Whats the best way to handle Home Insurance Claim Adjusters during damage estimate of my house?

Question

Recent tornado winds and heavy rains have damaged my shingles and caused water to leak through to one bedroom ceiling!

I've heard much about how they do their best to keep from paying you for damage! I just want to know my rights. Farmers Insurance is my coverage. Thanks

Answer 1

It depends on your coverage, but I would try to get an estimate for the needed repairs before the adjuster comes. That way, if you have any questions with his estimate, you already have back-up information. If you are not satisfied with his final product, talk to your agent about where to complain to next.

Answer 2

I would get the ests as suggested by the other poster but DO NOT present these to your adjuster. Wait to see what the offer is. It may be several weeks but hang in. Repair it far enough from anything further getting damaged AND GET PICTURES.

We have Allstate and the Adjuster came in 2000 more then what the repairs cost so we had some extra work done. Had I shot my mouth off I wouldn't have gotten that.

Don't get upset until there is a reason. You might be surprised.

Answer 3

If u wanna know what ur entitled 2 then u need to go over  ur policy thoroughly....being entitled 2 ur rights and knowing them is usually the difference from being jerked around...I would also get estimates from licensed contractors, that will save u some time cause that's one of the questions the adjusters is going 2 ask u...

Answer 4

coffee and donuts wouldn't hurt any....there is more insurance company's out there.

Answer 5

First of all, tell them you did your best to cover up the leak with a tarp.

You are responsible for further damage if you didn't attempt to stop the leak or cover the hole.

You know their job is to fix it for as little as possible and still keep you somewhat happy.

First go ahead and get a couple estimates, tell the contractors when you call them that you are going to have it fixed and not do it yourself or hire a guy off the street. Many contractors shy away from small patch jobs because often times when the homeowners get his insurane check he will fix it as cheap as possible and keep the rest.

When you find the contractor you want to use, let him deal with the adjuster. I have done that as a general contractor on many jobs. Your roofing contractor knows what needs to be done, and how to write it up on his proposal to get it paid by the insurance company.

Don't ask the contractor to try and cover your deductible, believe it or not we don't like that question.

Many adjusters use a computer generated estimate sheet - but many are not updated regularly, thus fuel costs are not close.

Your roofing contractor will help you get the amount you need.

Answer 6

Having once worked as an adjuster specializing in large construction property losses, (while also handling some homeowners claims) I would humbly suggest all may not be as it seems.  

Certainly, the large insurance company vs the individual homeowner does not seem like a fair match but the individual that comes to your home and makes recommendations is not the sum total of that large company's experience.  He may have seen a lot of damage before or he may be just out of property damage estimating school.  

Primarily, he is the eyes and ears of the company.  If he is a little better he will be a capable manager that can handle the claim.  (Gathering evidence and opinions to support recommendations, I frequently hired or consulted a large group of experts including photographers, contractors, engineers, lawyers, and other investigators.)  A step above that is someone who may be particularly perceptive at sorting out misrepresentation and understanding policies and legal requirements.  His ultimate quality is the ability to marshal all of the above in particularly difficult settlement negotiations.  Property adjusters are sometimes more trained and therefore stay as adjusters longer than associates handling workman's compensation or auto claims.  

The adjuster makes recommendations and has limited settlement authorization.  If the claim is above the smallest of losses he will have to be making a report and his recommendations will have to be approved.  He does not usually get points for the number of minimum settlements.  (Those bean counters are further up the ladder.)  He will "get points" for the number of settlements based upon sound recommendations.  Settling claims at a minimal but satisfactory amount is a factor that is balanced by needing to process and dispose of the number of claims outstanding.  More recently, I have had occasion to be on the other side of a claims issue, one of my first questions to the adjuster was how many claims is he currently handling.  And so my negotiations began along with the discussion of the scope of the damage.

You make his job easier by presenting the claim in a way that is easy to understand without a lot of heartache.  He cannot compensate you for the trouble the damage has caused you only the damage itself. His job is not even to repair the damage.  He is only there to compensate for the damage and not personally take responsibility for doing any repair.  (Although repairs not done can incur future penalties and most policies will require you to mitigate damages (make initial repairs to prevent further damage.)  After initial visits, reminding him of the claim without being annoying will help to move the claim toward settlement.  

You want to avoid disputes.  I usually feel that it is better to state your position clearly instead of hoping the adjuster will not take a position against you and then you have to try and change his mind.   If you hold something back and then have to bring it up later it will just look suspicious.  Avoid it. To that end, I would suggest you get the necessary estimates.  More than one.  If asked, present them.  If not, at least, make  sure all the elements of the damage are viewed by the adjuster and you are only awaiting a price tag on each.  If you have a claim that includes peripheral damage (foundations, underlying structure...) or unusual damage (historical landmark) you may need an expert's report (contractor's or engineer's ect...) to support the claim.  If you have a contractor and the adjuster will negotiate with him about the damage let the experts haggle.    

The company does have one thing on its side.  Misrepresentation of a claim is a crime.  The companies can sometimes be a little slow, but they are not entirely stupid and not particularly forgiving.  Present your claim.  Don't go overboard in your demands and if you make out well take your money and very quietly walk away.