Understanding Your Property Insurance Coverage When you Have a Claim - A Simple Review Tool

The first thing many homeowners do when they experience a property loss is to dust off their insurance policy to see if they are covered. Quickly, they realize the complicated language property insurance policies can contain. It’s important to understand that the dynamics of a property loss are inseparable from the policy language when determining coverage. Even professionals can find interpreting policy language challenging. 
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Our Most Popular Property Insurance Claim Posts of the Year Part II

Our Most Popular Property Insurance Claim Posts of the Year Part II

In part 2 of our year in review, we learned from an Orlando couple that even the simplest property claim can quickly become complicated. We also got lots of reads on understanding what proof of loss is all about. Superstorm Sandy even reared its head again after we settled a 2 year battle to recover a fair settlement for a client. Life as a Public Insurance Adjuster never gets boring. Enjoy the rest of our popular claim posts.    

Got something you’d like us to write about next year? Let us know. A safe and Happy New Year to all!

Couple has Advice for Those Who Have Even the Simplest Insurance Claim

Proof of Loss Property Insurance Claim Requirements in Florida

Sandy Flood Claims Denied – Public Adjuster Wins Reversal 2 Years Later

Click to read more of the best posts of the year


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Choosing the Right Public Adjuster Can Make a Difference in Your Claim Settlement

We recently handled a property claim involving a serious electrical fire in the home of a Clearwater Largo, FL family that caused significant fire, water, and smoke damage to the building and personal property. After being hired, the homeowner told us of a situation that is sadly becoming a recurring theme when fires occur. What we are referring to are the restoration contractors and public adjuster chasers who offer their services by bombarding the homeowners with confusing information and high pressure sales tactics.
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Policyholders must beware of roofers and contractors acting as insurance adjusters

A rising problem that we in the public adjusting profession have been dealing with for years seems to finally have caught the attention of Florida officials. That is, the practice of insurance adjusting without a license by roofers and restoration contractors who sometimes are also unlicensed. A recent article, Illegal for roofers to act as insurance adjusters, experts warn perfectly illustrates the growing problem that takes advantage of homeowners who are in a stressful situation trying to repair their property and get a fair settlement. Hats off to Nancy Dominquez of The Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters who states, “when you have individuals or companies trying to convince homeowners that their contracting or roofing license permits them to handle insurance claims, that's incorrect. Not only is it incorrect, it's against the law.”


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Property insurance claim denied? Using the insurance company’s expert may lead to a reversal

Let me explain with an example of a claim that came across my desk that should be instructive laying out the steps policyholders should take when the dreaded denial letter comes in the mail from your insurance company. First, don’t panic. You may be able to turn things around provided you have requested all the information you need to convince your insurance company of the errors of their ways. So let’s get started. It will require a little work on your part, but you can do it.


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Water Damage Insurance Claims Pendulum Swinging the Wrong Way for Florida Policyholders

I want to thank Florida Public Adjuster Michael Platts for penning this excellent commentary. 

By Michael W. Platts
We are rapidly approaching the end of the hurricane season. It has been an unprecedented nine years since a hurricane has struck the State of Florida. Nonetheless, many citizens are not seeing much if any reduction in their property insurance premiums and worse yet, the overall environment seems to be one in which the consumer continues to receive less and less coverage whether it is a result of unfavorable court rulings, legislative machinations which strengthen the hand of the insurance companies or more restrictive language within the insurance companies’ contracts (their policies).


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Florida Insurance Market – Another Step Towards Stability after the Election

I want to thank Florida Public Adjuster Michael Platts for penning this excellent commentary. 

By Michael W. Platts

So, the hotly contested election in Florida is over. What’s next? How will the results impact the policyholders in our State? This is a key issue for a number of reasons; including the importance of affordable insurance costs, the role it plays in the recovery of the real estate market and the economy of our State as a whole.


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Congratulations to all the electoral candidates

Congratulations to all the electoral candidates

The end of an election cycle always presents a new opportunity for positive change. I pray that all the elected candidates remember who they are working for and try to work together to help both the property insurance policyholders and great State of Florida. The words of a great President come to mind: Let us not seek the Republican answer, or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.  – John F. Kennedy


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The Changing World of the Property Claims Appraisal Process – Florida Reform is Needed

Anyone who follows property insurance matters and especially reported court cases has no doubt picked up on a recurring theme of some courts in various jurisdictions and their decisions about the appraisal clause. Specifically the court’s interpretation of what can and cannot be undertaken by an appraisal panel has been under review and reformed. That is a good thing! These court decisions may have a significant impact on property policy disputes regarding the amount of the loss and damages from a coved loss and the process of the appraisal panels work in determining those criteria. 
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Proof of Loss Property Insurance Claim Requirements in Florida

A recent opinion of Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeals involving a Hurricane Wilma homeowner’s claim has a rather startling decision, and not a good one for the policyholder side. The case Hunt v. State Farm highlights the need for policyholders to pay close attention to their claim, their insurance policy language and any communication they receive from their insurance company. This is particularly true given the results of this case on the requirement to file a proof of loss.
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"On Property" Insurance Claim Tips Blog

Tips and advice about how to properly file and protect your property damage insurance claim and get a fair settlement. We invite all readers to ask questions about their claim so our public adjusters can post answers for others to benefit. Insurance claim expert guest bloggers welcome to submit posts via our contact form.

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Local Office

Tutwiler & Associates Public Adjusters, Inc.
Licensed Public Insurance Adjusters & Loss Consultants
Offices: Tampa, Orlando, Palm City, Ft. Myers, Florida; Dallas, TX; Pittsburgh, PA

Executive Office
4300 W. Cypress St.
Suite 780
Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813.287.8090
Toll Free: 800.321.4488

Licensed in Florida # W840088 &
Texas #1399706 plus 16 other states
and the Virgin Islands