Posts by Rick Tutwiler

The Benefits of Pre-Loss Property Insurance Claim Preparation and Disaster Planning

The Benefits of Pre-Loss Property Insurance Claim Preparation and Disaster Planning

Some of our most savvy clients understand just how important it is to have an experienced Public Adjuster on their team even before a property loss occurs.  Some of our clients have been extremely fortunate to never have sustained a property loss but have nonetheless educated themselves to prepare or have heard the horror stories of others who have endured the insurance claim process. At Tutwiler & Associates Public Adjusters, we’ve created a program just for this purpose called: Disaster First Recovery Services


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Cape Coral Still Feeling Impact of Tornados

Cape Coral Still Feeling Impact of Tornados

When and EF2 tornado hit the Cape Coral area in early January and then another windstorm added insult to injury, it was a good indicator of what hurricane force winds will do to a community like this. Here’s some drone video showing the wind damaged landscape. We are still working with some policyholders in the area and the situation down there is surprisingly still not good. Homeowners are starting to get their claim checks from their carrier and suddenly realizing they are not enough to fix their damage. Well over one hundred homes are on a 4-6 week wait for tile roofs. Worse yet, insurance carriers are not paying for roof tarps and I hear the local building department is overwhelmed with permitting and inspections.


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    Avoid a Fire Insurance Claim this Holiday Season

    Avoid a Fire Insurance Claim this Holiday Season

    We want to thank public adjuster Mike Stabile for crafting this holiday blog. The joyful sounds of the season can be heard all around, the halls have been meticulously decked, we're searching for the perfect gifts to fill the stockings and pile under our beautiful trees as we prepare to open our homes to love and laughter with our family and friends this holiday season. 


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    Support United Policyholders

    Support United Policyholders
    One group we would like all our professional colleagues to be aware of is United Policyholders, a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and advocate for property insurance policyholders. Whenever there is a major weather or disaster event, like the recent California wild fires, they are there to answer questions and lend a hand with disaster recovery assistance. We are proud to be a Platinum Sponsor and welcome the opportunity to be part of the expert panel that helps to answer policyholder questions. We urge all of our colleagues to consider helping this organization, so they can do more to educate and protect policyholders. 
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    South Carolina Flooding – Policyholder Questions Part III

    Here is our 3rd and final installment of questions we are fielding from the flooding in the Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina.  Hopefully we can help others seeking similar answers with flood insurance claims issues.

    Q.  How much drywall damage will my flood insurance pay for? 
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    South Carolina Flooding – Policyholder Questions Part II

    South Carolina Flooding – Policyholder Questions Part II

    Here is our 2nd installment of questions we are fielding from the flooding in the Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina.  Hopefully we can help others seeking similar answers with flood insurance claims issues.

    Q.  My lower cabinets were damaged by the flood waters.  Does my flood insurance pay to match them and pay for my upper cabinets? 


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    South Carolina Flooding – Policyholder Questions Part I

    Whenever there is a severe storm like the flooding in the Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina area our inbox gets inundated with questions from policyholders who are entering the insurance claims world for the first time and are seeking answers on how to recover from their damage. Over the next week we’ll publish some of the more popular questions with hopes that we can help others seeking similar answers. 

    Q.  What does the NFIP flood policy require me to do after I report my claim.
     

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    Tampa Flood Homeowners Should Beware of Mold – Is it Covered?

    Tampa Flood Homeowners Should Beware of Mold – Is it Covered?
    Those who experienced any type of water intrusion from the recent Tampa Bay rain and flooding may experience mold infiltration. When claims are delayed and repairs put on hold it can become a real problem as mold can grow unseen for months and create a serious health hazard. In the past, mold damage claims were covered under most property insurance when it resulted from a covered peril, such as a sudden plumbing leak, fire control, storm or other cause covered by your property insurance policy. However, some insurance carriers have been removing or scaling back the coverage from their policy forms regardless if it results from a covered peril. In some instances, the insurance companies offer a limited coverage for mold and fungus for an additional premium. 
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    Ever Wonder What Happens to Your Insurance Claim Once the Adjuster Leaves?

    Ever Wonder What Happens to Your Insurance Claim Once the Adjuster Leaves?
    Many people might be surprised that having an adjuster look at your claim is only the beginning of the insurance claim process. Remember, the field adjuster that inspects your property may not be an employee of the insurance company. They are typically independent adjusters on contract and typically are paid a set fee or percentage for each claim they handle. This is especially true during disaster situations when there are so many claims to adjust. You should ask them what firm they are with when they come to inspect your property and note how thorough they are recording your damage and if they are “listening” to you. 
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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, 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