Have Questions! We Have Answers!
At FSPA, Inc we
are happy to assist you in any way possible. A few of the most
Frequently Asked Questions include:
Q - My roof is leaking should I report this to
my insurance company?
A - No, this
is not a covered loss. The repairing of the roof is a maintenance
issue and is not covered by your insurance policy. The insurance
policy only covers the subsequent damage.
Q - I am not happy with my insurance
settlement?
A -You have up to five
years from the date of a claim to have your claim
modified.
Q - Should I cash my check if I don't like the
claim settlement?
A - Yes, it is ok
to cash your check; Doing so does not prevent you from asking for
additional money.
Q - If the insurance company's check has my
mortgage company on it, how do I cash the check?
A - Florida law requires that the
insurance company notify your mortgage company that you had a loss,
by putting their name on your check you will have to get your
mortgage company to endorse your check. Your mortgage papers also
has wording that requires them to be notified in case there is
damage to the property. Remember, they loaned you money and have the
right to protect their equity. You will need to speak to your
mortgage company to find out their particular process for making
sure you repaired your damage to their
satisfaction.
Q - Should I call the insurance company before
I hire a public adjuster?
A - No, a
public adjuster will help you to decide if it is a covered claim and
if it is worth reporting this claim to your insurance company.
Insurance companies keep records on your calls and will often count
a call as a claim; this may raise your rates even though you never
really wanted a claim to be reported.
Q - Can my insurance company drop me after a
claim?
A - Yes, an insurance
company can basically do as they please. They can raise your premium
or drop you after a claim. The bottom line is your insurance company
makes the rules and decides if you are a profitable customer to
them? The watch phrase here is buyer beware.
Q - Am I required to use the insurance
company's contractor?
A - No, they
will often have a preferred contractor program to offer you their
contractor to do emergency service or repairs, but they will NOT
warranty or guarantee their work. Ask their contractor for
references in the same way you would hire your own independent
contractor. Remember, these contractors get their work assignments
from the insurance company so, ask yourself, who do they really work
for?
Q - The insurance company requires three
written estimates. What do I do?
A
- There is no requirement in your policy that requires you to get
three estimates. The public adjuster will put the estimate of
damages together for you and save you the trouble of getting three
estimates. Further, the estimates have to be written on a per-line
item basis and most contractor estimates do not comply with this. If
your three contractor estimates are not detailed, the insurance
company will ignore them. Most contractors do not have the software,
knowledge, or time to write estimates for free.
Q - My contractor said he will negotiate my
claim?
A - The only people
authorized in the state of Florida to negotiate and settle an
insurance claim are:
- The policy holder
-
Public adjuster
-
Attorney
Q - The adjuster came and took pictures and
told me it is ok to throw everything away, but the adjuster left
things out of my estimate?
A - It
is up to you to document your loss. Many of these "storm adjusters"
are only here temporarily leaving you to prove your damages after
they have skipped town. If they send out another adjuster, or if a
public adjuster needs to have photographs of the damaged items, and
you cannot provide them, the insurance company will not consider any
additional payment. They are under no obligation to keep your
pictures or give you a copy. You must prove your own loss.
Q - The insurance company said the loss is not
covered? Can I still hire a public adjuster?
A - Yes, but a public adjuster will
only take on assignments if they feel it should be covered? That is
why it is better to meet with a public adjuster first to help guide
you through the claim process. Once your loss is denied you may need
to hire an attorney.
Q - I have a water leak but I don't know where
it is coming from?
A - You have an
obligation to stop any leak and mitigate any damage under your
insurance policy. The insurance can deny your claim for not stopping
the leak in a timely manner. Your claim can not go forward until you
know the cause of loss, and, the estimate of damages cannot be made
until after your repairs are completed.
Q - The insurance company is charging more then
one deductible for my claim?
A -
Each covered cause of loss is a separate deductible. If a pipe leaks
today, and then the pipe leaks tomorrow, they can charge you with
two deductibles, as it is two separate occurrences.
Q - I want to report my claim and see what they
pay me before I hire a public adjuster?
A - Most public adjusters will charge
more for a claim once submitted as it is now more work to undo
problems that existed before they entered the case | 