Posts Tagged ‘property damage’

Property Damage Claim Payments Are Not In Your Favor

Friday, September 10th, 2010

The insurance industry revealed record business earnings since 2004. Per the Insurance Information Institute (III), property insurers profit margins increased $24 billion dollars from 2005 to 2006. Throughout 2005, the industry generated gains of $49 billion; during 2006, this amount elevated to $73 billion Such stats are causing the majority to wonder, “Why are insurance company gains so high?”

What experts are implying

Based on insurance market analysts, insurance carriers have boosted their earnings using three techniques:

Increased Rates: Insurance companies have increased their insurance premiums across the board. The report stated that profits inside the property-casualty lines have increased by an annual average of 46% from 1994.

Settling less claim damages: Insurance groups have equally lowered the number of settled covered claims. Yet again, across the board. The III announced that property insurers compensated 64% of the actual fees they obtained in claim damages throughout 1994. From 2006 – 2007, that range decreased to 55%.

Leaving Town: Subsequently, after a major loss, insurance companies often get out of harms way. As an example, a good number of insurance organizations would no longer provide insurance for individuals within the southern states devastated by Hurricane Katrina due to the extensive claims they incurred. Quickly eliminating a book of business in these environments, while of course their right, typically renders individuals battling to obtain other carriers.

This process sounds awfully uncomplicated. Take in far more dollars, pay a lesser number of claims and bail from burden areas. Unfortunately, individuals are usually the ones to pay the total price – yet as soon as things go badly, many people typically feel helpless to fight back. Simply because the insurance industry has not been federally managed, each individual state’s insurance department is dependable for managing insurance industry procedures in that state. Generally, those state run offices fundamentally don’t produce the personnel in order to correct every matter that they acquire.

It is for those grounds that the policyholder learn to safeguard his or her self by reading through their insurance policy and also discovering precisely what there options are. Hopefully, no property owner should have to face an insurance dispute against their insurance carrier. Then again, for those that do, the Insurance Appraisal Clause located in property policies shall be there to defend you. Acquire much more about the Insurance Appraisal Clause and how you can inexpensively protect your residence and assets from insurance industry profit margins.

(C) ICG, Inc. – Independent appraisers verify information about your loss after a catastrophic event that caused damage to your property. If you are not satisfied with the insurance appraisal, it’s a way to get a different opinion.

Property Maintenance Tips To Follow

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

Property managers have a primary responsibility which involves the maintenance of the property they oversee. It is important to understand what your firm expects as far as when maintenance should happen and on what kind of regular basis.

Too often, managers get fired or get pay cuts due to not properly recording when they had maintenance done. Because of this, it is very important to look at the tips we will lay out to help you avoid potential problems with your property firm.

One of the first things you should do it talk to your firm about how often they would like things to be serviced. Most firms will have a log book with a designated time of year that something should be serviced, but if not make one.

With this list, you can create a check list or log so that you can mark the dates when things were maintenances and keep a record. This record will come up often as it will be there to save your butt in case anything catastrophic breaks. When something bad happens, the firm will ask you when you had it serviced. If you have a log book with dates and signatures, the firm will take full responsibility for the damaged item and pay what they need to in order to fix it without giving you a whimper.

On the flip side, if you don’t keep good records, you will have a hard time explaining yourself to the firm. Often this leads to firing depending on the amount of damage, or it can lead to probation and pay cuts that are never fun. Because of the he said she said issues that can happen, do yourself a favor and have a great log book.

We hope that these tips have been helpful as you go out and do your best as a property manager. In a world of uncertainty, you can take control of the property maintenance by keeping better records and doing a better job of keeping the firm accountable for the issues that end up happening with properties.

Mike writes about property management salary and about property manager salary

Appraisal Umpire May Be Your Best Chance To Resolve An Insurance Claim Dispute

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

When it comes to settling insurance claim disputes, for many claims the Appraisal Umpire may be a policyholders only chance for a fair settlement. In fact, insurance claim disputes take place every day. What really causes these disputes? One of the most obvious reasons is that most policyholders believe that they deserve a larger settlement than what they have received. Secondly, many insurance carriers try to pay as little as possible on their claims. And third, claims are often wrongly denied. All of this, as well as many other reasons can result in disputes.

There are several ways one can deal with an insurance loss. For one, an aggressive approach, which we do not encourage. Overwhelming aggression can cause further delays. In most cases disputes and disagreements can be settled easier with a peaceful, civilized manner. After all, people are allowed to disagree. It shouldn’t cause a fight. There really are several options that are more peaceful and productive. The approach used will depend on the level of the insurance claim dispute a policyholder is involved with.

Some claims reach an impasse and there is no way the two parties can resolve the dispute themselves. In such a situation, it’s recommended to first obtain the name and number of the adjuster’s manager. This can be obtained by simply calling the company directly or asking your adjuster for this information. Call and speak with the manager and/or the company’s complaint department. Notify them of your problem and situation. In some cases they may be able to assist you right away. If they agree with your argument they will usually advise your adjuster to do what you’re asking for. Policyholders can also request a “reinspection” of the property damages. A reinspection will be conducted by a different adjuster or supervisor. It’s recommended to request that a “General Adjuster” be the other person to reinspect the claim damage. General Adjusters usually have 15+ years experience in insurance claim damages. Their knowledge may assist you in receiving a fair settlement. It is also recommended to obtain the name and extension of anyone you speak with from the complaint department as well.

Disputes that involve repairs to a home or building are usually disputes about the amount to repairs what has been damaged. Many policyholders can hire an insurance consultant or independent appraiser to provide an estimate and damage report of the claim. If the insurance company will still not reach a satisfying settlement for you, you should consider filing a complaint with the Department Of Insurance in the state where your property was damaged.

Unfortunately, you may find yourself in a position where you still cannot ascertain a fair settlement for your claim, even after all this. It can be very frustrating, however, you still have options. Options that are located directly in your policy that protect you. For more information and to have all your questions answered, call (919) 669-9111. The consumer information hotline can answer all your questions for claims and disputes related to flood, water, fire, smoke, tornado, wind, hail, even hurricanes and theft. The trained personnel are available to assist you with all the available options you are entitled to under the policy.

Nevertheless, if you still feel that after you have applied all the above-mentioned options and you still believe you have not been provided a fair insurance settlement, you can always turn to a clause buried in your policy called APPRAISAL. The Insurance Appraisal Clause allows each party of a dispute to settle the differences out of court. It’s similar to an arbitration. (For a complete explanation of the Insurance Appraisal Clause by visiting What Is The Insurance Appraisal Clause).

The process calls for an unbiased, impartial, and competent Insurance Appraisal Umpire to work with two appraisers to settle the differences. Having such an individual can go a long way for a policyholder that is requesting a fair shake. The Appraisal Umpire has no interest. In turn, they base their decision on the facts.

(C) Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Get Appraisal Umpire Help, by visiting http://www.insuranceclaimsgroup.com or http://www.insurance-appraisal-services.com