Tag: property loss

How AJR Simplifies Insurance Claims After Storms

Unprecedented Storms Stress the Claims Process and How AJR Helps

In recent months, Phoenix and the greater Arizona region have seen storms unlike anything in recent memory. One event dropped over 3 inches of rain in the metro area by October 12, the heaviest for that period in years (azwater.gov).

With so much heavy rain, strong winds, and rapid-onset damage, home and business owners across Arizona are facing a surge of claims. The volume and complexity are putting pressure on everyone: homeowners, insurers, and public adjusters like us at AJR Public Insurance Adjusters.

Why These Storms Are Especially Difficult

• The heavy rainfall and wind create multiple types of damage at once. Flash flooding, roof damage, wind-blown debris, and dust storms all hit together.
• Insurers are overwhelmed with claims, which causes delays in response, inspections, and payouts.
• Many homeowners don’t have records of their property’s condition before the storm. That slows the claim process.
• Adjusters sent by insurers may not be familiar with the unique damage caused by Arizona storms, so claims may be undervalued.
• The longer a claim drags out, the more frustrated people become.

What AJR Does to Help


• Fast claim evaluations: We review your claim quickly to evaluate damage while it’s fresh. We then determine the best course of action to move forward with representation from AJR
• Detailed documentation: We help you pull together all your paperwork, policy, receipts, depreciation info, and more to build a strong claim.
• Localized knowledge: We know how Arizona storms work. We can explain to insurers how dust, rain, hail, and wind combined to cause the damage.
• We fight for you: Insurers often push back, calling it “wear and tear” or “maintenance.” We push back harder. You don’t pay us up front; our fee is due only when the claim is settled and when checks are issued.
• Clear communication: We explain everything in plain language, so you know what’s happening at each step.
• We stick around: Once you’re an AJR client, we stay available for anything related to the claim we helped with. Whether new issues arise or questions come up months later, we’re here to help you through it.

What You Should Do Now

If a recent storm damaged your property, here’s what to do:
1. Take lots of photos and videos.
2. Gather your insurance policy and any receipts for repairs or valuables.
3. Call a public adjuster early. The sooner we’re involved, the better your outcome will be.

Why Your Trust Matters

Storms like these test the whole system. When claims stall or payouts fall short, people lose trust in insurers and the process. At AJR, we take that seriously. Our job is to be there when things are hard, to represent you clearly, and to work the claim correctly. We are here to protect you and your claim, and we do it with care, experience, and urgency.

Our Reputation Is Built on Trust

At AJR, our reputation matters. We’ve built it through consistent, reliable, and responsive service during some of the most stressful moments our clients face. That’s why we’ve earned and maintained an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Our website features testimonials from real clients who trusted us with their claims and were glad they did. When you work with us, you’re not just getting help with a claim—you’re choosing a team known for standing by its clients and delivering results.

Why you should have a Public Adjuster on YOUR side with your next insurance claim

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 first-rate settlements with policyholders, most of whom lack the fundamental information and adjusting skills to be on a level playing field with the adjuster.

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. Disasters including fire, haboob, wind, water, theft, etc.  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 AJR can be there to protect your interest if indeed the unthinkable happens to you.

AJR PUBLIC ADJUSTERS –BRUCE/STACY HOROWITZ—602-795-5227

WWW.BETTERCLAIMRESULTS.COM

 

 

 

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

Q

“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.

Privacy Policy Contact Us Copyright © 2015, Summit Professional Networks

AJR Highlights: REASONS TO CALL US FIRST WITH YOUR NEXT PROPERTY INSURANCE CLAIM

Highlights about AJR for you to reference should the need arise with your next insurance claim

FIRE, WIND WATER, THEFT, HAIL ETC

(602-795-5227)

www.betterclaimresults.com

  • When an insurance claim (fire, water, wind, theft, hail etc. ) occurs its best to call AJR first.
  • We will help you report your claim.
  • We will immediately come out to assess initial damage.
  • We will bring experts or utilize your experts to estimate property damage.
  • We will take inventory of all contents damaged.
  • We will price cost for replacement of contents items.
  • We will negotiate on your behalf to maximize settlement with your insurance company.
  • Ensuring you have taken advantage of and exhausted all clauses in your insurance policy.

With AJR you get:

  1. State licensed Public Insurance Adjuster with over 28 years experience
  2. An adjuster whose experience includes handling claims into the millions
  3. An adjuster who has handled previously but not limited to residential, business, apartment buildings, Condos, HOA’s claims
  4. Personal Attentive Service from Business Owners not employees.
  5. Ongoing Communication and updates regarding your claim as new information becomes available
  6. A company that does everything in our power to help settle your claim as quickly as possible

Any questions at any time please contact us at

602-730-8555 (OFFICE)

480-519-9099 (BRUCE CELL)              bruce@ajrpa.com

480-519-9199 (STACY CELL)               stacy@ajrpa.com

www.betterclaimresults.com

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