Insurance Dispute And Claims
Setlement Dispute Can Cost You
Thousand's If You're Not Prepared!

 

Don't Get Caught With Your Pants Down!

More and more policyholders have been finding themselves involved with an insurance dispute over their claim damage. A settlement dispute from an insurance claim can be devestating. Most people believe that their insurance company will be there to help them. In many cases that is 100% acurate. However, with larger, more complex, and more costly claims it can feel like you have your pants down around your ankles.

A large fire, water from a boken pipe, tornado, or tree on the house can cause severe, high dollar damages to a building and its contents. Policyholders immidiatley think, "Thank the lord we're covered." Well, not so fast.

Sure, you have a policy, and you're covered for the damages, but, how much will the insurance company pay compared to what the damages will cost to repair. Most policyholder's often say, "I've been with this insurance company for 45-years and never once submitted a claim." It should be simple, right? You've paid your bills all this time, you submit a bid from a reputable contractor, now the insurance company should pay it! Hmmmm, more and more on larger, more costly claims, that begin to dig deep into the insurance companies bottom line, it doesn't seem to be that easy.

We'd like to believe that our insurance company will be there to take care of us in our time of need. However, many are not, especially with larger claims. Larger claims can become a battle over what should be replaced and what the insurance company believes can be saved and repaired. In my career as a claims professonal I have found that many insurance companies truly wish to take care of their policyholders and provide them with the maximum amount of money their policy will allow. I've also found that there are just as many insurance companies that go out of their way to find ways not to pay policyholders all that they deserve on their claims.

The Insurance Appraisal Process can be complicated unless you choose a competent, experienced appraiser that understands all aspects of the insurance appraisal clause, as well as all aspects of Insurance Appraisal Services.

First, a brief overview of the insurance appraisal clause. Appraisal is a clause within most insurance policies that allows a process to settle insurance claim disputes. The claim disputes may be about damage to buildings or property. Let's say that a policyholder suffers a flood, fire, or tornado to their structure. The insurance company sends an adjuster who determines the damages to be $200,000. However, the policyholder has a contractor that has provided an estimate for $325,000. A dispute between the two parties has begun in both the cost of repairs and the scope of damages. An agreement on the costs cannot be reached. Either the insurance company or the policyholder now has the right to demand appraisal via written request. To resolve such disputes, each party must choose an insurance appraiser. Insurance Appraisal Services is what we do.

Has Your Insurance Company Invoked The Insurance Appraisal Clause On Your Claim?

Not to worry. The first thing you will be required to do is respond to the insurance companies letter. Your reply should be sent registered mail. This way there is a signature backing up the fact that you have responded properly. The reply letter will include the name of an appraiser who will act on your behalf. The insurance companies letter should already have the name of the appraiser they have chosen.

View a sample of an appraisal reply letter here. Again, be sure to send your reply letter by registered mail. Coninue below with information o how to hire us as your insurance appraiser.
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Insurance Appraisal Services Is What We Do!

Insurance Claims Group, Inc. exceeds in their knowledge of the appraisal process, are experts in insurance appraisal services, and is available to represent the facts of the loss on your behalf. To execute the job of Insurance Appraisal Services properly, not only should one be educated in the appraisal process, but one should also be qualified to review the differences between the two parties. Our extensive experience with construction, building repairs, building materials, and insurance appraisal services qualifies us as a choice above all. We have extensive knowledge of Xactimate and MSB IntegriClaim. We are capable of reading and understanding the unit costs these estimating software's provide and work with the Appraisal Panel to determine a realistic amount of loss for the claim.

Joe B. AppraiserInsurance Appraisal Services We Provide!

Step one of our insurance appraisal services is to obtain as much documentation that is available on the claim being disputed. We will collect a copy of the insurance companies estimate, the policyholder's estimate, as well as any other documentation that is available. We will vigorously review and inspect each estimate line-by-line for discrepancies.

The next step of insurance appraisal services will be to inspect the property that has been damaged. A thorough inspection will be conducted, room by room, and piece by piece (or any remaining parts). We will conduct this inspection with the two different estimates that are being disputed. With these estimates in hand during our inspection we can determine if one estimate has missed items to be addressed and/or if the other is excessive.

Our insurance appraisal services inspection will include 50 to 300 photos (depending on the size of the loss and extent of damage). These photos will prove and support our findings. The photos will be taken in a manner that supports our position of whether items can be saved or will require replacement. The photos will also show cause and affect damages. Yes, the bricks on the exterior of a home or building may not appear damaged. However, if the sheathing/plywood behind the brick is smoked and damp - the bricks will require removal to access other repairs.

Some rooms or even an entire building may be damaged beyond recognition. In these cases our insurance appraisal services will include an interview process with the owners of the property to confirm room layouts, types of wall and floor finishes, electrical items, cabinetry, and more. This type of questions and answer session will paint a clear picture of the TRUE value of the damages. The proper value of the claim depends on it's accuracy.

All the data collected from our insurance appraisal services will then be programmed into the Xactimate estimating software. Xactimate configures and displays the data in the exact format that the insurance companies require. Line by line, piece by piece, the exact square feet of drywall, paint, wallpaper, and carpet will be calculated for a real and accurate cost to pay the claim. In fact, Xactimate is used by more than 70% of insurance companies.

Any items that are in question will be reviewed by our group of engineers, building inspectors, or contractors as additional documentation to support the true repairs. Foundations, brick, support beans, electrical may require removal and may not meet current building codes. These professionals can advise on ways to keep these types of materials or why they will require replacement.

After all this has been completed we will meet with the other parties appraiser and discuss each others findings. In some cases an agreement cannot be reached between the two appraisers. In the event this happens, the two appraisers will submit their differences to the Appraisal Umpire. (For more information about the appraisal umpire and what their job is in the process, visit here.)

Hire ICG, Inc. For Insurance Appraisal Services!

Please call (919-669-9111) or Email Us to discuss your insurance appraisal services needs. If we agree to be your insurance appraiser you must formally advise the other party (insurance company or policyholder) that we will be acting in your behalf. To appoint us as your appraiser we'd like to make this process as easy as possible; below are copies of two letters depending on your current situation. Choose the letter that is correct foryour current situation.

Please Note: The letters are for homeowners, contractors, PA's or attorneys; as insurance companies already know how to invoke the clause already.

  • Option ONE: If your insurance company has sent you a letter invoking apprasial and you need to reply to the letter naming your own appraiser - then you need to download and open our Insurance Appraisal Clause Reply Letter. This document will advise the insurance company that you accept their intent to invoke the appraisal clause and has been pre-written to name Joe Brennan of Insurance Claims Group, Inc. as your insurance appraiser. Open the document and fill in your personal information. Once the form is complete it should be sent to the insurance company via certified mail!

  • Option TWO: If you disagree with your insurance companies analysis of your claim and you wish to invoke the appraisal clause - then you need a letter advising the insurance company of your intent to invoke the insurance appraisal clause. Downlaod our Insurance Appraisal Services Letter to notify your insurance company of your intent to invoke appraisal. This document will advise the insurance company that you wish to execute the appraisal clause in your policy. The letter has been pre-written to name Joe Brennan as your insurance appraisal services appraiser. Open the document and fill in your personal information. Once the form is complete it should be sent to the insurance company via certified mail!

  • If you need assistance with either letter; another option is to request that we fill in all the appropriate information for you. We will create the letter and email you a copy that you can print and send to the insurance company via certified mail! Please call (919) 669-9111 or email us to request assistance.

Contact Us For Interview!

Is Joe Brennan the right fit for your insurance appraisal services needs? How do you know unless you ask? Please feel free to contact me by email to set up a date and time to to discuss your Insurance Appraisal needs. Or, call me directly at (919) 669-9111. I will be happy to assist you in any way I can.

Insurance Claim & Appraisal Services!

The Insurance Claims Group, Inc. can answer insurance claim related questions and provide advice and assistance for insurance claim damages that are a result of fire, smoke, wind, water, flood damage, hail, theft, hurricane, and even denied claims. The following is a list of professional services we provide:

  • Appraisal Umpire: In the event that a policyholder or the insurance company invoke the appraisal clause the two independent appraisers must choose an umpire. Most policies require that the two appraisers must select and agree upon an Appraisal Umpire within 15 days of the two appraisers being named. The chosen Appraisal Umpire must be an impartial, unbiased, and disinterested party in the outcome of the appraisal award. Our extensive experience with building repairs and the insurance appraisal process qualifies us as a choice above all to act as an Insurance Appraisal Umpire to resolve insurance claim disputes. [More..]

  • Independent Appraiser for Insurance Appraisal Clause: The Appraisal Clause can be invoked by either the insurance company or policyholder. The Appraisal Process is to resolve disputes only. To resolve such disputes, each party must choose an independent appraiser. An independent appraiser is an individual that is hired to resolve insurance claim disputes. Insurance Claims Group, Inc. exceeds in their knowledge of the appraisal process and is available to represent the facts of the loss on your behalf. [More...]

  • Insurance Claim Estimate: We provide inspection and complete insurance claim damage estimates for policyholders of homes and businesses, insurance attorneys, repair contractors, and insurance companies. [More...]

  • Insurance Appraisal & Estimating Assistance: In some cases contractors, attorneys, or appraisers may need assistance in preparing a defense for their claim. They may have questions or need advise on some parts of the estimate or damage. We provide consulting and evaluation assistance for any part of a claim you may require answers for. If we can't answer your questions we can refer you to someone who can. [More...]

  • Claims Consultation: Many times policyholders and contractors are unsure if damages are covered, if there are coverage limits, or find themselves overwhelmed with the complexity of the insurance claim process. In some cases the insurance companies may use industry terms or insurance lingo that can be confusing. We provide information on the insurance claims process, policy interpretation, estimates and estimating, as well as the insurance appraisal process, and umpire services. Educate yourself and understand how to obtain the correct settlement for your home and business insurance claims. [More...]

  • Insurance Replacement Cost Valuation: Is your home properly insured? Do you have enough coverage to replace your home or building after a loss. Finding out that you are under insured after a large fire, flood, or hurricane can be devastating. We will provide an inspection of your home or building, take photographs, and provide a fully detailed replacement cost estimate. You can then make an educated decision on how much coverage you need for your property. Not too little, and not too much. [More...]

We provide Insurance Appraisal Services in North Carolina (NC), South Carolina (SC), Georgia (GA), Florida (FL), Alabama (AL), Mississippi (MS), Louisiana (LA), Texas (TX), Virginia (VA), Maryland (MD), Delaware (DE), Washington DC, Pennsylvania (PA), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), Connecticut (CT), Rhode Island (RI), Massachusetts (MA), Ohio (OH), West Virginia (WV), Kentucky (KY), Tennessee (TN), Indiana (IN), Illinois (IL), Michigan (MI), Wisconsin (WI), Minnesota (MN), Iowa (IA), Nebraska (NE), Colorado (CO), Kansas (KS), Missouri (MO), and Oklahoma (OK). So, please feel free to gather information from our services and articles, or jump right in with any questions you may have by submitting on our insurance questions and answers page. We are here to help in any way we can.

 

 

Insurance Claims Group, Inc. 2054 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite # 426, Cary, NC 27518
PH: (919) 669-9111 FX: (919) 573-9595 -
info@insuranceclaimsgroup.com

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Joe Brennan