Does Your Small Business Have a Disaster Recovery Plan?

As a professional in the industry, Miller Public Adjusters has seen the impact of natural disasters to businesses and consumers alike. While it’s been quite some time since we’ve seen a catastrophic event in our area, we all need to be aware of the consequences damaging spring storms in our area can have. From Property Casualty 360: Nationwide commissioned Harris Poll to conduct their second annual survey in June 2015 among 500 U.S. small-business owners who have fewer than 300 employees and at least a moderate role in employee benefit selection.

When your home is seriously damaged, it's difficult to navigate the claim process alone. Insurance claims adjusters don't tell you everything you need to know. They push you to settle quickly. When they should be making certain you have the funds to properly restore your home, an insurance adjuster often focuses on keeping the claim payout low. These small complications can become big disputes. Hiring a public adjuster is a prudent way keep the claim disputes process flowing smoothly before it spins out of control.

As with most self-sufficient adults, you might not consider hiring a public adjuster to manage your property damage claim. You might not even know what a public adjuster does. But when you are trying to recover from a catastrophic loss, it’s a good time to find out. PAs handle complex claim and coverage details. They work hard to maximize your settlement. Most importantly, a PA works for you to make your life easier.

Hiring a public adjuster to handle your property damage claim makes a difficult time much less stressful and has a direct impact on how much you ultimately collect from your insurer. The claims adjusters who work for your insurer are highly-trained professionals who determine how much your covered loss is worth. Keep in mind, though, that they make their determination from the insurance company’s perspective. A public adjuster represents your interests and has one objective: to obtain the best settlement possible for you.

The old wisdom, "Good things come to those who wait" doesn’t necessarily apply when you’re ready to settle your property damage claim. When your repairs are near completion and contractors are waiting for their money, it’s just not a good idea to wait for the insurance company adjuster to call. You've lived through a catastrophe. You've been patient while your home was being restored. You've worked through a complicated claim process. You deserve to know where you stand for an offer on your claim.

Licensed and bonded public adjusters are regulated by their state’s rules and policies, and work only for the public, such as homeowners like you. They have no ties to any insurance company and as an expert in the insurance field, are employed directly by you. Their sole interest is in getting you the maximum settlement possible on your loss claim. If mistakes have been made on your insurance claim, or your insurance company refuses to settle your claim for what you feel you are entitled to, hiring an expert such as a public adjuster can be your best option.

When your home is damaged by fire, windstorm, or some other insured peril, you must work through your Homeowners insurance company’s claims process to get the money you need for repairs. Whether your damage is minor or extensive, both you and your insurance company must navigate through a maze of policy procedures, guidelines, and rules; but there is one major difference. Insurance companies have highly trained property adjusters to handle claims and protect their interests. They realize that it's crucial to have an expert to represent them, yet no insurance company spokesperson is likely to suggest that you hire an expert of your own. No one will explain that hiring a public adjuster will get you a better settlement.

Insurance claims are complicated. Understanding the process may be even more frustrating. Following are answers to frequently asked questions regarding the role of a public adjuster after filing an insurance claim in Illinois.

In the Chicago metropolitan area, roof damage is a common occurrence when temperatures when the winter weather sets in with snow, ice, and cold. A Midwest winter presents exceptional challenges that that can prove costly, so it pays to have a local Chicago Public Adjuster on your side when Mother Nature makes the decision to throw a one-two combo. Property damage claims on average are escalated through the winter.

Is your insurance company really looking out for your best interest? What are your options after suffering a loss and filing an insurance claim? Do you understand your insurance policy? Check out this video where FOX 11 Investigates insurance companies in Wisconsin and why paying good money to insure your property doesn’t mean they will have you back. FOX 11 also highlights why hiring a Public Adjuster may give you the representation you need to ensure you are getting the most out of your insurance claim.