Tornados that hit several townships have left many homeowners and businesses with significant damage, especially in the Fox Chapel, Allison Park, Hampton and Franklin areas. Our local Pittsburgh Public Adjuster, Zach Flora reports widespread wind and tree damage. Policyholders with tornado damage need to understand some of the basic insurance claim adjusting procedures that will play an important role to achieve a fair, expeditious claim settlement and avoid delays. Insurance companies and their teams of catastrophe adjusters may be overwhelmed given the breadth and severity of the tornado damage in Pittsburgh and volume of calls. Here are some tips and common mistakes to avoid while preparing yourself for the insurance claim process.

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The EF2 tornado that started in Pinellas Park and touched down several times all the way through Polk County will have many filing property insurance claims. The industrial claim damage will be especially complicated given property damage, business interruption and inventory loss issues that will arise. As a local Tampa Bay public adjusting firm serving the area since 1984 we are ready to assist policyholders with their claims. Here are some tips and common mistakes to avoid while preparing yourself for the insurance claim process.

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Last week I got a call from a writer based in Florida who is doing an article for the AARP Magazine (American Association of Retired People). The reporter was doing research to coordinate information that may be useful to folks whom may have the unfortunate experience of suffering through a catastrophic event that many of us in the insurance claims business have dealt with for our entire professional careers. The article, I am told, will be focused on how to prepare for and survive a natural disaster and other catastrophic events for this unique population of folks who are 55 years young and older.

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Its seems that all the weather experts I have heard are in agreement that we have at least three more months of El Niño influenced weather to look forward to. For the property owners that already have tornado damages from the last two Florida west coast storms you may be exposed to additional damages. So please don’t let your guard down.
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Florida has gone through a remarkable decade without any wide spread wind losses. The past two weeks broke this lucky streak when two weather events resulted in tornado damage on the west coast of Florida, most notably in Coral Springs, Siesta Key and Sarasota. It seems that most experts contribute these wind loses to the El Niño weather phenomenon currently in place. Over the next few weeks there will be a rash of tornado and wind damage insurance claims. 
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Action 9 News in Orlando recently did a story about a homeowner who experienced a water loss and quickly hired an emergency contractor who tore out the damaged portion of the kitchen and then kept the insurance proceeds without finishing the job. The conclusion of the report was to strongly recommend that folks that have an insurable loss not sign an all-inclusive right to proceeds contract with a contractor. 

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If you live in the Pensacola, Destin, Gulf Breeze and Ft. Walton Beach area and your home was severely damaged by flood to the extent that it is uninhabitable, your insurance policy may provide a coverage called “Additional Living Expense” or “A.L.E.” Under the Additional Living Expense coverage, you and your family may be entitled to rent another home of the same size, like kind and quality as well as be reimbursed for any extra expenses you may incur such as food and temporary lodging.

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Policyholders in Pensacola, Destin, Gulf Breeze and Ft. Walton Beach might be surprised that having an adjuster look at your claim is only the beginning of the 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. 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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Based on reports, homeowners and businesses in the Florida Panhandle (including Pensacola and Destin and much of the Southeast) are dealing with serious flood and water damage from the recent storms. Once local authorities give the all clear, your property has been inspected and it’s safe to return, mitigation efforts should be started. If insured for the loss, you will find most insurance policies have a requirement that you take reasonable and necessary measures to protect and preserve your property from further damage. This can be a difficult and challenging undertaking that require decisions often involving a great deal of money at a time when your insurance adjuster may not have seen your loss or given the OK to start the dry-out or restoration process. If possible have the restoration company give you the scope of work and pricing in writing and then give it to the adjuster assigned to your loss from the insurance company for their approval. If possible, schedule a meeting at the site with all parties present. While this may not be practical given the scope and size of a storm, it leaves nothing to chance.

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