The idea of experiencing a fire in your home is terrifying!
Life is good. We’ve taken all fire preventions steps. Candles aren’t left burning. Faulty electrical cords are replaced. We check the curling iron to make sure it is turned off before heading to work. You’ve made sure that smoke detectors have fresh batteries. You think that a fire will never take place in your home. Then, the worst day of your life happens, fire has destroyed your home or business. You’ll feel as if your world is falling apart. You’ve lose everything.
After a Fire call 911 immediately.
You should know that when you do call 911, dispatch radios the call to the fire department. These messages will be heard by more than just first responders. After a fire, there will be an absurd amount of shameless door knockers show up on your front porch.
The “professionals” knocking on your door or calling you, will range companies such as:
- General Contractors
- Roofers
- Board-up Companies
- Smoke Removal Companies
- Restoration Companies
- Public Adjusters
Don’t fall victim to fly-by-night claim vultures.
You may receive a knock from public adjusters. Don’t hire individuals or companies that knock at your door. They are only there to make a quick buck from your loss. It is important to remember that you are going through a hard time in your life. You do not need to be signing any papers, contracts or forms from individuals that randomly show up. Remember, they found out about you by using a police scanner. They will attempt to pressure you into signing an assignment of benefits form, also known as an AOB. Don’t.
You should notify your insurance company immediately.
Your policy contains important language located within the duties section. This language states that you must prompt notice to the carrier or your agent. After a fire, time is of the essence to be sure that your insurance company has the information they need to properly handle your claim. The insurance adjuster from the carrier may want you to file a “proof of loss” listing the items you’ve lost and the value. This is when the claims process get’s very tricky. You’ll need a public adjuster.
Take Detailed Notes
You’ll need notebook and folder. You must be and remain organized. This is something that you will regret if you don’t. Write down the names and contact information for everyone that you speak with. Do this from the time the fire happens until the claim is settled. The good news is, this is where a Public Adjuster can remove the worry, making it go away! You’ve already got enough on your mind. You don’t want to worry about your insurance claim. Keep business cards that you receive with these notes. Don’t forget to write down all of your expenses along the way. Keep receipts in your fire folder.
Protect Your Property
Gather your valuable and important documents, if you can. The reason for this is obvious. You might not be thinking that your home or business may be broken into after. Remove jewelry, financial records, passports. Anything that is personal. Fire victims don’t think of the possibly of identity theft. After a fire, there is nothing worse than your credit being ruined. It is a good idea to sign up for credit monitoring, just in case. Do not forget to inventory and photograph these items before they are removed. The insurance adjuster will want to confirm that the items were there during the fire. Secure your openings such as, windows, doors, holes in the roof. We can point you in the right direction to secure board-up services.
What A Public Adjuster Can Do For You & Why You Hire One
There is no question, it’s a huge challenge to make sure that you’ve addressed everything you need to after a fire. On top of the task of keeping the insurance company in line with regards to the fire damage claims process, you have to keep your timelines moving towards inspections, cleaning, repairs and/or rebuilding.
Adding the emotional toll to the mix can create tremendous stress – it can feel and be overwhelming. When you hire a Public Adjuster, it will significantly ease your stress level caused by the emotion trauma of experiencing a fire. It is not a good idea to deal with this stress at the same time attempting to prove your loss to your insurance company.
A licensed public insurance adjuster is the only individual licensed and vetted by the state to represent you. Other than an attorney. For example, a handy man, roofer, general contractor, electrician, are not licensed to handle claims. It is against the law and most states consider this a felony.
Ocean Point only employs licensed public adjusters that are experienced and knowledgeable, ensuring that your settlement is maximized. Our focus is always on you, our client. Our main responsibility is to represent you and present your claim to the insurance company.
A public adjuster is an insurance claims professional who advocates for homeowners and business owners with inspecting, documenting, appraising and negotiating insurance claims. An insurance company’s claims adjusters or independent adjusters can only legally represent the rights of their employer, not the policyholder’s interests.
Some areas where a Public Adjuster can assist you:
- Teach you about your policy
- Detailed damage documentation
- Inventory of damaged personal property
- Appraisal and Estimation of structural damages
- Prepare everything you need to secure a fire settlement
If your claim due to fire damage is denied, underpaid or the insurance company isn’t acting fast enough, your public adjuster can help correct those issues. The adjusters at Ocean Point will assign a personal adjuster to review and inspect your damages. Your personal adjuster will guide you through the entire process. Stress free.
Contact Ocean Point Today
We are ready to talk about your property damage! We will help you. Our adjusters make sure that you feel like you are our only client! Call us at 888-824-1306 or visit our website.
