our list, nor have we ranked the top 10 best home insurance companies in the United States. Why? Because many of these lists are biased.

A quick Google search for “insurance company reviews” or “best insurance companies” reveals many websites recommending poorly-rated insurers simply because they get paid for each referral.

Online reviews can also be overly negative – even for good insurers. Most people don’t bother reviewing their home insurance company unless they’ve had a bad claim, for example.

Check insurance company reviews before you sign up. But be wary of misinformation and biased information online – especially if a website frequently pushes you towards one specific option.

Other Factors to Consider

Other things to consider when comparing home insurance companies include:

Mobile Apps, Website Accessibility, & Overall Convenience: You may be dealing with your home insurance company frequently. You want a company with good mobile apps, an accessible website, and other features. It may sound basic, but many smaller insurers have outdated websites compared to nationwide brands.

Local Agents or Offices: Sometimes, it helps to choose a home insurance company with an office in your area – especially if you like to build a professional relationship with your insurance agent.

Available Discounts: Home insurance companies typically offer similar discounts – like bundling discounts and home safety feature discounts. However, some insurers offer unique discounts and programs – like a military discount or HOA discount – that may help you save money.

Compare Quotes Based on Similar Coverage: Some insurers dazzle you with cheap premiums, only for you to discover they’ve stripped away most of your coverage to impress you with low rates. When comparing quotes online, make sure you compare plans with similar coverages. You don’t want to compare a replacement cost policy with an actual cash value policy, for example, because the two policies cover different things. You don’t want to compare a $500,000 home insurance policy with a $425,000 insurance policy. Make sure you’re comparing similar plans.

Final Word

Buying a house may be the largest financial investment you make. Home insurance protects that investment. Once you have found your perfect fit, reach out to a public adjuster in your area and ask them to review your new policy. Most of them will offer this service for a small fee or no fee at all. They can tell you what is missing and what can be added so that you are fully covered for any loss that may happen.

By shopping around for the right home insurance company today, you can ensure you pick the one best suited for your unique needs.

Facing issues with a bad home insurer?

ClaimsMate fights back against insurance companies acting in bad faith. Contact ClaimsMate today for a free consultation with a licensed public adjuster in your area.

Article Here: How to Pick a Good Home Insurance Provider: Tips & Best Practices

5 Ways Public Adjusters Speed Up Insurance Claims

Are you curious about hiring a public adjuster for your insurance claim? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about how public adjusters speed up insurance claims.

Help Organize Documentation

Public adjusters know exactly what insurance companies need to see to process your claim. They know the paperwork, receipts, photos, and videos needed to process your claim and secure the highest possible payout.

One of a public adjuster’s main roles is to help organize documentation related to your claim.

Many public adjusters used to work for insurance companies, so they know what insurance companies need to see.

As an ordinary homeowner, you probably have no idea what insurance companies want to see with your claim. You might send documentation back and forth to your insurance company, delaying your claim by months.

Many insurers take advantage of your inexperience, demanding excessive amounts of evidence for damages that will never be covered. Every time you turn in additional information, your insurance company has another 15 days to review that information before either accepting or denying it, thereby delaying your claim and your payment again.

A public adjuster can examine your claim, determine the evidence needed to prove that claim and maximize its value, organize that documentation in a coherent way, and send it all to the insurance company.

Negotiating with the Insurer on Your Behalf

Public adjusters also speed up claims by negotiating with the insurer on your behalf.

As an ordinary homeowner, you probably don’t know how to negotiate with your insurance company. You don’t know when to push, how much to ask for, or where the insurance company has room to negotiate.

Public adjusters, however, do have this expertise. They know the areas where insurance companies have some wiggle room – and they know exactly how to maximize the value of your claim.
Ultimately, a good negotiator speeds up insurance claims by achieving an optimal resolution on your behalf as soon as possible.

Keeping Bad Faith Insurers Accountable

Public adjusters keep insurers accountable.

They work full-time on your claim, frequently contacting your insurer to ensure your claim is proceeding as quickly and smoothly as possible. They can quote statutes and codes that keep your insurance company within the given timelines for a speedy process.

Insurance companies have an obligation to respond to you within a reasonable length of time.

Despite this requirement, many insurers drag their feet, demand excessive amounts of evidence, and perform other actions in bad faith – all of which can delay your insurance claim.

Overseeing Estimates & Repairs

Public adjusters also oversee the process of repairing damage to your property. They organize estimates, oversee the repair process, and ensure everything is going according to plan.

The goal of an insurance claim is to repair your property to pre-loss condition as quickly as possible.

However, some contractors cut corners, using cheaper parts to lower costs. Or, insurers may reduce payout, offering to only pay for some damage because of exclusion within your policy.

By overseeing estimates and repairs, a public adjuster can:

1. Ensure your property damage is effectively repaired to pre-loss condition
2. Speed up the repair process without compromising the quality of repairs

Securing More Money for Your Claim for Faster Post-Claim Recovery

Public adjusters don’t just speed up your insurance claim. They also speed up your life post-claim by increasing your initial payout, making life easier in the days and weeks following a claim.

A good public adjuster could double or even triple the initial settlement offer from your insurance company. That means more money to pay your contractors and cover additional living expenses when you need it most.

After a claim, you may be dealing with additional headaches. There are often many expenses from moving, replacing daily living items and reorganizing your family or business to accommodate the loss. The extra money from your insurance claim, generated by your public adjuster, can make your life easier after a claim by finding coverage in your policy to cover these unexpected expenses.

You’ll have more money to cover the protection of your business, home or personal items, emergency expenses, additional repairs not covered by insurance, and other complications. Extra money always makes things easier – especially after a major home insurance claim.

Slowing Down the Claim to Ensure Nothing is Missed

Public adjusters don’t always want to speed up your insurance claim.

In fact, home insurance companies often want to speed up insurance claims to close your case as quickly as possible. The faster the insurer closes a claim, the cheaper the claim tends to be.

That’s why good public adjusters focus more on speeding up a complete claim. They organize all facts, analyze all damage, and present all evidence to your insurer to obtain the highest possible settlement on behalf of clients.

A fast resolution is nice. However, most clients are happy to wait a few extra days or weeks for extra compensation. Yes, public adjusters speed up claims, but they don’t speed up claims just for the sake of it. They fight to ensure you receive every penny owed to you by your insurer.

Public Adjusters Optimize the Claim from Start to Finish

Overall, a good public adjuster speeds up a claim by optimizing the claim from start to finish.
Using their insurance industry expertise, public adjusters provide the evidence insurers need to see to justify your claim. Then, they continue to contact your insurer frequently to ensure your claim is processed as quickly as possible.

A public adjuster can speed up your insurance claim and help you get paid as soon as possible – without compromising on your payout.

Contact ClaimsMate today for a free consultation with a public adjuster.

Learn More Here: 5 Ways Public Adjusters Speed Up Insurance Claims

10 Surprising Homeowners Insurance Exclusions: Damages Home Insurance Won’t Cover

All homeowners insurance policies have exclusions. A standard homeowners insurance policy, for example, does not include flood insurance. Others may exclude damage from “wind driven rain” and other perils.

Many homeowners are unaware of exclusions until it’s too late. Fortunately, we’re here to help.

Here are the top 10 most common homeowners insurance exclusions, including damages a standard home insurance policy will not cover.

Flood Damage

Standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

If you live in a flood zone, then your lender will require you to purchase supplemental flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or other “Write Your Own” policies offered by your insurance company. You pay different rates for flood insurance based on your FEMA flood zone designation.

Even if you live outside of a flood zone, you could experience catastrophic flood damage. A storm could cause sewer systems to back up and damage your property, for example, even if you live far from the water. If you are not in a flood zone, the insurance is usually very inexpensive, but well worth the money. It only takes about 1” of water through your home to cause catastrophic damage.

Consider your location and proximity to water sources to determine if flood insurance is the right choice for you. Unfortunately, a lot of flooding has been taking place in areas that are not designated as a flood zone, leaving most families and businesses without any coverage at all.

Wind Damage in Hurricane-Prone Areas

A standard homeowners insurance policy covers wind damage except if you live in a hurricane-prone area.

If you live in an area with a high risk of hurricanes, for example, then you generally need to buy extra wind insurance. Many homeowners living in the southeastern United States or along the Atlantic or Gulf Coasts need to buy separate wind insurance. This insurance is usually offered by a “State Pool” of carriers and governed by the area of the wind zone. The closer you are to the coast line, the more the insurance will cost.

Some homeowners insurance policies do include windstorm damage, but insurers charge higher deductibles. Instead of charging your ordinary deductible of $1,000 to $2,500, for example, insurers may charge a deductible of 1% to 5% of your home’s value. This decreases the chances of filing a claim unless there are severe damages.

It is important to make sure that your wind policy covers “wind driven rain” and “additional living expenses”. Without these two endorsements, in the case of a tropical storm or hurricane, you might find yourself without a place to live or coverage for interior damages unless the wind or flying debris makes a hole in your roof or breaks windows.

The Full Cost of High-Value Items, Like Jewelry, Electronics, & Collectibles

Homeowners insurance doesn’t just cover the structure of your home; it also covers all of your possessions inside your home.

However, a standard policy only provides a certain amount of protection per item. You might only receive a maximum of $1,000 of compensation per item, for example.

If a fire destroys your home and your $10,000 engagement ring, then you may only receive $1,000 in compensation from your insurer.

If you have high-value items that need protection, then consider adding an endorsement to your policy. You pay a few extra dollars per month to fully protect high-value items.

Earthquake Damage

Many homeowners assume their homeowners insurance policy covers earthquake damage, but it doesn’t.

In fact, a standard homeowners insurance policy excludes damage related to earth movement, which is why you may not be covered against earthquakes or landslides.

Fortunately, you can buy supplemental earthquake coverage.

Many homeowners who live in earthquake-prone areas purchase supplemental insurance coverage. Residents of California, for example, can buy earthquake insurance through a private insurer or through government programs like the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).

Landslide & Mudflow Damages

Homeowners insurance policies typically exclude damage caused by movement of the earth, which is why they exclude earthquake damage and damage related to landslides and mudflows.

Landslides and mudflows frequently can occur after rainstorms – especially in dry areas that rarely get rain. Although they can occur after earthquakes, that’s not always the case.

If your house is damaged or destroyed by a landslide, then your homeowners insurance may not cover you. Fortunately, you could purchase supplemental coverage through a private insurer or the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) to cover earthquake, landslide, and mudflow damage.

Maintenance, Wear and Tear, and Related Damages

As a homeowner, you have an obligation to maintain your home. Maintenance is an expected part of home ownership.

Home insurance isn’t designed to cover expected damages or costs; instead, it’s designed to cover unexpected damages and costs.

Home insurance won’t cover the cost of fixing a rotten fence board, for example, but it will cover any damage to your fence caused by a fallen tree after a storm.

If your roof is 20 years old and needs to be replaced, then you need to check the wording in your policy. Insurance companies have started using terminology in their policies that only allow for the actual cash value of the roof if it is over a certain age. This means that you would be paying for your roof, not your insurance company. This will happen due to the depreciated value of your roof and your deductible. Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover maintenance, wear and tear, or related damages.

Damage Caused by Poor Maintenance

A standard homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover maintenance, nor does it cover damage caused by poor maintenance.

If you failed to check your roof for damage after a hailstorm, for example, and your roof started leaking during a later rainstorm, then you may not be able to make an insurance claim.

As a homeowner, you have an obligation to maintain your home. If you fail to uphold that obligation, then your insurer could deny or reduce your claim. It is a good idea to check your roof after each storm and to check the vents and other intrusions to your roof to make sure that they are properly sealed.

Pest Damage

Virtually all homeowners insurance policies exclude pest damage. As a homeowner, you generally need to pay for pest remediation and removal out of pocket and cannot make a claim.

Homeowners insurance excludes pest damage because it’s part of home maintenance. If you adequately maintain your home, then you’re unlikely to experience pest damage. If you ignore a pest problem, it gets worse.

In fact, it’s rare to find any type of pest insurance offered by insurance companies. No major insurer offers pest coverage – although some pest removal companies offer a warranty after they service your property. The insurance company might offer coverage for termites if it is “hidden damage”, but it is best to reach out to a Public Adjuster for a policy interpretation to see if you have this coverage or not.

Mold Damage

Many homeowners are surprised to learn their policy does not cover mold damage.

In most situations, homeowners insurance will not cover mold damage – especially if that mold is left undiscovered over a long period of time and has no specific, identifiable cause. Some insurance companies will offer a small amount of mold coverage, but this is never enough to properly remediate the home once mold has been discovered.

Even if there is an identifiable cause – like a pipe that slowly leaked – home insurance may not cover it because it’s a maintenance issue. You have an obligation to maintain your home, and that includes identifying leaks before they cause mold damage.

There is an exception to this rule: if a covered peril (like a storm) causes mold damage, then your policy should cover it. If a severe thunderstorm damages your home and causes water to enter your home, for example, leading to mold damage, then home insurance should cover it.

Damage Caused by Dangerous or Aggressive Dogs

Homeowners insurance includes liability coverage. However, that doesn’t mean it protects all incidents on your property.

Many dog owners are surprised to discover their policy doesn’t cover damage inflicted by specific types of dogs.

In fact, you may be unable to buy homeowners insurance if you have certain aggressive or dangerous breeds of dogs.

Many insurers deny or limit coverage if you have a pit bull, rottweiler, or wolf hybrid dog, for example. However, some insurers take a dog-specific approach, only excluding these damages if the dog has a history of aggression, biting, or dangerous behavior.

If your dog is of a breed known for being "aggressive" or "dangerous", then you may face a denied claim or other exclusions. Check your policy to avoid surprises.

Final Word on Exclusions Insurance Doesn't Cover

Roughly two of three homes in the United States are underinsured. They don’t carry adequate insurance coverage or their limits are too low. This can cause multiple problems during a valid claim that can leave you without enough money to cover your loss.

In many cases, your homeowners insurance policy has adequate limits – but it excludes certain damages common to your area.

If you think your claim was wrongfully denied or underpaid, contact ClaimsMate for a claim review from a Public Adjuster.

Read More Here: 10 Surprising Homeowners Insurance Exclusions: Damages Home Insurance Won’t Cover

How to Make an Insurance Claim After a Hurricane

How do you make an insurance claim after a hurricane? What does insurance cover – and not cover – after a hurricane? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about hurricane insurance claims and how they work.

Tip Before The Storm: If a hurricane is approaching your area, it is always best to document everything in your home before you leave or the hurricane arrives. This includes a video of each room, including garages, closets and cabinets. Take photos of any electronics and appliances, to include model and serial numbers. Back this information up on a hard drive, flash drive or memory card and take it with you if you leave.

1) Contact Your Insurance Company

Upon returning to your home, secure the scene and make sure all people and pets are safe, contact your insurance company.
Your insurance company can advise you on the next steps to take. They might recommend a specific restoration contractor, start the claim, or send an insurance adjuster to your location.

Your insurer can answer any questions you have about your claim – like how much your deductible is, what is and isn’t covered, and what to document. You’ll need this information to move onto the next steps.

Note: If a hurricane has caused significant damage to your area, then your insurance company could have a backlog of calls from homeowners trying to make a claim. In many cases, insurers set up mobile claim processing points in your area to process a large number of claims from a single disaster at once.

2) Document Everything

The more documentation you have, the smoother your hurricane insurance claim will be – and the faster you’ll receive a payout.

If safe to do so, document hurricane damage around your home. Take photos and videos of all damaged parts of your home, damaged items, and other relevant items.

Some tips for documenting hurricane damage in the early days after a disaster include:

• Take photos and videos of all damaged property, including damaged parts of your home, furniture, and other items. Before moving anything, take photos and videos again of your home and the contents in its exact condition and location. Be sure to take photos of any debris, water lines or missing parts of your home. An overall view of items and then a close up of the damage are preferred by most insurance companies.
• Keep a spreadsheet or list with all damaged items; that list should name the type of damage, the estimated value of the item, and the approximate purchase date for each item. Do not throw anything away until you have an approved estimate in writing. Contents are often denied or disputed if you don’t have the proper documentation.
• Document all conversations between yourself and your adjuster (take notes on the topics discussed along with the date and time of the conversation). If possible, it is best to communicate with them through email so that you have written documentation of what you have been instructed to do.
• Keep receipts from restoration contractors, roofers, landscapers, tree care professionals, and anyone else working around your home in the days following a hurricane. Do not pay anyone in cash as you will be expected to show “verifiable proof of payment” to get your full insurance proceeds.
• Keep all receipts from food, hotel accommodations, rental cars, and other costs in the days following the hurricane, assuming you are forced to move out of your home during repairs. If you have Additional Living Expense coverage these items will be refunded to you.

Some careful homeowners already have a home inventory, or a list of items of value in your home. A good home inventory can save you time after a major claim – like a hurricane or house fire. If you’re preparing for hurricane season, or if a hurricane is approaching, consider making an inventory of items in your house, their approximate purchase date, and their estimated value.

3) Check your Homeowners Insurance Policy for Coverages, Limits, and Exclusions

A standard homeowners insurance policy covers hurricane damage as long as you are not in a “windstorm designated area”, which is typically about 30 miles inland from the coast . Hurricane damage falls under windstorm damage and coastal communities require a special policy.

However, many homeowners insurance policies also have exclusions. You might see an exclusion for wind-driven rain damage, for example, or for flood damage. Homeowners insurance policies may cover rain and windstorm damage, but most don’t cover flood damage.

Check your homeowners insurance policy and make sure you understand the following areas:

• Check for dwelling coverage. Dwelling coverage covers the cost of repairing or replacing your home. If a hurricane damaged or destroyed your home, then you can make a claim under dwelling coverage up to the limits of your policy. Check your dwelling coverage policy limit to see the maximum possible amount of compensation.
• Check for other structures coverage or coverage B. Your homeowners insurance policy could cover the cost of repairing or replacing other structures in and around your home, including separate garages or outbuildings like sheds. Many homeowners insurance policies extend 10% of dwelling coverage to other structures coverage. If you have $400,000 of dwelling coverage, for example, then you might have $40,000 of coverage for other structures.
• Check your personal property coverage limit and replacement rules. Personal property coverage covers the items in your home – like your TV and couch. It’s typically valued at 50% to 70% of dwelling coverage.
• Look for additional living expense (ALE) coverage and limits. If a hurricane has made your house unlivable, then you may need to spend days or weeks in a hotel. A standard homeowners insurance policy includes coverage for additional living expenses (ALE). These are extra costs you must pay as a result of a covered event – like a hurricane. Check your policy to verify your ALE limits. Then, track your expenses to ensure you’re maximizing your payout.
• See if you have a different hurricane deductible. Many insurance companies, particularly in hurricane-prone areas, use a different deductible for hurricanes. An ordinary homeowners insurance deductible may be $2,500 flat fee or a percentage of your policy, like 1%, but a hurricane deductible could be 2% to 10% of the value of your home. The closer you are to the coast, the higher this deductible tends to be. Generally, you can expect to pay significantly more for your hurricane deductible than you would for an ordinary home insurance deductible.

4) Work with Your Insurance Company to Move Forward

Over the coming days and weeks, your insurance company and adjuster should work with you to repair the home to pre-loss condition. Or, if your home was destroyed, you might receive a check for the value of the home and all contents inside, up to the limits of your policy.

Ideally, you and your insurance company’s adjuster have a good relationship. The adjuster responds to your requests promptly and applies your insurance coverage fairly.

Unfortunately, hurricane insurance claims can be messy. Insurance companies hate hurricanes. A single hurricane can cost an insurer billions of dollars. The insurer likely wants to reduce your payout as much as they legally can – so they may pushback against certain parts of your claim.

5) Hire a Public Adjuster to Maximize Claim Payout

Generally, insurance experts recommend hiring a public adjuster for large claims or large disputed amounts. The larger your claim, the more you have to lose to your insurer – and the more you have to gain by hiring a public adjuster.

A public adjuster works for you – not the insurance company. The public adjuster negotiates with the insurer, oversees repairs, and provides documentation to maximize your claim and increase your payout.

• Consider hiring a public adjuster in all of the following situations following an insurance claim:
• You have a large claim or extensive property damage
• The insurance company is offering you significantly less than you expected
• There is a large disputed amount on your claim, and you believe your insurer should cover this amount
• Your claim is complex and you need extra help on your side
• Your insurance company is taking advantage of you, treating you unfairly, or acting in bad faith

In all of these situations, it may be in your best interest to hire a public adjuster for your insurance claim. Schedule a free consultation with ClaimsMate today to learn more how about how an expert public adjuster can help with your hurricane damage insurance claim.

Read Full Article Here: How to Make an Insurance Claim After a Hurricane

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