How to Get Homeowners Insurance to Pay for Property Damage Claim Without a Public Adjuster or Lawyer

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Күн бұрын

In this video I am going to teach you how to represent your own property insurance claim without a public adjuster.
I’m going to cover the insurance claims process from a high level, in 5 steps, based on my experience working as an office manager for a public adjusting firm.
This video is for people with a property insurance claim who have already taken the time to learn a little bit about what a public adjuster can do for them.
In short, a public adjuster is an advocate for the insured. They represent their claim to the insurance company.
They independently validate coverage, estimate the loss, negotiate the value with the insurance company and collect the settlement.
In exchange for their services, a public adjuster typically charges between 10 to 20% of the settlement. For a $100,000 settlement, that fee could be $10,000 or more.
Because the fee is so significant, more and more people who file insurance claims are taking the time to learn what’s possible with their insurance settlement.
Can they do the work themselves to maximize their own settlement?
The short answer is yes.
Based on the content in this video you will be ready to decide whether you can represent yourself or whether you will choose to move down the path of selecting a public adjuster to help you.
If you’d like more information about these steps, check out the article in the description which goes into more detail on notwaitingtolive.com:
notwaitingtoli...
Feel free to reach out to me with questions in the comment section below, or email me at manny@notwaitingtolive.com.

Пікірлер: 45

@mtc343 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for your easy to understand information. It makes navigating insurance claims much easier in an environment that is already difficult. My patio door was damaged and I currently have two estimates from 2 different contractors. I will have 4 estimates by the end of the week. Even after showing my insurance the two estimates I currently have, they still insist on the lowball offer they first offered. Sad to say, facts don’t always cut it if they just refuse and insist they are right. I would hate to have to hire an adjuster, but they might be what I have to do if talking to the insurance supervisor doesn’t work.

@kaye4971 2 жыл бұрын

I cashed a check that the insurance sent, it is not enough for all repairs but I would like to get started while I appeal. I plan on sending them all the estimates I receive. Did I mess up by cashing the check.

@brockolee7113 Жыл бұрын

This is a good question and I’m curious about this as well. Hope we can get an answer.

@billyjones9045 3 жыл бұрын

My house was a total loss....I had paid the house off so they gave me a check after they durvived a rebuild cost. They said I will get another one third and my personal property I'm doing a list of now. They have me in a hotel now but said I had like 50k in loss of use and are trying to get me s rental apt now. After talking to various people I decided that I am going to change the zoning and put a commercial building on the lot due to the street having of businesses and the street being too busy and dangerious..I found s condo for less money also...CAN THE LOSS OF USE MONEY GO TO ME TOWARDS THE CONDO TO MOVE THERE NOW INSTEAD OF TO THE APARTMENT THEY WERE RENTING WITH THE LOSS OF USE PORTION?

@johnanderson3700 4 ай бұрын

If you’ve had your health damaged by insurance delays where do you go for help?

@jl1090 4 ай бұрын

so if the is true: Sec. 542.057. PAYMENT OF CLAIM. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, if an insurer notifies a claimant under Section 542.056 that the insurer will pay a claim or part of a claim, the insurer shall pay the claim not later than the fifth business day after the date notice is made., can an insurance company change their mind because you upset them because they are taking so long?

@hotrodsandponies9649 2 жыл бұрын

What do you do when your claim is in the middle of an insurance company preparing to sell?

@ayeshat1380 2 жыл бұрын

my basement got flooded recently because of leak.. apart from carpet and walls damage and furniture I had a lot of personal stuff there.. laptop, alot lot of clothing, winter bedding.. kids toys. I am covered for personal insurance... how should I proceed for this. there are more than 100 items . TIA

@MiNa2928 Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Very informative!

@dontworrybehappy975 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, just today we noticed the wall and medicine cabinet in the downstairs bathroom was wet. Discovered that there is a leak behind the Wall in the upstairs bathroom somewhere above the tub I can’t see exactly where the water is coming from. We are part of an condo association and the bylaws indicate we own everything from the paint on the walls out and they are responsible for everything else including drywall so technically this leak inside the wall is on them. So my question is that being part of a condo association with bylaws that state the owners are responsible for everything inside the paint and the association is responsible for everything outside the paint for my understanding the association would be responsible to fix this damage but how do we incorporate our insurance company into this? Should we call the insurance company first to file a claim and then have the association come out and make the repairs? What would you recommend our strategy would be in the situation? One thing that I want to mention too is that we noticed that there was some soft wood inside where the leak was located which gives me the impression that the leak was a lot longer than we thought it was so I didn't know if that was going to look like long-term damage or not and if so what would our best strategy be for that.

@JoePvpii 3 жыл бұрын

I just had a water damage in my kitchen, and I don't know where to start. The plumber we brought in to fix the leak is insisting to file a claim, and "help us out", saying he'll give us free labor and parts. I'm just wondering if there is any way he, a third person plumber, take a part of our settlement or a high payout with out My knowledge. Please Help 🆘

@notwaitingtolive 3 жыл бұрын

Contractors like to take insurance claims because they can charge top dollar for their work. For your situation there likely won’t be a settlement as that’s only the case when you choose to not make any repairs. When people choose to not make the repairs they can collect the “actual cash value” of the damaged property which is usually a smaller percentage of the actual cost to replace the damage. That’s why people usually just have the work repaired because they’re not actually getting extra money. The only risk you run here is the contractor not knowing how to maximize your claim by replacing everything that qualifies. Sometimes an inexperienced contractor might only get you one new cabinet that was damaged instead of getting all the cabinets replaced to match. And then also the counters and floors as well.

@alexscheel3881 2 жыл бұрын

We have had a total loss in a house fire and we’re under construction in our kitchen, and insurance is saying they won’t pay for any of the kitchen because it was gutted when the fire happened, and we are out 18,000 for the paid kitchen contract that is now void. Can an insurance company not pay for the kitchen even though our estimate was based on the house having a kitchen? Does anyone know the answers to help us out?

@frankricca6173 3 жыл бұрын

What about personal items where the value is impaired? Specifically guitars, musical instruments stored in a closet where there was a flood of 5 inches of water. Some of the hardware rusted, the lining on the cases have started to free from the case, and where there may not be a way to determine if the long term effects of necks warping, etc.

@notwaitingtolive 3 жыл бұрын

Contents have a separate coverage limit, usually 40-70% of your homes insured value. You basically need to create an itemized list of everything that was damaged and a replacement cost for each item. Include photos of the items and damage, model numbers, serial numbers, and a proof of purchase for each item (receipt, or credit card statement if no receipt is available). Payouts for items without proof of purchase is possible but more challenging.

@billyjones9045 3 жыл бұрын

Mine paid for everything in the house

@reinaresnik 3 жыл бұрын

Do you have a sample demand for a tenant. I am an Attorney but never did this before. My clients had water damage and had kitchen destroyed. They had to leave fast as the unit needed to be rebuilt. State Farm tells me they don't have to pay moving expenses. Thoughts?

@laratczkovina6504 3 жыл бұрын

If you never did this kind of work before you should have never taken the case. And then you expect someone to just hand you a work sample??? You are the type of attorney that makes the rest of us have to deal with lawyer jokes.

@MuhammadSoroya 3 жыл бұрын

How do we argue against depreciation? I get upset when they sneak depreciation into a settlement, a Wind knocked down all our fencing, and they are saying its worth x dollars (which is low as it is), then they apply 75% depreciation to it because they say its 10 years old... logically I am paying a premium to them for a large coverage plan, if my house is 20 years old, is the depreciation and cost of the house greater than 75%? it makes no sense... What the point of policy limits and how can i be sure i am not being swindled?

@notwaitingtolive 3 жыл бұрын

Is the depreciated amount recoverable upon completion of the repairs? In other words are you trying to get as much money as possible without replacing the fence? If not your next best chance to get more money is to get an independent valuation of that fence. You can argue that it’s worth more by getting a replacement quote from a third party that’s higher than their quote. The good news on that end is building materials cost a lot more now than when that fence went in originally. You could also confirm where their depreciation assumption is coming from. Depreciation of a fence is normal and fair considering the nature of a fence is to wear. But depreciating the value over 15 years instead of 12 could get you some more money in your pocket. However it’s likely stated in your policy how fences are assumed to depreciate over time.

@brucelee-hl8zn 3 жыл бұрын

Hello. I had a total loss after my house burnt. The first day after, the insurance adjuster called his estimator and said he would cost round 400k to rebuild after a 1st look. But after a few weeks, the adjuster said he would be more like 350k. I don't know if he's trying to lowball me. I would expect the first estimation to go up because the construction material cost has exploded during covid. Do you think i should hire my own public adjuster? Or maybe just get several contrator bids to get others estimations? thank you.

@notwaitingtolive 3 жыл бұрын

At a minimum I'd get a couple estimates from licensed general contractors to better represent your claim. Construction prices are sky high right now and expect them to be booking for many months in advance. Your own independent adjuster might help you navigate this situation. It's definitely worth calling one to get a second opinion.

@prabakaranr8942 2 жыл бұрын

Hi We have using commercial but insured home insurence,have any option claim for the fire damage

@Musik4lyf80 3 жыл бұрын

Our public adjuster has been working with us for 2 or more months and it seems to be getting nowhere. He says we will have to get a lawyer involved. Is this normal? Should we have a general contractor to write out a detailed list of damage and cost?

@notwaitingtolive 3 жыл бұрын

Depending on your situation it can take months to a year or more to have a claim fully reconciled. If they’re talking about getting a lawyer involved this might be a debate about coverage not likely the estimated amount. Has the insurance company acknowledged that this is a covered claim?

@johnanderson3700 4 ай бұрын

It is unfortunate that insurance companies can’t be forced to pay the company representing you their fee as usually you need their help because insurance company has likely acted in bad faith else you wouldn’t need a company to help you.

@animotionaurora 4 ай бұрын

Nice🎉

@MegaKegHead 3 жыл бұрын

Can I act as my own general contractor and revieve the GP O&P?

@notwaitingtolive 3 жыл бұрын

Yes you can. You'll want to produce professional invoices for all work performed and it'll help if your GC business has a different phone number than your policy...

@JesusRocks846 2 жыл бұрын

Hello and thank you for your video. 2 months ago we had crazy heavy rains that pushed through a cinder block wall in our home. It pushed cement off of the wall and I was told by my insurance office I could file a claim so i did. Alot of back and forth with the insurance company and they finally told me since it was rain water i am not covered. However i do have a crack or 2 now in the cinder block wall so should i ask them if i am covered for structural damage since i have a crack in my cinder block wall? Thank you

@notwaitingtolive 2 жыл бұрын

The cause of the damage is what’s important. Is there any other cause of the damage that you can think of related to this event?

@JesusRocks846 2 жыл бұрын

@@notwaitingtolive i feel like rain water and the house settling are reasons why i have the cracks

@notwaitingtolive 2 жыл бұрын

@@JesusRocks846 it sounds like they’re saying rain (flood) is not a covered peril. And the house settling wouldn’t be either. It’s tough to get flooding covered without flood insurance. I’ve even seen a situation before where a guys house was flooded by a fridge ice maker that spring a leak and would be covered except it went on for a month while he was on vacation and it wasn’t covered because of the contract is worded. You’ll have to look closely at the contract to see if there’s anything close to what happened to you listed as a covered peril in the contract.

@williesummage5928 2 жыл бұрын

i need a public ajuster

@janjoy9759 3 жыл бұрын

Question. Due to the recent storm in Texas, my tankless water heater broke causing water leakage and damage to structure and carpets at my home. When I purchased my home and got the home owners insurance I was living in the home, but since then I moved out and now rent my home. I will need to place a claim for all the damages to carpets baseboards and walls. Will that be a problem since my tenant is living there and not me?

@notwaitingtolive 3 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure, and I'd hate to mislead you. But I'd definitely ask an independent public adjuster for their opinion on your claim before filing a claim.

@dr_920 3 жыл бұрын

I got a roof demage due to the hail two month ago here in Austin. The insurance company sent out an adjuster, who told me the roof will be totaled. However, it has been almost a month, I haven't received any phone calls and documents from the insurance company. I called many times and were told to wait. My roof can still hold on for 2-3 years and there is nothing to worry about my personal safety. I have talked to lawyers, but it seems I can't do anthing at this moment and wait for the check or denial so the lawyers can get involved. I wonder if the insurance company keeps ignoring me, what should I do?