How to Negotiate with Property Damage Insurance Claims Adjusters

May 12
14:53

2022

Oliver Moreno

Oliver Moreno

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Learn How to Negotiate with Property Damage Insurance Claims Adjusters. Homeowners’ insurance requirements vary by state, but if you have a mortgage, chances are you will be required to carry coverage. You need to start by understanding what is covered and what is not. This is the guide and tips that you have been waiting for.

mediaimage

If you’ve ever had to file a property damage insurance claim,How to Negotiate with Property Damage Insurance Claims Adjusters Articles you know that the process can be long and frustrating. You have to deal with the insurance company’s adjusters, who are often unhelpful and unyielding. However, there are ways to negotiate with them and get the settlement you deserve. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for negotiating with property damage insurance claims adjusters.

How to Negotiate with Property Damage Insurance Claims Adjusters

First and foremost, be polite. You may be frustrated, but it’s important to remember that the adjuster is just doing his/her job. Is always suggested to have a professional adjuster by your side but if that’s not possible, try to be as calm and collected as possible.

We will cover the top 5 tips that all homeowners should know and understand.

1- Understand your policy and coverages

This is probably the most important tip. You need to know what your policy covers and what it doesn’t. Adjusters will often try to lowball you by saying that something isn’t covered when it actually is. Talk to your insurance agent to make sure you understand your policy before you start negotiating with the adjuster.

Know your deductibles

This is another important piece of information that you need to know before you start negotiating. Your deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance company starts paying for damages. Make sure you know what your deductibles are for different types of damage (e.g., wind, hail, water, etc.) so that you can factor them into your negotiations.

Pro Tip: Document everything

Make sure to take photos or videos of the damage and keep all receipts for repairs. The more documentation you have, the easier it will be to negotiate a fair settlement. And use a trusted insurance claim adjuster, if you are in North Florida contact American Premier Claim Consultants.

2- Understanding your claim and the settlement offer is key

This is where things start getting a little tricky. The insurance company will send you a settlement offer based on their estimate of the damage. It’s important to understand that the insurance company’s estimate is often lower than what it actually costs to repair the damage. This is where you need to do your own research and get estimates from contractors. Once you have your own estimates, you can start negotiating with the adjuster.

It never hurts to ask for more

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating: always ask for more than what the insurance company is offering. The adjuster will likely counter with a lower offer, but it’s important to start high so that you have room to negotiate.

3- Don’t accept the first offer.

Appeal your offer if you can, most people may not know but you are within your rights to reject it. The insurance company is hoping that you will take it and move on with your life. Don’t do this! It’s important to negotiate and get a fair settlement.

When declining an offer you need to write them a letter and tell them why you believe the offer is low. This is where your due diligence can pay off. The insurance company will usually send out its own adjuster to assess the damage. However, you should also get your own independent estimates. This will help you negotiate a better settlement because you will have documentation to back up your claim.

Be prepared to compromise.

You may not get everything you want in the settlement, but try to be reasonable in your expectations. Remember that the goal is to reach an agreement that is fair for both parties.

Get everything in writing. Once you reach an agreement with the adjuster, make sure to get it in writing before you sign anything. This will protect you in case the insurance company tries to back out of the deal later on.

These are just a few tips to help you negotiate with your property damage insurance claims adjuster. Remember, be polite and firm, know what your policy covers and what your deductibles are, understand the settlement offer, and always ask for more than what they’re offering.

4- Hire a professional property insurance adjuster

If you want to be sure that you are getting a fair settlement, you can always hire a professional property insurance adjuster. They will work on your behalf to negotiate with the insurance company and get you the best possible settlement. Is safe to say that 99% of claims managed by a professional are usually settled for more than if the homeowner had handled it themselves.

A professional insurance adjuster will also take care of all the paperwork and documentation for you, so you can focus on repairing your home. If you decide to go this route, make sure to hire a reputable company with experience handling property damage insurance claims.

5- File a lawsuit - Last resort

If you’ve tried everything and you still can’t reach an agreement, your last resort is to file a lawsuit. This should be a last resort because it can be time-consuming and expensive.

Before you take this step, make sure you understand the process and what it will entail. You should also speak to a lawyer to get advice on whether or not this is the right course of action for your situation.

For additional resources, you can also visit American Premier Claim Consultants' Blog. Follow their Youtube channel for great how-to guides and tips from experts.