Who to call for Property Damage this Monsoon Season.

Will you be able to rebuild if your home or business is damaged or destroyed by a fire? How long will it take you to bounce back if you are wiped out by a flood or hammered by a monsoon? Will you recover quickly from the losses you suffer from vandalism or theft?

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You might be unpleasantly surprised more than once if tragedy strikes where you live or work – first by the brutal force of Mother Nature and later by the realization that you are unprepared to do anything but accept whatever compensation your insurance company offers. You can avoid this problem by hiring a public insurance adjuster, a person with the knowledge and experience to help you obtain the most favorable settlement possible – someone who represents you and not your insurance company.

“We serve as an advocate for the policyholder, but it’s important to remember that the policyholder controls the settlement. We advise and assist.” said Bruce Horowitz, president of AJR Public Adjusters, who has been serving homeowners and businesses for over 30 years, the last 4 being here in Arizona.

In addition to estimating how much damage has been done, AJR also helps file the paperwork to complete the claim and negotiate with the insurance company. There is no up front retainer type cost like an attorney, for their services, AJR charges its clients a percentage of the settlement.

Horowitz can offer his clients the advantages of a wealth of training and more than 30 years as a public insurance adjuster. He and his wife Stacy, who serves as vice president of AJR, moved their family to Phoenix following Bruce’s lengthy career, first with one of the largest and oldest public insurance adjusting firms in the Philadelphia area, then in Charleston, South Carolina.

Stacy, who handles the marketing and accounting for AJR, has another important job that is critical for the property owner – determining exactly what was lost or damaged.

“We take hundreds or sometimes even thousands of pictures,” she explained. “We document everything, then we send it to the client for approval.”

Bruce Horowitz cautioned homeowners and businesspeople to hire only public insurance adjusters who are licensed in the states where they do business.  Also to be wary of people claiming to be in a position to negotiate with the insurance company.  Only a licensed Public Insurance Adjuster has this authority, not your contractor, mitigation specialist, handyman, etc.

AJR is unique as they are one of a few companies who are a member of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) with an office in Arizona. NAPIA is a 60 year old organization that sets the standards for the industry and offers its members educational opportunities and certification in various aspects of the business.

To find out more about how AJR Public Adjusters, Inc. can help you recover from a natural disaster or other property loss by helping you obtain an equitable settlement from your insurance company, call (602) 795-5227, email info@betterclaimresults.com, or visit www.betterclaimresults.com

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Phoenix Hail Storm Court Settlement

Great news for Policyholders…
Insurance companies being held accountable and paying on the policies they issue for damages here in Phoenix from the freak hail storms 6 years ago.
Shouldn’t have to come to a lawsuit.  Public Adjusters can handle and settle claims without ever going to suit.   But great to have an Affiliate NAPIA member Merlin Law Group to handle in this way should the need arise.
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$3.2 Million Verdict in 2010 Freak Phoenix Hail Storm Lawsuit
Phoenix, AZ – Almost six years after a freak hail storm pounded cars, homes, and almost everything else in Phoenix, Arizona, The Travelers Indemnity Company will finally have to make good on at least one of the insurance policies it profited from prior to the October 5, 2010 storm.

In a verdict reached late yesterday, Lynwood and Villa del Sol apartment complexes, owned by Harvey Property Management Company, were awarded the full, court-ordered appraised value of the hail damage, totaling $3,229,766.18. Travelers had insisted in part that the hail damage was part of normal wear and tear of the building.

“These buildings got beat up in 2010, but unfortunately, that was only the start of the fight,” said winning lead plaintiff’s attorney Phillip Sanov of the Merlin Law Group. “We took this to trial not just for these two buildings, but to send a message to every other victim of this and other storm denials – when your insured property is damaged, you never have to take no as an answer.”

The freak hail storm caused more than $2.7 billion in property damage (cite).

“This was a freak hail storm, but for many Arizonans, the real shock was financial,” said Chip Merlin, founder of the Merlin Law Group and counsel for the Plaintiffs. “This victory will right a couple of wrongs, but it’s a good reminder for individuals and businesses to review their policies, and also not be afraid to reach out for help before or after a storm. The good guys can beat the insurance giants.”

 

Help, I locked my keys in my car !!

Have you ever stepped out of your car, hit the lock button, shut the door and realized the keys are inside? 

Many times this has happened and drivers are not aware of the fact that their car insurance may pay for the locksmith to come out to open the door for you.

Information via Summit Business Systems

Towing & Labor Costs

April 25, 2016

Our insured locked his keys in his car and had to have a locksmith open his door. Would the cost of the locksmith be covered under the towing and labor cost portion under the personal auto policy?

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Under the terms of the endorsement, the towing and labor costs are covered for attending to the disablement of the covered auto, and the labor costs are paid if the labor is performed at the place of disablement. If the car is disabled and it is fixed at that spot, the coverage is there. In this instance, the car was disabled and was fixed at that spot so the coverage exists.

Though AJR only handles property insurance claims, we wanted to share this information with you, as we know many of us have found ourselves in this situation.

With your next property insurance claim from fire,wind,water,theft,hail,monsoon, etc.  call AJR first.  We will help you report your claim and ensure you will receive all monies owed to you, while maximizing settlement $$.

AJR Public Adjusters 602-795-5227

Better Claim Results — AJR Public Adjusters

ANOTHER 5 STAR REVIEW via Facebook

5 Star Review via Facebook

Another satisfied AJR client publishing their experience regarding top notch service they received from AJR.  Next time you find yourself with an insurance claim, contact Arizona’s best Public Adjuster immediately.  We will help you report your claim and ensure you are taking advantage of all coverages you have paid for, while maximizing your return.

AJR Public Adjusters — 602-795-5227

Why you should always sleep with your door CLOSED

When we were little it was kind of scary to shut that door and have our parents on the other side.  Knowing they wanted us to sleep but at times so hard to relax and let the dreams come.  These days kids like the door shut so they can play on their phones and iPads etc, without mom and dad watching over you.

Well recently we at AJR have been exposed to an article from the Huber Heights Fire Department in Ohio who states that it increases your chances significantly of escaping a fire without injuries if your door is closed.  huber heights fire

Tonight keep this in mind as you lay your head down to sleep.

STAY SAFE !!

 

AJR Public Adjusters – 602-795-5227

www.betterclaimresults.com

 

Another 5 STAR Review via YELP for AJR PUBLIC ADJUSTERS

Read what our clients are saying on YELP.

The next time you find yourself with an insurance claim, Call AJR first.  We will help you report your claim.  Our involvement ensures you will receive all that you are entitled to in your policy while we maximize your claim $.

Why settle for anything but THE BEST?

Call Arizona’s Best Public Insurance Adjuster with your next claim.  602-795-5227

Another 5 STAR review for AJR

5 STAR review via Facebook

ANOTHER ONE FOR THE BOOKS

Once again AJR has assisted and helped a policyholder with an insurance claim to maximize their recovery.  There is no greater compliment than having clients wanting to let others know about their great experience.  We thank you.  Happy Holidays.

Is Wind Driven Rain Covered Under My Homeowners Policy?

As Monsoon season has passed here in Arizona, we at times still are experiencing rains of significant proportions.  Clients have recently asked us about damage that has occurred over the years due to Monsoon Seasons.

A HO policy 00 03 05 11 with and endorsement of HO 32 32 06 12, states that  constant repeated discharge, seepage, or leakage of water excluded.  This coverage pertains to repeated wind-driven rain that causes hidden damage, mainly rot, and water damage to insulation that cannot be seen.

There is an exception for mold that is hidden behind walls that applies to water caused by heating, plumbing, air conditioning system, sprinkler system, or household appliance, or storm drain or water steam/sewer pipes off premises.  The endorsement excludes water caused by repeated seepage or leakage.  Wind driven rain is not repeated leakage or seepage, it is forced by the wind.   Wind-driven rain is excluded under the water exclusion.  Therefore this is not a covered loss.

via Summit Business Systems.

ATTENTION ARIZONA !!! Why do I need AJR?

ATTENTION ARIZONA —    

Did you know you don’t have to take your insurance company adjuster’s word as gospel for your property loss claim?

AJR Public Adjusters gets you the maximum settlement on any business or home property loss claim.

If you have a claim contact AJR today at www.betterclaimresults.com

Thats better claim results.com

AJR Public Adjusters — 602-795-5227  

Is Honey from bees in the walls covered?

This may seem like a strange question. It was to us as we have never heard of this problem before.

A client called us with a dilemma.  About four weeks ago they had a service come and remove a beehive.  The removal company mentioned they should be on the lookout for honey, perhaps that was why the hive was formed.

Our client then noticed about four weeks later, there are stains in his walls and is worried there is honey stored in between his kitchen and garage.  He is wondering is this a covered loss under his homeowners policy as it is doing damage to his property?

We took this information to our sources to see if the client is covered and discovered that NO a loss due to this problem is not covered.

Specifically, Insurance Services Office (ISO) Homeowners Policy (HO) excludes birds, rodents or insects and nesting or infestation, or discharge or release of waste products or secretions by animals.

While the ensuing losses not otherwise excluded are covered, since bees live in the hives the leakage of honey is not ensuing, it is a direct loss.  THERE IS NO COVERAGE.