Claims handling - Paid Fairly For Property Damage

How to Handle Storm Damage Insurance Claims Effectively

Storms can wreak havoc on homes and businesses, leaving property owners with extensive damage and a complex insurance claims process. Navigating this process alone can be overwhelming, especially when insurers undervalue or deny claims. That’s where a trusted advocate, like Paid Fairly for Property Damage Inc., can make all the difference.

Understanding Storm Damage Claims

Storm damage often results from high winds, hail, or heavy rain, leading to significant structural and cosmetic issues. Filing an insurance claim can be daunting, especially when dealing with complicated policy language or pushback from insurers. With expert assistance, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smoother claims process.

Steps to Take After Storm Damage

1. Ensure Safety First

Before entering your property, prioritize safety. Avoid areas with structural damage, fallen trees, or exposed electrical wiring. Consult professionals if necessary to secure the property.

2. Document the Damage

Thorough documentation is essential for a successful insurance claim. Use high-quality photos and videos to capture:

Roofing, gutters, and vents
Windows, siding, and doors
Water-damaged interiors
Personal belongings and other affected areas

This documentation lays the groundwork for your claim. At Paid Fairly for Property Damage Inc., we guide clients in creating comprehensive and compelling evidence to support their case.

3. File a Claim Promptly

Notify your insurance company quickly to avoid delays. Provide all necessary documentation and keep records of your communications. If you’re unsure about any part of the process, we can help you handle the paperwork and streamline the filing process.

4. Avoid Quick Repairs

While it’s important to make temporary fixes to prevent further damage, avoid permanent repairs until the insurer inspects the property. Keep receipts for materials like tarps or plywood, as these expenses may be reimbursed.

5. Work With an Experienced Public Adjuster

Handling an insurance claim requires knowledge and persistence. An experienced public adjuster:

Accurately assesses storm damage
Prepares detailed claims and estimates
Negotiates directly with the insurer to secure fair compensation

We specialize in representing policyholders and maximizing their settlements, ensuring no detail is overlooked.

Common Challenges in Storm Damage Claims

Disputes Over Scope of Damage

Insurers may downplay the extent of damage to minimize payouts. Having professional representation ensures every aspect of the damage is accounted for.

Undervalued or Denied Claims

Many policyholders receive settlements that don’t cover repair costs or are denied outright. We’re skilled at challenging these outcomes to ensure our clients receive what they’re entitled to.

Coverage for Secondary Issues

Storms often lead to secondary problems, such as mold or hidden water damage. Insurers frequently contest these claims, but our expertise helps ensure proper coverage for all related repairs.

Why Choose Paid Fairly for Property Damage Inc.?

When disaster strikes, you need an advocate on your side. At Paid Fairly for Property Damage Inc., we understand the complexities of insurance claims and the tactics insurers use to minimize payouts. Our team works diligently to protect your interests, from initial documentation to final settlement negotiations.

With years of experience and a commitment to client advocacy, we help you navigate the process with confidence. Whether your claim involves storm damage, fire, water, or other property issues, we’re here to ensure you get a fair outcome.

Dealing with storm damage can be stressful, but you don’t have to go through it alone. By following the steps outlined above and working with a public adjuster, you can handle the process more effectively and secure the compensation you deserve.

For professional assistance with storm damage claims, contact Paid Fairly for Property Damage Inc. today!

Public Adjuster’s Gambit

The Public Adjuster’s Gambit

The rain was relentless, pounding against the glass windows of the tall office building that towered over the city. In a dimly lit corner office, a man named Richard Lewis sat, his eyes glued to the computer screen. Richard was a public adjuster, a man whose job was to investigate insurance claims and negotiate settlements. He was the bridge between the common man and the insurance giants, a tough job that required a keen eye and a sharper mind.

Richard was a man of principle. He believed in fairness and justice, and he poured these values into his work. He was known for his tenacity, his ability to fight for his clients, and his knack for getting the best possible settlements. But today, Richard faced a challenge unlike any he had ever encountered before.

A claim had come across his desk from a small business owner named Maria, whose bakery had been destroyed in a fire. The insurance company had offered a meager settlement, nowhere near enough to rebuild her life. Richard was determined to help Maria, but the insurance company was proving to be a formidable adversary.

Maria was a kind, hardworking woman who had poured her heart and soul into her bakery. She was supported by her husband, Jose, a strong, silent man who had stood by her side throughout the ordeal. Their young daughter, Isabel, was the heart of their family, her innocence and optimism a beacon of hope in their darkest hour.

Richard knew he had to fight for them. He spent countless hours poring over the claim, searching for any discrepancies that could strengthen their case. His assistant, a bright young woman named Lily, was his right hand, helping him gather evidence and build a solid case.

The conflict reached its peak when the insurance company refused to budge, even in the face of the evidence Richard had gathered. They were determined to pay out as little as possible, and Richard was equally determined to fight for what was fair.

In a tense meeting with the insurance company’s representatives, Richard presented his case. He spoke passionately, detailing the evidence and arguing for a fair settlement. The room was filled with tension, the air thick with anticipation as everyone waited for the insurance company’s response.

In the end, Richard’s dedication and tenacity paid off. The insurance company agreed to a fair settlement, enough to allow Maria and her family to rebuild their bakery and their lives. It was a hard-fought victory, but one that reinforced Richard’s belief in fairness and justice.

As he left the meeting room, a sense of satisfaction washed over him. He had faced a formidable adversary and emerged victorious. He had fought for justice and won. And in the process, he had helped a deserving family reclaim their lives.

The rain had stopped, and as Richard looked out the office window, a rainbow arched across the city skyline. It was a fitting end to a day filled with conflict and resolution, a symbol of hope after a storm. For Richard, the public adjuster, it was a reminder of why he did what he did, a testament to the power of fairness and justice.

Improve your complaints handling performance

This article is one of a series about how to improve your
complaints handling. It will be especially useful to call handlers and
customer service personnel. It is written by an expert trainer in the
field who runs a specialist complaints handling training business as well as a
leading corporate training company in the UK.

If you do some reading on complaints handling
you must be thinking of improving your complaints handling skills or those of
your team. Most writers on the subject
focus on the need to approach the customer who is complaining with
empathy.

What is empathy?

Empathy
is a word often used but I wonder how well understood it is. At a recent course we were running on
complaints handling we posed this question.
Asking delegates to define empathy proved interesting. It was clear to me that the word sympathy and
empathy were being confused.

So
before I can establish empathy with you, I need to know what empathy is. The dictionary definitions vary but touch
upon: understanding of another’s situation and feelings. This is different to sympathy which is more about
feelings of pity or sorrow for the distress of another. Definitions also mention compassion.

So
when dealing with complaints I am aiming to be empathetic to understand and
anticipate the behaviour of the customer. It is in effect standing in the shows
of the customer. So much for the
conceptual discussion. How does that work in practice?

How does empathy work?

Take
a complaint about some flowers not being delivered by a florist. The customer plucks up courage to complain. He is stressed by the simple process of
calling. He does not know how the call will be received and naturally expects
the worst. He has complained before to other shops and been fobbed off. The customer swallows hard
and calls the shop to say the bouquet has not arrived.

The
untrained inexperienced call handler might say: Thank you for telling me about
this. What can I do to put this right?

The
call handler is trying to be helpful and resolve the situation. However, the result from the customer is to
raise their voice, their heart beats faster, they are getting angry. This call is off to a bad start. The problem cannot be made right. The flowers were not delivered and a anniversary celebration diminished by it.

Picture
this as an alternative this response:

Im
sorry that we havent delivered the bouquet as we expected. I understand that must be difficult for you, embarrassing
and annoying, let me try and do something about that right now. To do that may I have your name and the
delivery address please?

This
is more likely to strike a chord with the customer. Did you spot the:

·
empathy?

·
identification with the distress of the
customer?

·
apology too?

What about the control of the call? I mean that in the sense that the call
handler was leading the conversation towards resolution. This was helped by asking a closed question
to gain control. All this was done in a
helpful, assertive but friendly way. Clearly there is more to do, but this positive approach will send the message to the customer that the call handler wants to try and resolve the complaint and understands their emotions.

So
you can see a dose of empathy is good news for complaints handling, but there
is more to it. Ill be tackling another
aspect of complaints handling soon.

At
Reduce Complaints training people to handle complaints well is our business so
we are not short of material to help the complaint handler.

Happy
complaints handling

Alison Miles-Jenkins