“You can’t fight city hall!” Or in this case Insurance Industry. Some time ago there was on old adage, “You can’t fight City Hall.” There is a similar perception when it comes to the insurance industry. Many believe that the insurance industry is untouchable, and disputing a claim with them will be a fight you simply can’t win. However, that is actually the biggest problem… trying to WIN! It’s not about who wins and who loses, it should only be about the wind damage caused by the storm and the costs. Who wins and who loses causes differences and arguments that rarely have anything to do with the storm damages or the amount needed for proper settling of the claim. The claim turns into a he said she said issue which accomplishes little.
Expert weather forecasters calling for a high-grade 2010 Atlantic basin hurricane season, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) make suggestions to property owners about the most effective ways to prepare their properties from hurricane claim damage. However, we should also discuss some of the common myths about hurricane preparedness.
1. Leave open windows on the sheltered of the house to suppress the air pressure
It is down right impossible to know prior to the hurricane which wall will be the leeward side – as strong winds can and often do change as a storm passes. Trying to open and close windows during a hurricane puts you beside panes that can break, causing injury. Not to mention, as the hurricane direction changes, open windows will often allow wind-driven rains to drain within your house or structure and ruin contents. Common leakage of air around the buildings windows and door openings can tend to relieve hurricane pressure in your dwelling lower than the atmospheric pressure caused by the event on the exterior. The greatest danger comes when a large window or door fails on the wall facing the wind. The key is to keep all wind and rain out of the dwelling with proper opening protection.
2. Property Owners should protect the window and door openings toward the ocean or gulf sides
The fact that hurricanes are a blustery, rotating storm, wind loads can often come from any direction, which can change rapidly where you are more at risk because you end up near the center of the storm. The best result is to cover windows and doors on all sides of the building.
3. Tape a big “X” on the windowsPutting tape on windows doesn’t do anything to secure the main focus of security – to keep the window glass in its frame and securely attached to your building.
4. Holding or pushing against a window and door that are being blown inward by the wind pressure will secure the openings from breaking
These actions will force you in harm’s way and increases the likelihood that you can be cut and injured. Makes no difference what type of glass you own, always keep far away from all windows during intense windstorm. Before a hurricane comes, review the anchoring of your exterior doors. On exterior doors, you should consider to install more latches to make sure that hinges are well-anchored with at least 3″ screws that penetrate into the wall studs. Such protective action prior to the threat ensures you won’t be tempted to try and keep doors secure by pushing on them. Shield yourself with as many walls as you can between you and the windward building.
5. We Have Had had a policy with the carrier for 40 years. They will pay for all my damages to my property
Unfortunately insurance reps offer policies that truly provide a false sense of security to policyholders. For the most part property owners are under the impression that when they suffer damage to their homes they will be covered in the event of a storm or when they suffer an insurance loss. Well… not necessarily. There can be issues with larger windstorms that will result in damages that are not covered under certain property policies. For instance, damage from a flood would not be covered under homeowners or business policies. In events where property owners suffer damage by flooding, you must have a flood policy on top of your homeowners or business policy.
Severe storms can often produce what is known as storm surge. Storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, like a hurricane or cyclones. The surge is caused predominantly by high wind running along the ocean’s surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the typical ocean level. When the surge pounds the coast it causes severe damages to houses and buildings. The associated damage will not be covered under ANY insurance policy.
6. “You can’t fight city hall!” Or in this case Insurance Industry (BONUS Insurance Tip)
Some time ago there was on old adage, “You can’t fight City Hall.” There is a similar perception when it comes to the insurance industry. Many believe that the insurance industry is untouchable, and disputing a claim with them will be a fight you simply can’t win. However, that is actually the biggest problem… trying to WIN! It’s not about who wins and who loses, it should only be about the wind damage caused by the storm and the costs. Who wins and who loses causes differences and arguments that rarely have anything to do with the storm damages or the amount needed for proper settling of the claim. The claim turns into a he said she said issue which accomplishes little.
Sure, you may not have the stones to fight city hall… however, you can stand up and dispute an insurance carrier. If you decide to dispute your claim with your insurance carrier you are actually protected by the policy. Most all insurance policies for property damage have a little misunderstood provision called Appraisal. The appraisal clause allows disagreements to be concluded by independent appraisers and an insurance umpire as opposed to settling in court.
The process also allows for insurance claim disagreements and disputes to be settled using a less costly and less time consuming process. Although the appraisal process and appraisal award (outcome) is binding, it’s a less formal process that doesn’t involve attorneys, judges, juries, or courts of law. If you suffer from a hurricane claim and you can’t reach a fair settlement, the appraisal process can be something you investigate. Obtain full details at www Insurance Appraisal Process dot com.
Copyright of Insurance Claims Group, Inc. & Joseph P. Brennan: Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. Joe has been in the property loss business for more than 24-years. His loss experience began as a contractor / builder, which included water and fire damage restoration repair services. After 20-years of insurance restoration estimating and repair experience, Mr. Brennan became a licensed independent insurance claims adjuster. Joe has maintained his IICRC Certification in both Fire and Water Restoration and also maintains active adjuster licenses in 10-states. Throughout his career, he has handled many multi-million dollar losses, both commercial and residential. The amount of combined experience and knowledge of new construction, damage repairs, and insurance claims handling has advanced his ability to act as a Dispute Appraiser and Appraisal Umpire. Mr. Brennan is highly educated with the appraisal process and has acted as an appraiser and umpire on dozens of claims.