Expert Insights: Public Adjuster Reveals Key Flood Claim Strategies & Hurricane Idalia Updates for Policyholders

Expert Insights: Public Adjuster Reveals Key Flood Claim Strategies & Hurricane Idalia Updates for Policyholders

Since Hurricane Idalia impacted Florida’s west coast, our public adjusters have been besieged with questions about flood claims. I also noticed from initial state claims data that many claims are being closed without payment. This may be due to policyholders not understanding what is covered under their homeowner's policy vs. their flood policy, if they have one. We are receiving concerning feedback from policyholders who are feeling frustrated in the initial stages of the claims process, especially from the moment they report their first notice of loss.  


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Hurricane Idalia Flood Claims – Now Comes Proof of Loss with NFIP Flood Policies

Hurricane Idalia Flood Claims – Now Comes Proof of Loss with NFIP Flood Policies
Policyholders who were impacted by Hurricane Idalia flooding will soon be faced with fully complying with the terms and conditions of their flood policies.  One of those tasks is the filing a Proof of Loss (POL), which to the layman can be as complex as building a house with no construction experience.  Not surprisingly, our Florida public adjusters are already fielding calls with questions from confused policyholders.
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Public Adjuster Tips for Handling Your Hurricane Idalia Flood Insurance Claim

Public Adjuster Tips for Handling Your Hurricane Idalia Flood Insurance Claim
We’ve revived a very popular blog for the benefit of Hurricane Idalia property owners on understanding flood where our talented staff of public adjusters share some of the best tips they could think of for handling a flood claim. The following are some tips that hopefully will help folks should they have flood coverage. Remember flood insurance is a separate policy from your standard homeowners insurance and covered under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Private insurers also sell under this program. A standard homeowners policy “will not” cover flood defined as rising water. Standard policies will cover wind driven rain or any moisture coming from above such as roof leaks.
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Public Adjuster Tips to Protect Your Hurricane Idalia Flood Insurance Claim

Public Adjuster Tips to Protect Your Hurricane Idalia Flood Insurance Claim

Based on current forecasts, it appears Hurricane Idalia will create significant flooding from Sarasota to St. Petersburg and especially into Tampa Bay the likes that this Florida public adjuster has not seen. Storm surge coinciding with a full moon and high tides may produce some surprises and property owners should prepare for the worst. In addition, embedded tornadoes and significant wind gusts are always in the mix. The time to prepare is now. And should you experience damage, you want to do everything you can to protect your property insurance claim. Experiencing a flood in your home or business can be distressing, and the aftermath can often be overwhelming. One of the critical steps post-flood is to document the damage for insurance claims accurately. Proper documentation not only helps in maximizing your claim benefits but also ensures a smoother claims process. Here are the best tips to help you document and prepare a flood insurance claim effectively.


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Hurricane Ian Policyholders Can Benefit from Lessons Learned after Superstorm Sandy

Hurricane Ian Policyholders Can Benefit from Lessons Learned after Superstorm Sandy
Every day, clients ask questions about the claims adjusting process. Recently, a client and retired home builder affected by Hurricane Ian asked me, how much insurance company adjusters make? I probed, “Why do you ask?” The response, “My insurance company has sent 5 different people to inspect my roof damage and the amount they're paying these people is probably more than the cost to replace my roof!”
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Public Adjuster Tips for Handling Your Hurricane Ian Flood Insurance Claim

Public Adjuster Tips for Handling Your Hurricane Ian Flood Insurance Claim
Hurricane Ian is producing all kinds of flood claim issues and conflicts with wind related water damage. National Flood seems to be responding well in some cases but others are frustrated and confused. We just received a $100K advance for one of our clients and we’ve seen some issuing $15K advance for contents and others $30K for buildings but with mortgage company names included.   We believe National Flood will waive the Proof of Loss requirement so look for an extension to the time frame. Also be very patient see what the City of Cape Coral is saying about homes flooded and built before 1981.
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In the Wake of Hurricane Ian, Florida’s Public Servants Need to be Claim Smart and Shift Focus to Florida Policyholders

In the Wake of Hurricane Ian, Florida’s Public Servants Need to be Claim Smart and Shift Focus to Florida Policyholders

Hurricane Ian is going to be a long hard insurance claim tragedy for Florida homeowners and businesses alike given the state of the insurance industry. Here’s what’s next for policyholder insurance claims, the adjustment process, and how industry consultants can help bring everyone together.   


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Hurricane Henri Update and Claim Damage Links - Public Insurance Adjusters Standby to Help You Obtain a Fair Settlement for Your Property Damage

Hurricane Henri Update and Claim Damage Links - Public Insurance Adjusters Standby to  Help You Obtain a Fair Settlement for Your Property Damage

There’s no question Long Islander’s & New Englanders endured their fair share of blizzards and wicked Nor’easters’, yet for some of our company’s public insurance adjusters who worked for northeastern clients 30-years ago after Hurricane Bob, it feels like yesterday. Making matters worse, Hurricane Henri is projected to make landfall at high tide and with a full moon and that may result in coastal flooding. Please prepare for potential days without power and stock-up sufficiently.


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Eta Insurance Claims – A Public Adjuster Shares Some Commonsense Advice

Eta Insurance Claims – A Public Adjuster Shares Some Commonsense Advice

Tropical Storm Eta has left thousands of residential and commercial property owners with water, flood and wind insurance claims – a process they’ve never had to deal with before. Insurance claim disputes are bound to occur. To deal with these perils it behooves property owners to keep their eye on the ball or in this case the money. High percentage hurricane deductibles are being applied and many folks may be surprised that despite their wind or hurricane coverage, they may be out of pocket for mitigation and replacement costs.


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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