fire – AJR Public Adjusters

Another month listed as BEST Phoenix Public Adjuster on YELP

AJR takes our clients and responsibilities very seriously. We know when your property has suffered an insurance claim, you want to know that you will be made whole. (put back to how your property looked prior to the loss). Whether it be from fire, wind, hail, monsoon, AJR’s job is to handle your claim in the most professional manner while alleviating stress on your shoulders. We know you have things to take care of, let us use our 30+ years experience to settle the claim in a timely manner.

It is nice to be recognized again by YELP as the #1 Public Adjuster in Phoenix. To see more information about AJR and how our rankings are #1, look at our BBB A+ Reviews.

With your next insurance property loss give us a call FIRST. Consultation is FREE.

AJR Public Adjusters — 602-795-5227 — www.betterclaimresults.com

Fire in Vacation Home, BBB A+ Review

Appreciating our valued clients who choose to share their experiences about working with AJR, here is another A+, Better Business Bureau Review.

Thank you to our valued clients — Margi & Wayne Cook for your very kind words.

HERE

AJR Public Adjusters — 602-795-5227

“Sistering” and the Repair of a Home via Summit Business Systems

“Sistering” and the Repair of a Home

We are a public adjusting firm. Our client’s home is insured on an independently filed HO 00 03 05 01.

A recent fire did much damage to the home. Part of that damage was the charring of the framing. Instead of replacing the charred framing members, the insurer wants to use a technique called “sistering.” This technique involves leaving the charred piece in place and installing a new piece next to it. The adjuster says that sistering is an acceptable means of repair and refuses to actually replace the damaged framing.

We have enclosed a copy of the policy for your perusal.

California Subscriber A

The policy you sent is worded differently from the ISO policy. The ISO homeowners policy promises to replace damaged building property with “material of like kind and quality and for like use.” It makes no mention of how this is to be done. It does not place any limitations on construction methods to be used. The ISO policy would pay to replace the charred timbers with new ones.

On the other hand, your client’s policy says that it will repair or replace the damaged property “with construction techniques and materials commonly used by the building trades in standard new construction.”

“Sistering,” as we understand it, means that the damaged frame is propped up by the timber fastened next to it. The adjuster may be correct in that this technique is an accepted means of structure repair—repair of an existing structure. However, the policy calls for the use of “common construction techniques and materials used by the building trades in standard new construction.” By definition, sistering could not be a technique used in new construction.

The wording of the policy has committed the insurer to replacing the frame members with new pieces.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional service. If legal advice is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

How can a Public Adjuster Help ME with my next property insurance claim, and when should I CALL?

It’s best for people to engage with us when the property loss occurs. Claims occurring from fire, wind, water, theft, hail etc. We help them report the claim and take care of all the necessary duties according to the contract from there.

A few ways to think about it is, if you are called to the IRS for an audit you would take an accountant with you to represent your interests. Why deal with a professional insurance adjuster without your own professional licensed adjuster to represent you and your interests.

The reason its best to engage us at the very beginning of the process is as in other situations, “anything you say can and will be used against you”. To prevent any problems like this from occurring, its best to engage us at the beginning. I think this answers your question about “should I wait until a problem occurs”.

Additionally part of our job is to maximize the recovery from the insurance company. To leave no stone unturned and peruse policy to make sure policyholders are claiming all coverages that they have paid for that apply to each particular claim.

Our 28 + successful years of experience handling claims into the millions of dollars ensure thorough and complete handling of each claim.

We are paid a small percentage of the settlement, no higher than 10%. AND as the claims get higher the percentage can go down and is negotiable. (a $1,000,000 claim, we would not be taking 10%). The insured pays our fee not the insurance company (though it comes out of the proceeds). The knowledge we have of policies and the gain the insured receives helps cover this cost and provides additional monies.

People/Companies don’t generally know what’s in their policy or understand them, therefore don’t realize what they are entitled to. This is where our knowledge and experience assist. Additionally, when property claims occur, it is an extremely stressful situation. Adding to this stress is dealing with the insurance company and their adjusters, since they want to pay out as little as possible for claims. Why handle this stress on your own, and try to navigate policies and professional adjusters. We have been there done that and know how to do it the quickest best way to maximize the return.

www.betterclaimresults.com

AJR Public Adjusters 602-795-5227

Secrets of Public Insurance Adjusters: What they know about insurance companies that you don’t

Excellent article from Insure.com confirming the reasons Public Adjusters are in your corner and maximize recovery from insurance companies.

http://www.insure.com/home-insurance/secrets-of-insurance-adjusters.html

Some Public Adjusting Terminology

Public Adjusting Terminology

If you’ve suffered damage to your home, business, investment property, HOA, or Condo Association, a public insurance adjuster can help you get the most out of your policy as you work to recover. However, be an informed consumer and be certain to familiarize yourself with key terminology before beginning the process.

Actual Cash Value – Actual cash value refers to the monetary value of an item that has been lost or damaged. It takes into consideration depreciation and wear.

Replacement Cost – The actual cost to replace a damaged item. This does not take into account depreciation or damage. Your independent licensed public adjuster can help calculate these figures.

Flood Insurance – Flood insurance must be purchased separately from traditional homeowners insurance, and only covers limited property damage.

Period of Interruption – Whether it’s from an earthquake or fire, the period of interruption refers to the amount of time it takes to get your home or business back in previously working order.

Exclusion – An exclusion refers to items or causes that are not covered by insurance. There are often exclusions for flood and fire, since they are covered by separate insurance.

Public adjusters are state licensed insurance adjusters that assist policy holders with claims regarding property.

These experts can be found in most parts of the United States. Most people need a public adjuster to aid them when a disaster happens, such as a fire an earthquake or flood, that has caused damage to their home or business.

The adjuster can assist the policy holder by helping them get the right sum of money that is due to them.

This money comes from the insurance company with which the individual or family has a policy.

There is a certain process involved when people try to settle with an insurance company after a home fire or other property loss. Steps need to be taken in a certain order and information needs to be conveyed in a clear and concise way with the insurance carrier.

When the public adjuster or professional firm works to prepare your case, it is important to give all the details regarding personal loss, the coverage you have in place, and the cost of repairing or replacing lost possessions.

Policy holders do have certain civil rights and protection from insurance associations. There are files put in place to keep records of your insurance policy.

This way the licensed public adjuster can make certain each policy holder gets the insurance money they deserve for their claimed damages. Public Adjusters are contracted to maximize the recovery from insurance companies for all property losses.

By speaking with a public adjuster in your area, you can get further information on insurance plans and policies for home coverage. It is always smart to take care of this ahead of time so that you do not have to worry when something occurs.

AJR is available to speak with you for any questions– http://www.betterclaimresults.com 855-454-0247

A Property Loss has occurred NOW WHAT?

Your property has suffered an insurance loss due to fire, a water pipe burst, hail damage or something else. NOW WHAT?

Don’t let one disaster out of your control lead to others.

Should an event occur that requires filing an insurance claim, the responsibility of preparing the claims fall completely on the insured not the insurance company. If you don’t seek professional help, critical information may be missed that can negatively impact the final settlement you will receive. AJR is serious about examining your policy for the “fine print” to make sure you take advantage of all your coverages.

For over a quarter of a century AJR has been in this field representing a variety of companies and individuals with their insurance claims. Our clients’ claims have been settled to their satisfaction as you can see by the testimonials we have received. http://ajrpa.com

Our modest contingency fee is calculated on the settlement you receive , never higher than 10%. We are paid after we have assisted and helped you maximize your recovery from the insurance company.

The next time you find yourself in a situation to file a property claim, don’t think twice. Immediately contact AJR to help assist navigating the insurance process to maximize your recovery. When the dust settles you’ll be glad you called us.

602-795-5227

http://www.betterclaimresults.com

Why You Need A Public Adjuster

Most people who have a claim have no idea how to prepare and adjust it. They more or less rely on their “insurance adjuster” to do that for them. BIG MISTAKE! What you must understand is, it is the “insurance adjusters” job to make company inspired settlements with policyholders, most of whom lack the fundamental information and adjusting skills to be on a level playing field with the adjuster. A NAPIA (National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters) Adjuster can help you level the field.

Knowledge is leverage. The more you know, the more power you have, and insurance adjusters are well trained to cut corners and save their company money and, more and more, look for ways to avoid paying claims. You need someone as well trained in your corner looking out for your interests. The objective in adjusting should be to get as good a result as possible, as quickly as possible, as trouble free as possible. Most policyholders will continue their fate of dealing ineffectively due to the fact that they lack ability, information, and understanding.

To adjust is to negotiate. An adjuster is a negotiator. Usually, only the person representing the insurance company is considered the adjuster, and the policyholder receives his/her adjustment, as previously stated, from a company inspired adjuster. In order to arrive at an adjusted settlement, each side has its own needs to satisfy. The less you know, the more likely you are to be forced to meet the needs of the insurance company. You must know your needs! You must know your rights!

A Public Adjuster can help you with both of these. If you don’t know what to expect and how to get it, you may become overwhelmed and give in too easily.

No one knows the outcome of an adjustment beforehand. Therefore, it is impossible to anticipate to what extent either party will give in to the needs of the other. Bargaining power becomes the main ingredient in adjusting. It usually comes about naturally as facts come to the surface. Adjusting is a matter of give and take, and unless you are dealing from a position of strength and knowledge like a Public Adjuster can offer, you may be forced to give too much.

Insurance adjusters facing a knowledgeable public adjuster usually enter on a more cooperative basis, and there is a strong likelihood that each will strive for common goals.

Usually a policyholder has to deal with a claim at a time following a disaster. Psychologically, most people are not up to the task under these circumstances. It is very common to see people in a state of shock, confusion and helplessness. A professional public adjuster will be emotionally level and competent.

The time of a personal disaster is not the time to be thinking about all of this for the first time. Think about it now and take comfort in the knowledge that a Public Adjuster can be there to protect your interest if indeed the unthinkable happens to you.

AJR Public Adjusters 1-855-454-0247

http://www.betterclaimresults.com

If your home or business are damaged will you be able to rebuild?

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

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 knowledge and experience to help you obtain the most favorable settlement possible – someone who represents you and not your insurance company.

“We serve as the advocate for the policyholder, but it’s important to remember the policyholder controls the settlement. We advise and assist,” says Bruce Horowitz, president of AJR Public Adjusters, who has over 1/4 century experience in this field

In addition to estimating how much damage has been done, AJR also helps file the paperwork to complete the claim and negotiates with the insurance company. AJR charges its clients a percentage of the settlement, typically around 10 percent.

To find out more about how AJR Public Adjusters can help you recover from a natural disaster or other property loss by helping you obtain and maximize your settlement from your insurance company, call (602) 795-5227, email Bruce@ajrpa.com or visit http://www.betterclaimresults.com