Fire at one of my last rental

Ciak,

Of course you applied and used your insiders leverage.

The point I always made in the past, was that it is a Rare home owner who understands the process and they get rolled over and dictated to as if that is there only recourse.

Go get 3 estimates and turn them into us for approval.

We can set you up with our "Preferred" Contractor.

No, we are not paying that much. Out estimate only comes up to half that amount.

Well, the reality of how it really works to the uneducated about the methods, is that what that smiling adjuster tells you is Gosel. As you point out, you have to clue them in to the additional work. They probably already took your insiders viewpoint into consideration knowing that it would be scrutinized.

Home owners are not aware of the fact that Xactimate is "Only An Estimate" in and of itself.

Replacement cost coverage means that they are obligated to pay for like kind and quality for the agreed upon scope.

Once an insured has a fair contract in hand, the game ends in most cases. There need not be any back and forth negotiation, as long as only the agreed upon scope of work is being applied to the contract.

Now, I hope that you get every bit of the true proceeds that you are due, plus the 10 + 10 OH & P that you deserve for managing the construction activities that will ensue.

Ed>>>

I know that a catastrophe is declared when the damage goes over One million dollars. A Major Disaster Declaration usually follows these steps: Local Government Responds, supplemented by neighboring communities and volunteer agencies. If overwhelmed, turn to the state for assistance; The State Responds with state resources, such as the National Guard and state agencies; Damage Assessment by local, state, federal, and volunteer organizations determines losses and recovery needs; A Major Disaster Declaration is requested by the governor, based on the damage assessment, and an agreement to commit state funds and resources to the long-term recovery; FEMA Evaluates the request and recommends action to the White House based on the disaster, the local community and the state's ability to recover; The President approves the request or FEMA informs the governor it has been denied. This decision process could take a few hours or several weeks depending on the nature of the disaster. >>>

Maybe this should be in a new thread, but I'm going to ask it here, and if it needs to be moved, just say so. It's not clear to me as to when a bad storm becomes a federal disaster. And then, if and when it does....when does the SBA Federal disaster relief insurance step in....after you have settled with your own insurance, or in place of them or what? I have been involved with the Blizzard of 78 in New England. Being a local contractor at that time, in my opinion was to my advantage. Unfortunately, I didn't charge for estimates, was totally uneducated in the insurance -savvy lingo needed to moove smoothly thru the process. despite that, we wrote close to $30 Million dollars worth of estimates, and performed close to $3 Million of that. Despite that, we lost $200,000.00 from jobs we couldn't collect on. When a deposit check comes in the mail..... from an estimate that you gave to a customer and their insurance company, I think it's only natural to assume that you are dealing with an approved claim, and funds from same claim. Regardless of my error in following up on where it's coming from, I still had a business to run, and a payroll to meet. I don't think "blue tarp nation" was a politically correct back then, but we did perform a lot of temporary boarding up, and security measures for customers that were referred to us from our insurance company. We had become the only local "Federal disaster relief" contractor still in business.

A few years later, when the dust had settled, and the books were balanced, it was very clear as to what needed to be in place to do business more efficiently. Remember... this was before cell phones, laptops, excell spreadsheets and quick books, amongst many other modern day conveniences, or assumed tools for doing business. If there was any similarity between then and now when it comes to big disasters, it might be in the methods of the utility companies.....they came from everywhere... neighborhoods became ghost towns.....National guard standing at intersections with machine guns, hovering around 55 gal cans burning wood for heat and chacking ID from every vehicle was a normal days observation. Having an SBA emergancy Disaster relief permit was a commodity. The list of volunteers wanting to ride with us and help us, just to see their neighbors homes destruction was endless. It was a little bit more serious than hail damage litigation, but still,t was construction business in it's most essential form. Living with a tarp is a lot less devastating to me than seeing your house after being under two high tide storm surges, with your doors ripped out, and your possessions floated a mile or more away to the other side of the river. My point is, the psychology of dealing with these people, living in a local high school gymnasium on cots, not knowing anything, has to have a lot more personal urgency than dealing with homeowners waiting for what we all know could be cosmetic repairs, more than urgent work. It almost seems here, and not to be condescending to anyone, that insurance adjusters are as im-personaland insensitive, as the storm chasers that show up and start working as soon as the money starts flowing.

>>>

Minnesota I kinda freaked the inside adjuster out . I was critiquing the summary and made him aware of some of the discrepancies . I get my obligatory E mail . How in the hell did you get that . I haven't even reviewed it or looked at it !!!!!!!!! :ohmy: I just very politely mentioned we need to proceed from here and take a look at yada yadda line item so and so . I apologized for freaking him out. I did tell him in the beginning what I did . No surprises there. Kindness and patience's is the key. He still doesn't like the fact I got it before he did. Ed would call that leverage . B) ;) ;)>>>

The only way we get approved the 10 and 10 is if we prove the following in a supplement - 3 Trades- proof of 3 separate sub contractors, our licenses their Licenses, Permits, Material invoices from our subs not us.

Unless that freak occurance the adjuster approves it on the spot. Which only happened on my personal residence.

My basement flooded i was only asking for damaged sheetrock, carpet and clean up -the adjuster threw in roof, siding, window, paint, stain, deck O and p without me even asking.

I have been working on Storm damage claims since 98 almost 11 years - I know the whole process and most line item charges are in memory.

In 98 we had a storm took 2 years for contractors to catch up - we had 4 storms last year work is done in 1 month each storm - The only work that is not done are those who spent money or are waiting on preferred ins contractors to catch up -

What would you do as an adjuster if you walked up to a job the homeowner and his contractor were there -- The contractor hands you a diagram of entire property and a 12 page exactimate printout? (Which 9 out of 10 times i have done every job) You still have to do your job right?

So here the deal - I can line item ins companies endlessly with exactimate turn a 6k job into 12k no problem. Problem is every contractor in the state does this you as the adjuster see every claim you go to is this way. What are you going to think? All contractors are scamming turn in a minimum so there is no risk of your claim getting flagged - i also understand they do random checks this is what i mean by flagged if you covered every claim to its fullest extent you would get flagged often - if you paid 10 and 10 every job you would get flagged. Unless you are a preferred contractor. Preffered contractors at least are in the database look it is so and so restoration we need to approve o and p they always get it.

I was in a neighborhood today seen a bunch of my competitors signs so i start knocking ---- yeah did you talk to Bills Const? Yeah good company what did he say? Says i got some storm damage - Mind if i take a look? sure but i am not signing anything -- no problem if there is damage i will leave an estimate for repairs -- i know Bills will not commit to a price but i do not mind my price is based on actual damage i know Bill likes to negoite with Ins on prices. I am typicially half the cost but i will take a look. I looked at 3 different houses marginal damage dents the size of a pin head on furnace pipes - no fascia damage - no loose siding, shingles etc very marginal damage --Ball parked 3 estimates not a chance in the world could i honestly meet an adjuster and convince them the roof or siding need to be replaced but Bills will probably convince 1 out of 10. and that 1 in 10 will be the one that the homeowner will not take no for an answer.

So i can not justify spending time on these kinda marginal adjustments - My only hope is that i get that 1 in 10 homeowner who Bills convinced the adjuster for a new roof to call me back and say hey i got this estimate half price of Bills which is still good money - Then upgrade materials for the rest of claim Tell HO to paint deck himself for $500 off.>>>

The PA's have police and fire scanners, this guy was there with in less than or about 30 mins after the fire trucks left I mean to say quick . With the percentage the PA would have charged me for representing me on this claim . It would have definitely not been worth my time with him . The process doesn't change it is the same . As far as throwing the 10 an 10 out not a chance . Like I've been saying if you know the process . It's the system . >>>

The same thing happened to me Chuck - I think you may be overlooking a few things though remember that public adjuster how did he get your name so quick?

Also consider this That PA would have probably done a good job for you but say you hired some third party that seemed to know all the tricks - The insurance company being the way they are would fight that third party all the way.

I can guarantee if you were to represent someone elses property it would not be as easy -- unless you had an in with insurance company - First off throw that 10 and 10 out the window and be prepared to show proof of contractors, Licenses, Permits, Materials before it is even considered.

The insurance company has a contract with the owner not the third party and unless you are in with the insurance company the 3rd party does not get any respect due to the riff raf stormers inflating claims.>>>

Just received my tarp and clean up checks . I also have the adjusters summary in my possession . I have been reviewing it . Looks like I'm going to file a supplement for kitchen cabinet uppers . The rest of the claim so far is more than fair . With the 20% overhead and profit it will allow me to upgrade many of the systems in the house. It has been a very nice and well organized process, As I have mentioned before if you know the process things will and can work for you>>>

I have just received my ALE check for lost rent 3 months , 2 in advance + tarp and clean up. Now I'll admit here that I had to get a little forceful with the inside adjuster. What I mean by this is , the process started to stall a little . With courteous understanding not whimpy dialogue ( it went a little like this ........ I'm glad you have reviewed my claim Thank you. Now all that aside it is time for action yadda yadda I don't want to fight you but I will . As a resort , however not the last one I will start with your manager then on to ......... I was on the phone with him after that and matters are well in hand and underway. Knowing the process's and staying calm but firm gets it done. After the engineer report I'll receive a claim summary which I will go over and any discrepancy I will go to the process>>>

CIAK Said: While I was away I contacted the inside adjuster to find out what was going on with the engineers report. It hasnt been processed yet . The inside adjuster who I will be dealing with from here on because I havent treated him like the enemy has been very accommodating and has helped me . The process works if you are calm and understand and work the process.

You just keep tellin' yourself that Chucky :P :P 'cause the hammer is comin' down soon and you know it.

JET>>>

While I was away I contacted the inside adjuster to find out what was going on with the engineer's report. It hasn't been processed yet . The inside adjuster who I will be dealing with from here on because I haven't treated him like the enemy has been very accommodating and has helped me . The process works if you are calm and understand and work the process.>>>

Off to Oaklahoma City the palce is blazing see ya>>>

Well ed let try to understand the process, The catastrophe adjuster is paid on a percentage , That is the more the claim pays the more he or she makes. Now if your dealing with an inside salaried adjuster it is in their best interest as far as the money goes to only what they see and know. The short sided side of that is the urban legend of the the insurance company ripping everyone off is perpetuated and the myth continues . On the other side the Insurance company are in business today because they know how to make money . All of it can be adjusted .Most inside adjuster pride themselves on getting the square footage of the roof correct , On this point for the most part I think I can agree . When you meet them on site they will let you know how well and how many roofs they look at in a month. That doesn't make then roofing experts by a long shot. that is where a lot of the issue start to play . Dp not be intimidated go for what you know as an expert . Watch what happens. is do it with firm kindness not the usual your ripping me off scumbag insurance companies etc Professionalism is what the are used to . If your right stick to your guns pursue it .>>>

I prefer that there is no conflict and that when the adjuster is supplied with the proper facts, they should act responsibly, not as if the money due were directly coming out of their pockets and make life and the job progression more difficult to get under way.

But, from about 1/2 of my experiences, it seems as if they stall at this point and try to see who can hold their breath longer, waiting for the go ahead for the scope discussed.

Ed>>>

Ed Man you are sharp. That is what I'm talking about. Knowing the process. If I have a customer with a roofing claim and they want me to handle it I do the same thing I do for myself . You can lead your customer through any circumstance . Even if you get an adjuster who shorts the claim , even if you don't know it till later in the process , If you understand how things work and are calm and not afraid the claims process just becomes a sequence instead of the dribble and whining you hear echoing through the hollow heads of those who seek to mislead or are ignorant lemmings , Knowledge is power Bacon. So by not feeding the frenzy you further your business your relationship with the people in your community and the professionalism of your craft, Fear is an illusion. I do have nervous feeling only because of conflict . What I realized along time ago conflict is part of life . So I'm not afraid of it anymore . If you know how things work you can better serve your customer. Nothing perfect. I haven't seen any of the numbers yet . That should be happening in a couple of weeks.>>>