The Office of Insurance Regulation of the State of Florida released a statement about State Farm Insurance Company’s intent to leave the State of Florida. Commissioner Kevin McCarthy issued a consent order that ends the pending litigation between State Farm and the Insurance Commissioner’s office concerning State Farm’s plan to leave Florida’ property insurance market. State Farm will now continue writing business in Florida’s residential insurance market, and Citizens Property Insurance dodges a bullet that could have been fatal.
The Florida legislature established Citizens Property Insurance, the high risk pool, in 2002, in response to insurance companies that either went bankrupt, cancelled or pulled out of Florida because of repeated hurricanes. So, Citizens Property Insurance places the Florida taxpayers at risk for residential losses. Since 2002, storm after storm have struck Florida, nearly bankrupting Citizens. And Citizens is only one big storm away from ruin. So, when State Farm, the largest residential property insurer in Florida announced that they were leaving the state, the Insurance Commissioner’s office panicked.
This allowed State Farm to figuratively bend the Commissioner over the couch and have its way with him. Prior to State Farm’s announcement that they were leaving Florida, the company requested a rate increase of over 65% which was denied by the Commissioner. But rather than wave goodbye to Florida’s largest insurer, the Commissioner has granted the smaller...yet generous...rate increase of 14.8%. And, it is allowing State Farm to get rid of 125,000 policies that are arguably the highest risk policies they have on the books.
So, not only does State Farm get a rate increase on all policies, but it gets to keep its most profitable business and shove the riskier business off onto the taxpayers of the State of Florida. And for Citizens, 125,000 risky policies is better than 860,000.
You’ve got to admire that kind of moxy. State Farm, being the largest insurer in Florida, took full advantage of their market position and finally showed the State of Florida who is the boss. The regulators and the Florida legislature had little choice and no options but to give in to State Farm’s demands. The press release issued by the Commissioner’s office was a pitiful attempt to save face and spin the story to look like the Commish’s office was protecting Florida’s property owners.
Don’t you wonder if the terms of the consent order was what State Farm wanted all along?
Showing posts with label auto insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label auto insurance. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Your Free Copy of My Book Is Only A Click Away!
Insider Blows the Whistle and Reveals All!
Former insurance adjuster shares valuable strategies so you don't get ripped off by your insurance company!
For a limited time, get your copy of his book at no cost or obligation!
FROM: Russell D. Longcore
Dear Friends-
Frankly, I am exhausted.
Selling books is hard work. I think that giving books away might be easier.
Wouldn’t you agree?
From now until midnight ET, June 30, 2009, I’m going to give you a free copy of my hot-selling 220-page book “Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” No strings attached...no cost...no obligation. This is a $29.97 value, given to you at no cost whatsoever.
I’ll also give a copy of the book to anyone on planet Earth that you tell about the offer.
Pay It Forward, folks. Pay It Forward. Do good for others and it will return to you.
I accept 100% of the risk. You have 0% risk and you do not spend even one cent.
So please keep reading for all the details!
After many years as an insurance claims adjuster, I had seen insurance companies delay, defend and deny insurance claims. I wanted to help policyholders maximize their insurance claims, not stand by and watch the insurance companies cheat their own policyholders. The more I wrote, the more the book became an insider’s “tell-all” expose´that benefits anyone with an insurance policy.
I knew that the insurance companies will NEVER reveal the TRUE claims process. Why would they? If they tell you ways that you can collect more money in your claim, they make less profit. And, if you have questions about the claims process, who are you going to ask? Most people will ask the insurance company, who controls the claims process. It’s great for the insurance company, but terrible for you.
Most people I’ve ever talked to don’t know the first thing about how to handle an insurance claim. That puts them...YOU...entirely at the mercy of the insurance company and the insurance adjuster.
Many times, people who have had a loss are on the raw edge of emotion. Isn’t is natural to be fearful in a situation where you don’t feel you’re in control…where you don’t know what will happen next, and you’re scared you’ll be “ripped off?” Most everyone has heard a story from a relative or friend about an insurance claim that went badly.
People like that need solid advice and a strategy on what to do to get their claim paid IN FULL.
They need to understand the claims process completely so that they are not at the mercy of the insurance company, the claims adjuster and the claims examiner.
They need to be paid every dollar that they are entitled to collect.
They need to have peace of mind knowing that their claim was handled correctly.
So I wrote a book. I guess I struck a responsive chord with policyholders.
I wrote the book “Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” (ICSR) and released it in June of 2007. By October of 2007, the book had rocketed to NUMBER ONE in two search categories at Amazon.com, the world’s largest bookseller. The book has STAYED NUMBER ONE continuously ever since!
Even if you enter the most general keyword possible, “insurance,” into the Search box, Amazon will show you over 350,000 books. ICSR is ALWAYS in the top 100, and its highest daily ranking was #21 back in April 2009.
ICSR has sold all over the world at $29.97. I’ve sold it on every continent. Policyholders from America to England to Ireland to Singapore to Thailand have bought this book and used my strategies to collect more money in their insurance claims.
In this book, you will learn:
• The games and scams insurance companies use to cut costs and keep claim payments at the lowest amounts possible
• When it's the right time to use an attorney
• How you can take control of your claim, and not allow the insurance company or claims adjuster to control YOU
• What a Public Adjuster is, and the valuable help you can get from them
• That the insurance adjuster is NOT there to help you
• How to handle insurance adjusters and get paid all you are entitled to collect
• and much more
You will learn:
• What to do when you have a car accident...BEFORE you open the car door or talk to anyone. This one strategy could save you hundreds of thousands of $$$
• How much MORE money I collected (thousands!) in the two little claims I had while writing this book, and how you can do the same things I did
• About Diminished Value on automobiles, and how it can cost you THOUSANDS if you don't fight
• About cheap aftermarket auto parts that insurance companies LOVE, but leave you less safe
• How insurance companies use depreciation to cheat their policyholders, and how to fight back and WIN
• What you MUST do after a loss like a hurricane, flood or fire
• And so much more
Get this book before something bad happens to you!
Get this book after something bad happens to you to keep it from getting worse!
Here is what our readers have said about this book!
“Thanks for writing your book. It explains things so the rest of us can understand.”
Dawn A., Houston, TX
* * * *
“I was really glad when I came across your book. I wish we had come across it sooner. Thank you for writing a book and making yourself available for questions.”
Marie R., Warren, NJ
* * * *
“Hey Russ,
Great book! I am sure I will give your books away as gifts too...”
Andy S., Westminster, MA
* * * *
“I heard the DJ on the local radio station talking about Russell's book, so I immediately downloaded it when I got to work. It has been a great help to me. Not only does it talk about vehicle accidents but property damage and more, as well. I would recommend anyone dealing with an insurance company to buy this book. Well worth the knowledge you gain to determine if the insurance company is treating you fairly. Knowledge is power when dealing with insurance companies.”
Lisa W., Winston, GA
* * * *
“Russell D. Longcore deals with this head-on, and in terms that you and I can easily understand. His honest, direct, straight-forward approach is excellent.
It's not a question of "if" you're going to need to know and understand the facts about which Longcore writes in this book - but "when." Longcore addresses those things which the insurance industry would just as soon you never knew, and certainly won't tell you, until after-the-fact. Based on personal experience, I hope it's not too late for you.
If you're considering the purchase of a new policy, or are about to renew a policy - regardless of the type - READ THIS BOOK FIRST.
INSURANCE CLAIM SECRETS REVEALED! is a book deserving of a FIVE STAR rating, because it will guide you in your thought process, and protect you in ways that you've never suspected, nor imagined. Pass it up at your own peril.”
Sanders H., Atlanta, GA
* * * *
“At the end of Feb. 2008 a tornado went through our neighborhood. Fortunately the damage we sustained was inconvenient damage. We had several trees down, one unfortunately hit the back of our car, and lots of debris, and the top of our neighbor's pine tree was dropped onto our roof. We called our insurance agent to report and started the clean-up. The weekend after the storm I was listening to the radio and heard Russell Longcore being interview by Ilyce Glink. I was so impressed, I immediately got online to his website and bought the E-book. It downloaded right away and I started to read. Fortunately our house is now back together and we are only out of pocket the amount of our deductible. There is so much information in this book and it's easy to read and understand. No one should be without it.”
Dee K, Atlanta, GA
* * * * * * * *
Bookselling is tough.
I published this book myself instead of going begging for a publisher. I’m OK with that, but when you self-publish, you also assume the role of Marketing Director.
Don’t believe the hype that you can write a popular book and the money just rolls in. Hundreds of thousands of book titles are published each year. Most authors who write a book, no matter what kind of book, never sell 1,000 copies...EVER! The big mega-selling books are so scarce it’s ridiculous. No wonder publishers are going out of business at record numbers.
Selling books is exhilarating, though. You can’t imagine how rewarding it is to have readers tell stories of how my strategies have helped them collect all the money they were entitled to collect! I’ve been blessed to change lives the world over!
But What’s In It For YOU?
Simple. I want to give YOU a copy of my book as a marketing experiment to jump-start my other business.
I’ve found that another very effective use for ICSR is to give them as a business introduction gift. I use the books to introduce my business to others. I give such a large amount of value UP FRONT to prospective customers that they will do business with ME, rather than my competitors. Everybody wins.
My other business is “Insurance Quote HQ.” The website address is: www.InsuranceQuoteHQ.com
This is the best website on the Internet for getting no-cost insurance quotes for any kind of insurance imaginable.
How can I say that?
Simple. No one else in the insurance quote business can do for you what I can do.
To receive your Ebook copy of my hot-selling 220-page book, click on “Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” and leave your name and email address. We will instantly send you an email reply confirming your request, and a page with your link where you can download your copy of the Ebook.
What’s in it for Russ Longcore?
When you give me your email address, I will send you a confirmation email to make absolutely certain that you have requested the book. Once you confirm the email, we send you a link where you can download the book. We do not send spam to anyone. And, when you are a part of my email membership, you may unsubscribe at any time for any reason or for no reason at all. We never share our email list with anyone, ever.
As a member of my email list, you will receive emails from me that will offer you terrific information, a regular newsletter about insurance and money, interesting offers and terrific value. My strategies can save you thousands of dollars!
When you use my insurance quote service, I earn a commission, even though you have not spent one single cent. How does that work?
Most successful insurance agents are using some type of prospecting service, in which special companies provide the agents with lists of people (prospects) that have requested rate quotes. These prospects are called “leads.”
Whenever a person goes to my website, completes the easy quote request form and submits it, the lead company pays me a small commission. Then the agents of top companies compete for your business.
You, the “prospect,” pay nothing. Quotes are free. It’s the agent or insurance company that are paying for the leads and paying my commission.
So, the more leads I send them, the more commission I earn. Simple as that.
Don’t Be Misled By Internet Ad Copy
The Internet has made it very easy to get the most competitive rate quotes for all kinds of insurance. And, naturally, it makes sense to shop for the best rates combined with the best coverage, which makes the best insurance value.
There are hundreds of websites where you can get insurance quotes. Some of them are good, some not so good. I have visited scores of these websites, and I noticed a common flaw.
They don’t think like a claims adjuster. They think like sales people.
The other quote websites seem to be all about the lowest cost insurance quotes. Now, don’t get me wrong. I like low prices as much as the next guy.
But, isn’t there usually a difference between lowest price and best value?
Insurance is a service, not really a product. So, great customer service should be near the top of your list of benefits for buying insurance.
But don’t be fixated on great customer service when you’re BUYING your policy. That will only give you a false sense of security.
You should be MOSTLY concerned with the service you get when you have a loss. After all, insurance is all about keeping promises.
You see, friends, it’s not good enough just to get a great low premium on your insurance policy. When you buy an insurance policy, all you have is a bunch of pages stapled together with writing on them.
Your policy ONLY comes to life when you have a loss and submit a claim.
You enter into a contract with the insurance company. You promise certain things, like paying your premium. They promise to pay your claim if your loss is covered.
Every insurance policy will have a section that tells you what you must do when you have a loss and want to file a claim. But, the policy NEVER tells you about the “claims process.”
The “devil is in the details” of the claims process. The insurance companies all rely on the fact that their policyholders don’t know the claims process. That lack of knowledge helps the insurance companies hold down claim settlement amounts. That increases their profits...but at your expense.
So, What Can You Do To Win?
You MUST become more “claims-conscious” than price-conscious.
Saving a few hundred dollars in premiums is great, but it won’t change your life. However, your life could be permanently altered if you have a big claim and don’t collect every dollar you are entitled to collect. Or, not having enough insurance could ruin your finances forever if you are sued in a liability issue.
So FIRST, let me help you become claims-conscious! When you read my book, you’ll become familiar with the claims process and the super-valuable strategies that help YOU take control of your insurance claims.
Then go ahead and confidently get the best insurance quote and lowest price on your insurance...at NO COST TO YOU!
I recommend a four-step strategy:
1. Get a free copy of my book at “Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” to get the strategies you’ll need to add hundreds or even thousands more dollars to your claim settlements. You’ll also learn crucial things you should do to protect yourself BEFORE you have a claim.
2. While you are reading the book, go to: www.InsuranceQuoteHQ.com and fill out the simple form so that we can get you the quotes you need. This service is also without cost or obligation. Not a penny do you spend!
3. Compare the insurance quotes carefully and make sure that the quotes have the same coverage.
4. Buy the coverage you need at the most competitive rates.
CHECK OUT THIS AMAZING LIMITED-TIME SPECIAL OFFER!!
Between today and midnight ET, June 30, 2009, I’m going to make the book “Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” available to anyone and everyone with a valid email address and an Internet connection. I’m giving a FREE Ebook copy of the NUMBER ONE BOOK IN THE WORLD about insurance claims to anyone who gives me their valid email address!
Then, if you agree with me that shopping for the best rate on the insurance you need makes total good sense, go to www.InsuranceQuoteHQ.com and click through and get a FREE QUOTE! But if you don’t agree with me, and don’t use my website to get your insurance quotes, you still get the f*ree copy of my Ebook...a $29.97 value!
Just LOOK at the vast array of insurance policies we quote:
• Auto
• Home
• Renters
• Term Life
• Pet Insurance
• Health
• Disability
• Long Term Care (LTC)
• Cancer
• Burial
• Annuity
• Business
• General Liability
• Commercial Auto
• Commercial Property
• Professional Liability (E&O)
• Business Owners Package Policy (BOP)
• Workers Compensation
• Commercial Crime
• Group Health Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• 401K/Retirement Plans
• Supplemental Plans/AFLAC
• Keyman Life Insurance
• Keyman Disability Insurance
• Deferred Compensation
• UK and European Quotes Coming Very Soon
• And the list just keeps growing every week!
Your quotes will come from the top insurers in America today. And when you make a quote request, you’ll get quotes from multiple companies so you can truly compare rates and find your best deal.
SAVINGS ALERT!!
I used this exact quote service in April, and got quotes from eight different companies. I switched insurance companies for my Auto and Homeowners policies and saved $590.00 per year! I was shocked at that kind of savings, since I watch my premiums very closely from year to year. My new policies also have better coverage than I had before.
Could YOU get that kind of savings? You’ll never know until you get the quotes!
By making this stunning book offer, I am showing my trust in you. I am sowing good seeds in good ground, and I expect a good harvest. I’m betting that the majority of people who receive a free copy of the book will use my insurance quote service to get the best insurance rates possible. It only makes common sense.
So, I’m not giving you a gift AFTER you make an insurance quote request. That is an “incentive”offer in which you are forced to make a quote request to get the book.
I’m not playing that game.
I’m giving you a no-obligation gift of my book. I’m confident that you’ll see the value that I’m giving you. I’m also confident that, because of that value, you will trust me to get you the best insurance quotes available. But you get the gift whether you make a quote request or not.
To receive your Ebook copy of my hot-selling 220-page book, click on “Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” and leave your email address. We will instantly send you an email reply to confirm your request, and a page with your link where you can download your copy of the Ebook.
Friends Don’t Let Friends Get
Ripped Off By Insurance Companies
When you get your copy of the book, why not tell everyone you know how to get a free copy? There’s no downside, only upside. They will get a book that could help them collect thousands more dollars (or Euros, or Pounds, or Pesos, or Bhats, or Yen, or Rupees) in their claims settlements. Your friends will thank you for referring them to this free book offer. They will especially thank you if they ever have an insurance claim!! Then, if they save some money on their insurance premiums, they will REALLY be glad you are their friend!
If you have an email list for your business, send this offer to your list.
Pay It Forward, folks. Pay It Forward. Do good for others and it will return to you.
Send this amazing offer to everyone in your Address book. Don’t leave anyone out. Put this offer on your Facebook page. Twitter a link to this page.
No other insurance quote website in the world can offer you this winning formula for maximizing your insurance claim settlements AND getting the best insurance rates! No matter if your claim is a homeowners, renters, auto, business, etc...THESE STRATEGIES WORK EVERY TIME!
Don’t wait another day! Click Here NOW for your free book!
Thanks for your business!
Russell D. Longcore, Author and owner
www.InsuranceQuoteHQ.com
www.InsuranceSecrets.com
www.WebMarketingHQ.com
www.SuperArticleDirectory.com
P.S. I just completed the manuscript for another book. This one is dedicated to claims strategies for businesses and commercial entities. The book’s title is “Commercial Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” . This new book will be available by September 1, 2009 worldwide at $49.97. Watch for it...I might give this book away, too!
Former insurance adjuster shares valuable strategies so you don't get ripped off by your insurance company!
For a limited time, get your copy of his book at no cost or obligation!
FROM: Russell D. Longcore
Dear Friends-
Frankly, I am exhausted.
Selling books is hard work. I think that giving books away might be easier.
Wouldn’t you agree?
From now until midnight ET, June 30, 2009, I’m going to give you a free copy of my hot-selling 220-page book “Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” No strings attached...no cost...no obligation. This is a $29.97 value, given to you at no cost whatsoever.
I’ll also give a copy of the book to anyone on planet Earth that you tell about the offer.
Pay It Forward, folks. Pay It Forward. Do good for others and it will return to you.
I accept 100% of the risk. You have 0% risk and you do not spend even one cent.
So please keep reading for all the details!
After many years as an insurance claims adjuster, I had seen insurance companies delay, defend and deny insurance claims. I wanted to help policyholders maximize their insurance claims, not stand by and watch the insurance companies cheat their own policyholders. The more I wrote, the more the book became an insider’s “tell-all” expose´that benefits anyone with an insurance policy.
I knew that the insurance companies will NEVER reveal the TRUE claims process. Why would they? If they tell you ways that you can collect more money in your claim, they make less profit. And, if you have questions about the claims process, who are you going to ask? Most people will ask the insurance company, who controls the claims process. It’s great for the insurance company, but terrible for you.
Most people I’ve ever talked to don’t know the first thing about how to handle an insurance claim. That puts them...YOU...entirely at the mercy of the insurance company and the insurance adjuster.
Many times, people who have had a loss are on the raw edge of emotion. Isn’t is natural to be fearful in a situation where you don’t feel you’re in control…where you don’t know what will happen next, and you’re scared you’ll be “ripped off?” Most everyone has heard a story from a relative or friend about an insurance claim that went badly.
People like that need solid advice and a strategy on what to do to get their claim paid IN FULL.
They need to understand the claims process completely so that they are not at the mercy of the insurance company, the claims adjuster and the claims examiner.
They need to be paid every dollar that they are entitled to collect.
They need to have peace of mind knowing that their claim was handled correctly.
So I wrote a book. I guess I struck a responsive chord with policyholders.
I wrote the book “Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” (ICSR) and released it in June of 2007. By October of 2007, the book had rocketed to NUMBER ONE in two search categories at Amazon.com, the world’s largest bookseller. The book has STAYED NUMBER ONE continuously ever since!
Even if you enter the most general keyword possible, “insurance,” into the Search box, Amazon will show you over 350,000 books. ICSR is ALWAYS in the top 100, and its highest daily ranking was #21 back in April 2009.
ICSR has sold all over the world at $29.97. I’ve sold it on every continent. Policyholders from America to England to Ireland to Singapore to Thailand have bought this book and used my strategies to collect more money in their insurance claims.
In this book, you will learn:
• The games and scams insurance companies use to cut costs and keep claim payments at the lowest amounts possible
• When it's the right time to use an attorney
• How you can take control of your claim, and not allow the insurance company or claims adjuster to control YOU
• What a Public Adjuster is, and the valuable help you can get from them
• That the insurance adjuster is NOT there to help you
• How to handle insurance adjusters and get paid all you are entitled to collect
• and much more
You will learn:
• What to do when you have a car accident...BEFORE you open the car door or talk to anyone. This one strategy could save you hundreds of thousands of $$$
• How much MORE money I collected (thousands!) in the two little claims I had while writing this book, and how you can do the same things I did
• About Diminished Value on automobiles, and how it can cost you THOUSANDS if you don't fight
• About cheap aftermarket auto parts that insurance companies LOVE, but leave you less safe
• How insurance companies use depreciation to cheat their policyholders, and how to fight back and WIN
• What you MUST do after a loss like a hurricane, flood or fire
• And so much more
Get this book before something bad happens to you!
Get this book after something bad happens to you to keep it from getting worse!
Here is what our readers have said about this book!
“Thanks for writing your book. It explains things so the rest of us can understand.”
Dawn A., Houston, TX
* * * *
“I was really glad when I came across your book. I wish we had come across it sooner. Thank you for writing a book and making yourself available for questions.”
Marie R., Warren, NJ
* * * *
“Hey Russ,
Great book! I am sure I will give your books away as gifts too...”
Andy S., Westminster, MA
* * * *
“I heard the DJ on the local radio station talking about Russell's book, so I immediately downloaded it when I got to work. It has been a great help to me. Not only does it talk about vehicle accidents but property damage and more, as well. I would recommend anyone dealing with an insurance company to buy this book. Well worth the knowledge you gain to determine if the insurance company is treating you fairly. Knowledge is power when dealing with insurance companies.”
Lisa W., Winston, GA
* * * *
“Russell D. Longcore deals with this head-on, and in terms that you and I can easily understand. His honest, direct, straight-forward approach is excellent.
It's not a question of "if" you're going to need to know and understand the facts about which Longcore writes in this book - but "when." Longcore addresses those things which the insurance industry would just as soon you never knew, and certainly won't tell you, until after-the-fact. Based on personal experience, I hope it's not too late for you.
If you're considering the purchase of a new policy, or are about to renew a policy - regardless of the type - READ THIS BOOK FIRST.
INSURANCE CLAIM SECRETS REVEALED! is a book deserving of a FIVE STAR rating, because it will guide you in your thought process, and protect you in ways that you've never suspected, nor imagined. Pass it up at your own peril.”
Sanders H., Atlanta, GA
* * * *
“At the end of Feb. 2008 a tornado went through our neighborhood. Fortunately the damage we sustained was inconvenient damage. We had several trees down, one unfortunately hit the back of our car, and lots of debris, and the top of our neighbor's pine tree was dropped onto our roof. We called our insurance agent to report and started the clean-up. The weekend after the storm I was listening to the radio and heard Russell Longcore being interview by Ilyce Glink. I was so impressed, I immediately got online to his website and bought the E-book. It downloaded right away and I started to read. Fortunately our house is now back together and we are only out of pocket the amount of our deductible. There is so much information in this book and it's easy to read and understand. No one should be without it.”
Dee K, Atlanta, GA
* * * * * * * *
Bookselling is tough.
I published this book myself instead of going begging for a publisher. I’m OK with that, but when you self-publish, you also assume the role of Marketing Director.
Don’t believe the hype that you can write a popular book and the money just rolls in. Hundreds of thousands of book titles are published each year. Most authors who write a book, no matter what kind of book, never sell 1,000 copies...EVER! The big mega-selling books are so scarce it’s ridiculous. No wonder publishers are going out of business at record numbers.
Selling books is exhilarating, though. You can’t imagine how rewarding it is to have readers tell stories of how my strategies have helped them collect all the money they were entitled to collect! I’ve been blessed to change lives the world over!
But What’s In It For YOU?
Simple. I want to give YOU a copy of my book as a marketing experiment to jump-start my other business.
I’ve found that another very effective use for ICSR is to give them as a business introduction gift. I use the books to introduce my business to others. I give such a large amount of value UP FRONT to prospective customers that they will do business with ME, rather than my competitors. Everybody wins.
My other business is “Insurance Quote HQ.” The website address is: www.InsuranceQuoteHQ.com
This is the best website on the Internet for getting no-cost insurance quotes for any kind of insurance imaginable.
How can I say that?
Simple. No one else in the insurance quote business can do for you what I can do.
To receive your Ebook copy of my hot-selling 220-page book, click on “Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” and leave your name and email address. We will instantly send you an email reply confirming your request, and a page with your link where you can download your copy of the Ebook.
What’s in it for Russ Longcore?
When you give me your email address, I will send you a confirmation email to make absolutely certain that you have requested the book. Once you confirm the email, we send you a link where you can download the book. We do not send spam to anyone. And, when you are a part of my email membership, you may unsubscribe at any time for any reason or for no reason at all. We never share our email list with anyone, ever.
As a member of my email list, you will receive emails from me that will offer you terrific information, a regular newsletter about insurance and money, interesting offers and terrific value. My strategies can save you thousands of dollars!
When you use my insurance quote service, I earn a commission, even though you have not spent one single cent. How does that work?
Most successful insurance agents are using some type of prospecting service, in which special companies provide the agents with lists of people (prospects) that have requested rate quotes. These prospects are called “leads.”
Whenever a person goes to my website, completes the easy quote request form and submits it, the lead company pays me a small commission. Then the agents of top companies compete for your business.
You, the “prospect,” pay nothing. Quotes are free. It’s the agent or insurance company that are paying for the leads and paying my commission.
So, the more leads I send them, the more commission I earn. Simple as that.
Don’t Be Misled By Internet Ad Copy
The Internet has made it very easy to get the most competitive rate quotes for all kinds of insurance. And, naturally, it makes sense to shop for the best rates combined with the best coverage, which makes the best insurance value.
There are hundreds of websites where you can get insurance quotes. Some of them are good, some not so good. I have visited scores of these websites, and I noticed a common flaw.
They don’t think like a claims adjuster. They think like sales people.
The other quote websites seem to be all about the lowest cost insurance quotes. Now, don’t get me wrong. I like low prices as much as the next guy.
But, isn’t there usually a difference between lowest price and best value?
Insurance is a service, not really a product. So, great customer service should be near the top of your list of benefits for buying insurance.
But don’t be fixated on great customer service when you’re BUYING your policy. That will only give you a false sense of security.
You should be MOSTLY concerned with the service you get when you have a loss. After all, insurance is all about keeping promises.
You see, friends, it’s not good enough just to get a great low premium on your insurance policy. When you buy an insurance policy, all you have is a bunch of pages stapled together with writing on them.
Your policy ONLY comes to life when you have a loss and submit a claim.
You enter into a contract with the insurance company. You promise certain things, like paying your premium. They promise to pay your claim if your loss is covered.
Every insurance policy will have a section that tells you what you must do when you have a loss and want to file a claim. But, the policy NEVER tells you about the “claims process.”
The “devil is in the details” of the claims process. The insurance companies all rely on the fact that their policyholders don’t know the claims process. That lack of knowledge helps the insurance companies hold down claim settlement amounts. That increases their profits...but at your expense.
So, What Can You Do To Win?
You MUST become more “claims-conscious” than price-conscious.
Saving a few hundred dollars in premiums is great, but it won’t change your life. However, your life could be permanently altered if you have a big claim and don’t collect every dollar you are entitled to collect. Or, not having enough insurance could ruin your finances forever if you are sued in a liability issue.
So FIRST, let me help you become claims-conscious! When you read my book, you’ll become familiar with the claims process and the super-valuable strategies that help YOU take control of your insurance claims.
Then go ahead and confidently get the best insurance quote and lowest price on your insurance...at NO COST TO YOU!
I recommend a four-step strategy:
1. Get a free copy of my book at “Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” to get the strategies you’ll need to add hundreds or even thousands more dollars to your claim settlements. You’ll also learn crucial things you should do to protect yourself BEFORE you have a claim.
2. While you are reading the book, go to: www.InsuranceQuoteHQ.com and fill out the simple form so that we can get you the quotes you need. This service is also without cost or obligation. Not a penny do you spend!
3. Compare the insurance quotes carefully and make sure that the quotes have the same coverage.
4. Buy the coverage you need at the most competitive rates.
CHECK OUT THIS AMAZING LIMITED-TIME SPECIAL OFFER!!
Between today and midnight ET, June 30, 2009, I’m going to make the book “Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” available to anyone and everyone with a valid email address and an Internet connection. I’m giving a FREE Ebook copy of the NUMBER ONE BOOK IN THE WORLD about insurance claims to anyone who gives me their valid email address!
Then, if you agree with me that shopping for the best rate on the insurance you need makes total good sense, go to www.InsuranceQuoteHQ.com and click through and get a FREE QUOTE! But if you don’t agree with me, and don’t use my website to get your insurance quotes, you still get the f*ree copy of my Ebook...a $29.97 value!
Just LOOK at the vast array of insurance policies we quote:
• Auto
• Home
• Renters
• Term Life
• Pet Insurance
• Health
• Disability
• Long Term Care (LTC)
• Cancer
• Burial
• Annuity
• Business
• General Liability
• Commercial Auto
• Commercial Property
• Professional Liability (E&O)
• Business Owners Package Policy (BOP)
• Workers Compensation
• Commercial Crime
• Group Health Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• 401K/Retirement Plans
• Supplemental Plans/AFLAC
• Keyman Life Insurance
• Keyman Disability Insurance
• Deferred Compensation
• UK and European Quotes Coming Very Soon
• And the list just keeps growing every week!
Your quotes will come from the top insurers in America today. And when you make a quote request, you’ll get quotes from multiple companies so you can truly compare rates and find your best deal.
SAVINGS ALERT!!
I used this exact quote service in April, and got quotes from eight different companies. I switched insurance companies for my Auto and Homeowners policies and saved $590.00 per year! I was shocked at that kind of savings, since I watch my premiums very closely from year to year. My new policies also have better coverage than I had before.
Could YOU get that kind of savings? You’ll never know until you get the quotes!
By making this stunning book offer, I am showing my trust in you. I am sowing good seeds in good ground, and I expect a good harvest. I’m betting that the majority of people who receive a free copy of the book will use my insurance quote service to get the best insurance rates possible. It only makes common sense.
So, I’m not giving you a gift AFTER you make an insurance quote request. That is an “incentive”offer in which you are forced to make a quote request to get the book.
I’m not playing that game.
I’m giving you a no-obligation gift of my book. I’m confident that you’ll see the value that I’m giving you. I’m also confident that, because of that value, you will trust me to get you the best insurance quotes available. But you get the gift whether you make a quote request or not.
To receive your Ebook copy of my hot-selling 220-page book, click on “Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” and leave your email address. We will instantly send you an email reply to confirm your request, and a page with your link where you can download your copy of the Ebook.
Friends Don’t Let Friends Get
Ripped Off By Insurance Companies
When you get your copy of the book, why not tell everyone you know how to get a free copy? There’s no downside, only upside. They will get a book that could help them collect thousands more dollars (or Euros, or Pounds, or Pesos, or Bhats, or Yen, or Rupees) in their claims settlements. Your friends will thank you for referring them to this free book offer. They will especially thank you if they ever have an insurance claim!! Then, if they save some money on their insurance premiums, they will REALLY be glad you are their friend!
If you have an email list for your business, send this offer to your list.
Pay It Forward, folks. Pay It Forward. Do good for others and it will return to you.
Send this amazing offer to everyone in your Address book. Don’t leave anyone out. Put this offer on your Facebook page. Twitter a link to this page.
No other insurance quote website in the world can offer you this winning formula for maximizing your insurance claim settlements AND getting the best insurance rates! No matter if your claim is a homeowners, renters, auto, business, etc...THESE STRATEGIES WORK EVERY TIME!
Don’t wait another day! Click Here NOW for your free book!
Thanks for your business!
Russell D. Longcore, Author and owner
www.InsuranceQuoteHQ.com
www.InsuranceSecrets.com
www.WebMarketingHQ.com
www.SuperArticleDirectory.com
P.S. I just completed the manuscript for another book. This one is dedicated to claims strategies for businesses and commercial entities. The book’s title is “Commercial Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!” . This new book will be available by September 1, 2009 worldwide at $49.97. Watch for it...I might give this book away, too!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Auto Insurance: Is “Pay-As-You-Drive” The Next Big Thing?
Do you own a car and drive very little? Perhaps your situation is like this:
• You are elderly and only drive to and from the market.
• You live and work in a small town, or work close to your home.
• You travel a lot, and your car is parked at home for days or weeks at a time.
• You are in the military, and deployed outside the US for many months at a time.
• You own a pickup truck that you only use on weekends to run errands. (that’s me)
“Pay-As-You-Drive” (PAYD) is the concept of linking the amount you pay for auto insurance to the number of miles you drive each year. The more you drive, the more you pay. The less you drive, the less you would pay.
Drivers would gain the most savings from Liability and Collision coverage. If a person carried Comprehensive insurance (fire, theft, glass breakage, etc.) on their vehicle, that likely would not change much. A car doesn’t have to be moving for there to be damages under Comprehensive coverage.
There are various ways that insurers would verify mileage under a PAYD program. Some would use GPS tracking systems that automatically tabulate and report mileage. Some use odometer checks or maintenance records.
The concept is becoming more popular in many states. Some insurers are already offering PAYD discount programs in most states. For example, Progressive Insurance and GMAC Insurance presently offer PAYD policies. Progressive ties mileage verification to GPS, and GMAC uses the OnStar system built into many GM automobiles.
PAYD has gained a strong foothold in Europe, with insurers from the UK to Italy offering the program.
Giving people a financial reward for driving less is good ecological and social policy. As with any new program, the devil is in the details, but it is very clear that the “pros” far outweigh the “cons.”
Issues relating to the “Pay-As-You-Drive” concept include:
1. Insurers must give appropriate discounts
2. Discounts must be high enough to motivate people to drive less
3. Miles driven must be monitored without violating people’s privacy
The Brookings Institute issued a report in July 2008 that estimates that the universal adoption of pay-as-you-drive plans would lead to a savings of $270 per vehicle for two-thirds of American households.
Would an annual savings of $270 be a sufficient incentive for the average American to switch to PAYD insurance? The jury is still out.
Check with your insurance company to see if they presently offer PAYD coverage. Or, check with your insurance agent to see if he writes PAYD coverage. You could save some bucks!
• You are elderly and only drive to and from the market.
• You live and work in a small town, or work close to your home.
• You travel a lot, and your car is parked at home for days or weeks at a time.
• You are in the military, and deployed outside the US for many months at a time.
• You own a pickup truck that you only use on weekends to run errands. (that’s me)
“Pay-As-You-Drive” (PAYD) is the concept of linking the amount you pay for auto insurance to the number of miles you drive each year. The more you drive, the more you pay. The less you drive, the less you would pay.
Drivers would gain the most savings from Liability and Collision coverage. If a person carried Comprehensive insurance (fire, theft, glass breakage, etc.) on their vehicle, that likely would not change much. A car doesn’t have to be moving for there to be damages under Comprehensive coverage.
There are various ways that insurers would verify mileage under a PAYD program. Some would use GPS tracking systems that automatically tabulate and report mileage. Some use odometer checks or maintenance records.
The concept is becoming more popular in many states. Some insurers are already offering PAYD discount programs in most states. For example, Progressive Insurance and GMAC Insurance presently offer PAYD policies. Progressive ties mileage verification to GPS, and GMAC uses the OnStar system built into many GM automobiles.
PAYD has gained a strong foothold in Europe, with insurers from the UK to Italy offering the program.
Giving people a financial reward for driving less is good ecological and social policy. As with any new program, the devil is in the details, but it is very clear that the “pros” far outweigh the “cons.”
Issues relating to the “Pay-As-You-Drive” concept include:
1. Insurers must give appropriate discounts
2. Discounts must be high enough to motivate people to drive less
3. Miles driven must be monitored without violating people’s privacy
The Brookings Institute issued a report in July 2008 that estimates that the universal adoption of pay-as-you-drive plans would lead to a savings of $270 per vehicle for two-thirds of American households.
Would an annual savings of $270 be a sufficient incentive for the average American to switch to PAYD insurance? The jury is still out.
Check with your insurance company to see if they presently offer PAYD coverage. Or, check with your insurance agent to see if he writes PAYD coverage. You could save some bucks!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Worst Insurance Companies: The Top Ten Worst Insurance Companies in America
In 2008, the American Association for Justice released a 29-page report entitled “The Ten Worst Insurance Companies In America.” The report was the result of a comprehensive investigation of a blizzard of court documents, FBI records, state insurance department complaints and investigations, news stories from around the nation, and testimony and depositions from former insurance agents and adjusters. The final list includes companies that insure cars, homes, disability, health and life.
One thing that the report shows is that Allstate, State Farm and Liberty Mutual all hired famous management consultant McKinsey and Company to study how they could be more profitable. McKinsey came back with a strategy known as “The Three Ds...Deny, Delay and Defend.” All three companies have used this strategy aggressively to boost profits for their shareholders.
To read the report, go to: http://www.justice.org/docs/tenworstinsurancecompanies.pdf
The list is as follows:
10. Liberty Mutual
Not only has Liberty Mutual pulled out of Coastal states like Florida and Louisiana, but also Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland and big parts of New York.
9. Torchmark
A variety of company subsidiaries sell burial insurance, cancer insurance, and life insurance. The company has been accused of selling minority customers higher priced products than white customers. Its sales tactics have attracted frequent lawsuits from regulators and policyholders.
8. United Health
This health insurer has a reputation for health care reimbursement rates that are so low and so delayed that doctors report patient health is at risk.
7. Farmers
Owned by Swiss insurance giant Zurich Insurance, Farmers is consistently near the bottom of homeowners and auto satisfaction surveys conducted by JD Power and Consumer Reports. As an example of their “profits over people” attitude, note that after the 1994 Northridge CA earthquake, Farmers instituted an employee program called “Bring Back a Billion.” This was an effort to save the company a billion dollars in claims settlements.
6. Wellpoint
Wellpoint is the nation’s largest health insurer, covering over 28 million people. They have been found to routinely cancel policies on pregnant women and chronically ill patients. In 2007, the California Department of Insurance assessed a $12.6 million fine against Wellpoint for “serious violations” in their claims procedures. Wellpoint was also sued by 800,000 doctors for underpaying claims.
5. Conseco
Long-term care insurance is Conseco’s forte. And that usually affects the elderly most. Conseco takes advantage of the calendar, knowing that if it waits long enough, many policyholders submitting claims will die before their claim is paid.
4. State Farm
The largest property casualty insurer in America, who has a long reputation for delaying and denying claims. State Farm has recently announced that it has pulled out of the Mississippi and Florida markets entirely. In 1999, after a giant Oklahoma tornado event, homeowners file a class action lawsuit against State Farm, alleging that the insurer widely undervalued homes. The jury ruled that State Farm had acted “recklessly” and “with malice” toward its own policyholders. And don’t get me started on how State Farm acted after Katrina.
3. AIG
The world’s largest insurer has had massive financial problems of late, with the Congress negotiating a Federal bailout of the insurer in Fall 2008. But besides that, AIG has developed a reputation over the years as a company that fights claims aggressively.
2. UNUM
This Chattanooga, TN based company is one of the nation’s leaders in disability insurance. UNUM has a long reputation for delaying and denying claims. If you want to read an infuriating book about this subject, read “Insult to Injury,” by Ray Bourhis. The author is an attorney that took on UNUM in court. UNUM is regularly the target of insurance department and media investigations for their claims handling tactics.
And...drumroll please...the AAJ choice for number one worst insurance company in America is....
1. ALLSTATE
The AAJ stated that the “good hands” of Allstate should be shown inside boxing gloves. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), complaints filed against Allstate were greater in number than most all of its major competitors. After Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana Department of Insurance received over 1,200 complaints against Allstate, which is more than any other company. State Farm had over 700 complaints, and State Farm has the biggest share of the homeowners insurance market in Louisiana. Allstate embraces the McKinsey philosophy, “Delay, Deny and Defend.”
Allstate’s CEO Thomas Wilson summed up the strategies of all the companies when he said, “Our obligation is to earn a return for our shareholders.”
In 2008, the American Association for Justice released a 29-page report entitled “The Ten Worst Insurance Companies In America.” The report was the result of a comprehensive investigation of a blizzard of court documents, FBI records, state insurance department complaints and investigations, news stories from around the nation, and testimony and depositions from former insurance agents and adjusters. The final list includes companies that insure cars, homes, disability, health and life.
One thing that the report shows is that Allstate, State Farm and Liberty Mutual all hired famous management consultant McKinsey and Company to study how they could be more profitable. McKinsey came back with a strategy known as “The Three Ds...Deny, Delay and Defend.” All three companies have used this strategy aggressively to boost profits for their shareholders.
To read the report, go to: http://www.justice.org/docs/tenworstinsurancecompanies.pdf
The list is as follows:
10. Liberty Mutual
Not only has Liberty Mutual pulled out of Coastal states like Florida and Louisiana, but also Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland and big parts of New York.
9. Torchmark
A variety of company subsidiaries sell burial insurance, cancer insurance, and life insurance. The company has been accused of selling minority customers higher priced products than white customers. Its sales tactics have attracted frequent lawsuits from regulators and policyholders.
8. United Health
This health insurer has a reputation for health care reimbursement rates that are so low and so delayed that doctors report patient health is at risk.
7. Farmers
Owned by Swiss insurance giant Zurich Insurance, Farmers is consistently near the bottom of homeowners and auto satisfaction surveys conducted by JD Power and Consumer Reports. As an example of their “profits over people” attitude, note that after the 1994 Northridge CA earthquake, Farmers instituted an employee program called “Bring Back a Billion.” This was an effort to save the company a billion dollars in claims settlements.
6. Wellpoint
Wellpoint is the nation’s largest health insurer, covering over 28 million people. They have been found to routinely cancel policies on pregnant women and chronically ill patients. In 2007, the California Department of Insurance assessed a $12.6 million fine against Wellpoint for “serious violations” in their claims procedures. Wellpoint was also sued by 800,000 doctors for underpaying claims.
5. Conseco
Long-term care insurance is Conseco’s forte. And that usually affects the elderly most. Conseco takes advantage of the calendar, knowing that if it waits long enough, many policyholders submitting claims will die before their claim is paid.
4. State Farm
The largest property casualty insurer in America, who has a long reputation for delaying and denying claims. State Farm has recently announced that it has pulled out of the Mississippi and Florida markets entirely. In 1999, after a giant Oklahoma tornado event, homeowners file a class action lawsuit against State Farm, alleging that the insurer widely undervalued homes. The jury ruled that State Farm had acted “recklessly” and “with malice” toward its own policyholders. And don’t get me started on how State Farm acted after Katrina.
3. AIG
The world’s largest insurer has had massive financial problems of late, with the Congress negotiating a Federal bailout of the insurer in Fall 2008. But besides that, AIG has developed a reputation over the years as a company that fights claims aggressively.
2. UNUM
This Chattanooga, TN based company is one of the nation’s leaders in disability insurance. UNUM has a long reputation for delaying and denying claims. If you want to read an infuriating book about this subject, read “Insult to Injury,” by Ray Bourhis. The author is an attorney that took on UNUM in court. UNUM is regularly the target of insurance department and media investigations for their claims handling tactics.
And...drumroll please...the AAJ choice for number one worst insurance company in America is....
1. ALLSTATE
The AAJ stated that the “good hands” of Allstate should be shown inside boxing gloves. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), complaints filed against Allstate were greater in number than most all of its major competitors. After Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana Department of Insurance received over 1,200 complaints against Allstate, which is more than any other company. State Farm had over 700 complaints, and State Farm has the biggest share of the homeowners insurance market in Louisiana. Allstate embraces the McKinsey philosophy, “Delay, Deny and Defend.”
Allstate’s CEO Thomas Wilson summed up the strategies of all the companies when he said, “Our obligation is to earn a return for our shareholders.”
Saturday, July 12, 2008
What Will Your Insurance Policy Pay If You Break a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb?
Everybody's singing the praises of the new compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). And for good reason...they save tons of electricity.
But what happens if one breaks inside your house or business?
My opinion is that most people will simply sweep up the mess and not give it much thought. But there is a BIG, dangerous component in a bulb called Mercury, and mercury is one of the most toxic substances known to man.
If you break a CFL bulb, you'll likely find that the proper cleanup could be very costly. And you'll likely find that there is NO COVERAGE in your property insurance policy. Most policies have environmental cleanup exclusions. Even if your home is damaged by a tornado, hurricane or fire, the broken bulbs could cause you to incur thousands of dollars in environmental cleanup costs that your insurance policy will EXCLUDE.
Because CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:(1)
1. Before Clean-up: Ventilate the Room
* Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
* Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
* Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
2. Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces
* Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
* Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
* Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
* Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
3. Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug:
* Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
* Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
* If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
* Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding, etc.:
* If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be discarded. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
* You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you happened to be wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
* If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.
5. Disposal of Clean-up Materials
* Immediately place all cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
* Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
* Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.
6. Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Ventilate the Room During and After Vacuuming
* The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
* Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.
Man, they are serious, aren't they?
(1) Environmental Protection Agency, www.energystar.com
But what happens if one breaks inside your house or business?
My opinion is that most people will simply sweep up the mess and not give it much thought. But there is a BIG, dangerous component in a bulb called Mercury, and mercury is one of the most toxic substances known to man.
If you break a CFL bulb, you'll likely find that the proper cleanup could be very costly. And you'll likely find that there is NO COVERAGE in your property insurance policy. Most policies have environmental cleanup exclusions. Even if your home is damaged by a tornado, hurricane or fire, the broken bulbs could cause you to incur thousands of dollars in environmental cleanup costs that your insurance policy will EXCLUDE.
Because CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:(1)
1. Before Clean-up: Ventilate the Room
* Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
* Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
* Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
2. Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces
* Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
* Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
* Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
* Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
3. Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug:
* Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
* Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
* If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
* Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding, etc.:
* If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be discarded. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
* You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you happened to be wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
* If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.
5. Disposal of Clean-up Materials
* Immediately place all cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
* Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
* Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.
6. Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Ventilate the Room During and After Vacuuming
* The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
* Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.
Man, they are serious, aren't they?
(1) Environmental Protection Agency, www.energystar.com
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Wildfire Victims and Their Contents Claims!
CONTENTS, or UNSCHEDULED PERSONAL PROPERTY
Picture a homeowner couple in Southern California. They had a home in a wooded area, and wildfires began. The local Fire Department came to their home and required that they evacuate because the winds shifted and the fire was coming straight for their home. They gather up their most valuable possessions and leave their home. Three days later, they return to find a smouldering pile of ashes...a total loss.
This article is about the Contents portion of the claim. The insurance company will not just write you a check for the policy limits in your Homeowners policy. You're going to have to prove your loss.
The insurance company adjuster MIGHT give you an inventory form to fill out. They might not. But, they ARE going to expect you to submit a complete, accurate inventory list.
I hope that you videotaped all of the interior of your home PRIOR to the loss, and have secured that videotape in a safe deposit box off-site. Then, you could view the tape and write out the inventory.
But let's just assume that all you have is ashes. What to do next?
Get a copy of a JC Penney catalog. Better, get two...one Fall/Winter, one Spring/Summer. Get your hands on as many other catalogs as you can find. As you look at the pages of the catalogs, you'll remember the things that you had in your home. You will find hundreds or thousands of dollars in personal property that you likely would not have remembered owning. Not only will you remember dozens and dozens of items, but you'll have a retail price from a reputable retailer right at your fingertips.
Please don't misunderstand what I'm telling you to do here. I'm NOT telling you to write down items on your inventory list that you did not own. That's fraud, and you can go to jail for fraud. I'm simply showing you a way to remind yourself of things long ago purchased, and possibly stored and forgotten. For example, how many parents bought a vaporizer to run in their childrens' rooms at night when the children were sick? That vaporizer might not have been used in years, but you owned it, and you have a right to collect for it under the terms of your policy.
Write down EVERYTHING. Your inventory list will likely take dozens of pages. Remember to show (1) replacement cost, (2) age of the item, (3) Price paid.
When I say "write down EVERYTHING," I mean it. Thumbtacks, Q tips, makeup, bobby pins, tools, extension cords, light bulbs....if you owned it, record it.
You can be certain that the personal property you DO NOT INVENTORY will NOT be paid for.
Next article will discuss what happens next, when the adjuster begins to apply depreciation to your Contents Inventory. How can you win this fight?
Picture a homeowner couple in Southern California. They had a home in a wooded area, and wildfires began. The local Fire Department came to their home and required that they evacuate because the winds shifted and the fire was coming straight for their home. They gather up their most valuable possessions and leave their home. Three days later, they return to find a smouldering pile of ashes...a total loss.
This article is about the Contents portion of the claim. The insurance company will not just write you a check for the policy limits in your Homeowners policy. You're going to have to prove your loss.
The insurance company adjuster MIGHT give you an inventory form to fill out. They might not. But, they ARE going to expect you to submit a complete, accurate inventory list.
I hope that you videotaped all of the interior of your home PRIOR to the loss, and have secured that videotape in a safe deposit box off-site. Then, you could view the tape and write out the inventory.
But let's just assume that all you have is ashes. What to do next?
Get a copy of a JC Penney catalog. Better, get two...one Fall/Winter, one Spring/Summer. Get your hands on as many other catalogs as you can find. As you look at the pages of the catalogs, you'll remember the things that you had in your home. You will find hundreds or thousands of dollars in personal property that you likely would not have remembered owning. Not only will you remember dozens and dozens of items, but you'll have a retail price from a reputable retailer right at your fingertips.
Please don't misunderstand what I'm telling you to do here. I'm NOT telling you to write down items on your inventory list that you did not own. That's fraud, and you can go to jail for fraud. I'm simply showing you a way to remind yourself of things long ago purchased, and possibly stored and forgotten. For example, how many parents bought a vaporizer to run in their childrens' rooms at night when the children were sick? That vaporizer might not have been used in years, but you owned it, and you have a right to collect for it under the terms of your policy.
Write down EVERYTHING. Your inventory list will likely take dozens of pages. Remember to show (1) replacement cost, (2) age of the item, (3) Price paid.
When I say "write down EVERYTHING," I mean it. Thumbtacks, Q tips, makeup, bobby pins, tools, extension cords, light bulbs....if you owned it, record it.
You can be certain that the personal property you DO NOT INVENTORY will NOT be paid for.
Next article will discuss what happens next, when the adjuster begins to apply depreciation to your Contents Inventory. How can you win this fight?
Wildfire victims will lose tens of millions without this information!
The Southern California wildfires are causing the largest population evacuation in California
You can win the insurance game when you have the right tools!!
I spent the last 15 years of my 34-year insurance career in the claims adjusting side of the business. I became increasingly sickened by the ways that insurance companies minimized, shrunk, depreciated and flat-out denied claims that they knew were legitimate claims. So, I wrote a book showing consumers how to take control AWAY from the insurance companies. I know ALL the tricks, and I reveal them in my book.
The “devil” of the claim is in the details of the claims PROCESS, and the insurance companies hardly EVER explain the process. If they did, it would cost them millions more. Insurance companies do whatever they can to control the CLAIMS PROCESS. But, if you learn the CLAIMS PROCESS from me, you'll be able to take control of the process away from the insurance companies, and add hundreds or even thousands more dollars to your claim settlements!
- For the hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes, there is coverage in the homeowners or renters insurance policy for living expenses while you were displaced. In that coverage, there is a whole list of eligible expenses that you don’t know about and it’s not listed in the policy. The insurance companies will likely not tell you this, but I’ll tell you.
- How will you reconstruct your inventory of personal property? I’ll show you how.
- The insurance company will depreciate your dwelling and personal property, even if you have replacement cost coverage. Let me tell you how to beat this process.
- Are you underinsured? If you don’t FIGHT THIS PROCESS, the insurance company will determine how much your dwelling is worth, and if you have enough insurance. If THEY say you’re underinsured, they’ll hit you with a penalty. I can show you how to fight and get the correct valuation on your property.
You can win the insurance game when you have the right tools!!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Tornadoes, Floods, Wildfires and a New Hurricane Season!
After the March tornadoes, I posted a Top Ten List of extremely important things to do after your property is damaged in a disaster. In the next ten postings, I'm going to expand on each of the strategies in the Top Ten List.
Back in March, we here in the metro Atlanta area had an F4 tornado strike the downtown area of Atlanta. That tornado did about $300 million in damages. About a month later, another group of twisters hit between Atlanta and Macon, doing about the same amount of damage.
Now, we're seeing tornadoes all over the middle of the USA, and massive flooding has struck four or five states, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. And don't forget the wildfires charring Southern California.
But...cheer up! We have a long Hurricane Season that began June 1, and goes until the end of November!!
The following is an excerpt from my book, "Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!"
The first strategy in the Top Ten List is....SLOW DOWN.
How many times have you heard an insurance company’s radio or television commercial say how fast they settle claims? That really sounds good, doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t want their claim settled quickly?
But my long experience as an adjuster has been that hastily settled claims are settled far below what they are worth. It’s almost as if the policyholder or claimant becomes willing to give the insurance companies a big discount in return for the speed of getting a settlement check.
Don’t be one of those people who are motivated by a quick settlement check.
I’m not suggesting that you should drag your feet and be uncooperative in the process. You should be very cooperative...but on your own terms, not the insurance company’s terms. I’m saying that if you are in control of the claims process like you should be, it will not usually be speedy.
The process will move along in a businesslike manner, but you must not allow yourself to be rushed into a settlement. Even if the insurance company sends you a check before you’re ready to settle, you’re not required to cash it.
Let’s look at the first 24-48 hours after you have a loss. It really does not matter if your loss is small or large or a jumbo catastrophic disaster. It does not matter if your loss is a property loss…like a hurricane or flood or tornado or fire, or a casualty loss, like an automobile accident. There are some things that you must do to protect yourself, your family and your property.
FIRE, CATASTROPHIC WINDSTORM (HURRICANE/TORNADO) OR FLOOD CLAIMS
FIRST THING TO DO IS TO CONTROL THE SITUATION
1. Make sure everyone is safe and accounted for…including the pets.
2. Get medical attention for anyone in the family that needs it…including the pets.
3. Contact your public utility companies. Have them send out a technician to shut off the water, power and gas immediately. That itself will increase the safety factor in your damaged dwelling.
Speak with the Fire Marshall and the local Building Inspector regarding the safety of the dwelling. You want to be sure it’s safe for you to enter the dwelling after the loss. If it is not safe, don’t go in there…no matter what. You can replace STUFF, but you cannot replace YOURSELF.
AFTER THE UTILITIES ARE SHUT OFF, AND BEFORE THE RESTORATION COMPANY BOARDS UP THE DWELLING…SAFELY do the next step.
4. Camera work
Get hold of a video camera and a couple of video tapes. You might need a floodlight or other very powerful battery-powered light. If your dwelling is safe to walk through, take video footage of every room in the house where there is damage. Take footage from every angle in every room. Make sure you take footage of your damaged contents. Shoot footage inside closets…in open drawers, inside boxes, on bookshelves, inside cabinets, in the garage where lots of junk is stored. Take shots of all four sides of your home from the outside. Take footage of the debris in the yard, especially if it has contents items that the fire department threw out in the yard.
If you can’t get a video camera, then use a digital camera and take still photos. If you can’t get a digital camera, use a 35mm camera. Use the camera in your cell phone. Heck, use disposable cameras. JUST TAKE THE PHOTOS AND GET YOUR DAMAGES ON FILM!!
NEVER give your film negatives or original videotape to the adjuster. Give copies of the photos and videos, if they ask for them. Keep track of your expenses for photos and videos…you can recover that cost.
Want to know why camera work is so important?
-A photo is worth a thousand words.
-Photos trigger memories, and remind you of building and contents items that were destroyed or damaged.
-Time is of the essence. If you’re adjuster can’t get to your property for a couple days (or weeks in hurricane losses), and you need to protect your property, you can carefully photograph the areas that you are protecting before you cover them or alter them. That way, you’ve preserved evidence of the damages.
5. Notify your relatives or closest friends of the loss. Friends and relatives can be extremely helpful to you…but only if YOU control what they do.
A. Do NOT take advice from your friends and relatives, unless they have experienced a loss EXACTLY like yours, and were successful in getting every dollar they were owed. If that actually happened, they probably have a copy of this book and followed my advice to the letter.
B. Friends and relatives can be great witnesses of the damage. They can help take photos and videos. They can be witnesses when you meet with the adjuster or your contractor. They can babysit for you. They can store things temporarily for you. They can take care of your pets. They can make beer runs to the store for you while you’re taking care of your claim.
6. Notify the insurance company. It is certainly acceptable to phone the agent or company claim department first, but be aware that many policies require you to report a claim in writing. Make sure you know what your policy language says regarding submitting a Notice of Loss. THIS IS CRUCIAL!!! If you do not notify your insurance company of your loss in the way the policy says to do it, your claim could be denied.
7. Determine what it’s going to take to secure your property and protect it from further loss. This is part of your responsibility in your insurance contract. If necessary, contact a disaster restoration company to board up the building, or tarp the roof, or extract the water, etc. IF YOU DO THE WORK YOURSELF, OR ALLOW OTHERS TO DO FREE WORK FOR YOU, THE INSURANCE COMPANY MAY NOT PAY YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
8. SERIOUSLY CONSIDER HIRING A PUBLIC ADJUSTER (PA) IN THE FIRST 24-48 HOURS (see Chapter Nine about Public Adjusters in my book).
9. If you need to contact an emergency service provider or disaster restoration contractor, go to the websites listed below to find one.
SUPER IMPORTANT TIP!!!
A restoration contractor is very different than a general contractor. Most general contractors who do remodeling or new construction do not have the skills and knowledge that a restoration contractor has.
For one thing, the restoration contractor is very familiar with the insurance claims process, and how insurance companies pay for repairs. The restoration contractors use similar estimating software to that used by the adjusters and insurance companies. A general contractor who submits an estimate in an unacceptable form to the insurance company or adjuster just annoys them, and slows down your claim.
Another reason to find restoration contractor is that they are usually full service contractors. They will be able to do temporary or emergency cleanup and board up. They will own the equipment for drying and water damage remediation. They are familiar with the kinds of damage that fires, wind and water do to homes. Finally, they are experts at writing accurate estimates for these specific kinds of damages.
General contractors who do not make their living in insurance restoration do not have this kind of equipment and experience. Period.
You can also look in your local Yellow Pages under “Disaster Restoration,” or “Fire Restoration,” or “Water Damage Restoration.” Look for logos that say “DKI,” or “ASCR,” or “AAORC.”
DKI - Disaster Kleen-up International. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, is a network of the leading independent property damage restoration contractors across North America. You can ask for a referral at 888-735-0800, and also find them at: www.disasterkleenup.com
ASCR – The Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration, Inc. is the leading trade association for cleaning and restoration professionals worldwide, and the foremost authority, trainer and educator in the industry. You can ask for a referral in your area at 800-272-7012, or the website: www.ascr.org
AAORC - American Association Of Restoration Contractors, is a national network of reputable and reliable restoration contractors who provide top-notch restoration services. You can call them toll free at 866-771-1525, or the website: www.aaroc.com
Call at least two restoration contractors, if possible. Ask them to meet you at your home to inspect the damage within 24 hours of the loss.
Remember this important point…there is NOTHING in your policy that requires you to get two or three estimates. Meeting two contractors is just a smart way to find one that you like best and want to work with. Check out their references, and ask them for a list of satisfied customer that you can call by phone. ONLY AFTER THE CONTRACTOR CHECKS OUT should you hire him.
10. TIME TO GET ORGANIZED
Start A File
You must create a file immediately after your loss. Go to an office supply store and buy one of those cardboard accordion-like expandable folders that can hold lots of paperwork. Even a cardboard box with a lid on it is acceptable for keeping everything inside it. You don’t have to be fancy, just keep everything in one place. Your file also must be portable, so that rules out using a filing cabinet at home.
During the recovery process, place the following in your file:
Current copy of your policy. If you don’t have a copy handy, call your agent and have him get you a copy immediately.
Copies of all written correspondences (don’t forget emails) between you and ANYONE regarding your claim.
Phone, fax and email address record for everyone involved in the claim.
Photos you have taken of the damages…and the repairs. This includes videotapes or still photos of the damages that you took immediately after the loss.
A cassette tape of your own recorded statement about how the loss occurred. (See Chapter Twenty Five, Recorded Statements.)
A cassette tape recorder, batteries and spare tapes for recording EVERY conversation that you have with the adjuster, claims examiner, appraiser, engineer, attorney, contractor…ANYONE with whom you discuss this claim.
Receipt envelope. ALL receipts pertaining to this loss should be in that envelope. NEVER give the insurance company your original receipts. They should get copies.
Expense log: emergency services, living expenses, mileage, even extra child care, or boarding your pets…ANYTHING that you have to pay for that relates to this loss.
City, County, and State Building Code requirements in writing.
Copy of your state Department of Insurance statutes on Bad Faith Claims, or Unfair Claims Practices. (See the book Appendix for a list of all 50 states’ insurance departments, and their phone numbers. You can also find this free information at my website, www.insurance-claim-secrets.com ).
Waiver of Lien forms (See Chapter Thirty, Settling Your Claim). These forms are also downloadable at the website.
Worker’s list. A list of everyone who works on your home, who they work for, and what work they’re doing. Taking their photo would be a great idea, also.
Professional reports, such as an Engineer report, Cause and Origin report, Fire or Police report, etc.
Copy of all estimates.
Copy of all repair contracts. NO WORK WITHOUT SIGNED CONTRACTS. Also, contractors occasionally find hidden damages that will require supplemental repair costs. YOU are responsible for these costs, even though the insurance company agrees to pay. The insurance company doesn’t own your house…you do. GET IT IN WRITING.
Copies of any advance payment checks you receive from the insurance company.
If you have a contractor, or ANYONE who works on your damaged property, get a copy of their insurance certificates that show their liability insurance is in effect. No insurance, no work. Period. You CANNOT afford to have a worker get hurt on your premises and file a claim against you for liability or medical expenses.
Keep a Journal
Buy a journal book, or just simply use a standard sized legal pad as your claims journal. This means that you should write down EVERYTHING that happens in your claim.
Write down every phone conversation: Date, time, phone number, who you talked to, what was said.
Write down every meeting: Date, time, length of meeting, people in attendance, what was discussed.
Write it down WHEN IT HAPPENS. Don’t rely on your memory a few days later. You’ll be sorry if you try that.
11. Meet the adjuster. (First, read Chapter Seven, Claims Adjusters.)
The following procedure is what a professional claims adjuster SHOULD DO at your first meeting:
Introduce himself and give you his business card.
Sit down with you FIRST and explain what he is about to do.
Find out from you if you’ve ever had a loss before.
READ YOUR POLICY WITH YOU, and answer all of your questions.
Explain in detail the claims process, and the steps he will be taking.
Explain to you, the insured, what your responsibilities are in the claims process.
Then, after all of that…..he should inspect your damage.
If your adjuster does NOT do all of the above, in basically that order…you must realize that you may have a problem right away.
Here’s another tip about adjusters. Most adjusters are likeable people, and try their best to get along and be pleasant. Occasionally, you’ll find an adjuster who is disagreeable, rude and sharp tongued. If you find that you don’t get along with the independent adjuster that has been assigned to your claim, call his supervisor and request that another adjuster be assigned to this claim. Make your request politely but firmly. You do not have to take abuse and poor treatment from an adjuster. If the claims supervisor won’t change the adjuster, call the insurance company and ask them to assign the claim to another adjusting company.
If you’re dealing with the insurance company’s staff adjuster, and getting treated badly, call his supervisor and firmly request another adjuster. If the supervisor doesn’t cooperate, go to his supervisor. Keep going up the ladder until you get what you want. If none of this works, call your State Department of Insurance and file a complaint.
Many times you can meet the adjuster at your location on the same day as the loss occurred. That’s the ideal situation. Some damages can be mitigated (made less severe) by the speed that cleanup begins. For example, you have an icemaker supply line that bursts while you are out, and the red oak wood floor in your dining room gets very wet. If you can get the water up off the floor, and drying equipment in the room quickly, the floor will likely not swell and buckle…and the floor can be saved. If you had to wait 1-2 days for the adjuster to arrive, the floor would likely have to be replaced at much higher cost.
At this first meeting with the adjuster, make requests for advance payments, if necessary. (See Chapter Nineteen, Advance Payments.) If you’ve had a major Contents loss, like fire, smoke or water damage, you’ll need to replace some of these items quickly. If you have had a loss which leaves you unable to live in your home temporarily, you’ll need money to pay for hotel rooms, or temporary housing, or a short term lease for a house or apartment (Additional Living Expense coverage). Insurance companies will make these types of advance payments to the insured when the advance is requested. They seldom offer an advance.
That's all for this first strategy. Watch for more crucial information on the other strategies in the Top Ten List!
For more information, go to: www.insurance-claim-secrets.com
Back in March, we here in the metro Atlanta area had an F4 tornado strike the downtown area of Atlanta. That tornado did about $300 million in damages. About a month later, another group of twisters hit between Atlanta and Macon, doing about the same amount of damage.
Now, we're seeing tornadoes all over the middle of the USA, and massive flooding has struck four or five states, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. And don't forget the wildfires charring Southern California.
But...cheer up! We have a long Hurricane Season that began June 1, and goes until the end of November!!
The following is an excerpt from my book, "Insurance Claim Secrets REVEALED!"
The first strategy in the Top Ten List is....SLOW DOWN.
How many times have you heard an insurance company’s radio or television commercial say how fast they settle claims? That really sounds good, doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t want their claim settled quickly?
But my long experience as an adjuster has been that hastily settled claims are settled far below what they are worth. It’s almost as if the policyholder or claimant becomes willing to give the insurance companies a big discount in return for the speed of getting a settlement check.
Don’t be one of those people who are motivated by a quick settlement check.
I’m not suggesting that you should drag your feet and be uncooperative in the process. You should be very cooperative...but on your own terms, not the insurance company’s terms. I’m saying that if you are in control of the claims process like you should be, it will not usually be speedy.
The process will move along in a businesslike manner, but you must not allow yourself to be rushed into a settlement. Even if the insurance company sends you a check before you’re ready to settle, you’re not required to cash it.
Let’s look at the first 24-48 hours after you have a loss. It really does not matter if your loss is small or large or a jumbo catastrophic disaster. It does not matter if your loss is a property loss…like a hurricane or flood or tornado or fire, or a casualty loss, like an automobile accident. There are some things that you must do to protect yourself, your family and your property.
FIRE, CATASTROPHIC WINDSTORM (HURRICANE/TORNADO) OR FLOOD CLAIMS
FIRST THING TO DO IS TO CONTROL THE SITUATION
1. Make sure everyone is safe and accounted for…including the pets.
2. Get medical attention for anyone in the family that needs it…including the pets.
3. Contact your public utility companies. Have them send out a technician to shut off the water, power and gas immediately. That itself will increase the safety factor in your damaged dwelling.
Speak with the Fire Marshall and the local Building Inspector regarding the safety of the dwelling. You want to be sure it’s safe for you to enter the dwelling after the loss. If it is not safe, don’t go in there…no matter what. You can replace STUFF, but you cannot replace YOURSELF.
AFTER THE UTILITIES ARE SHUT OFF, AND BEFORE THE RESTORATION COMPANY BOARDS UP THE DWELLING…SAFELY do the next step.
4. Camera work
Get hold of a video camera and a couple of video tapes. You might need a floodlight or other very powerful battery-powered light. If your dwelling is safe to walk through, take video footage of every room in the house where there is damage. Take footage from every angle in every room. Make sure you take footage of your damaged contents. Shoot footage inside closets…in open drawers, inside boxes, on bookshelves, inside cabinets, in the garage where lots of junk is stored. Take shots of all four sides of your home from the outside. Take footage of the debris in the yard, especially if it has contents items that the fire department threw out in the yard.
If you can’t get a video camera, then use a digital camera and take still photos. If you can’t get a digital camera, use a 35mm camera. Use the camera in your cell phone. Heck, use disposable cameras. JUST TAKE THE PHOTOS AND GET YOUR DAMAGES ON FILM!!
NEVER give your film negatives or original videotape to the adjuster. Give copies of the photos and videos, if they ask for them. Keep track of your expenses for photos and videos…you can recover that cost.
Want to know why camera work is so important?
-A photo is worth a thousand words.
-Photos trigger memories, and remind you of building and contents items that were destroyed or damaged.
-Time is of the essence. If you’re adjuster can’t get to your property for a couple days (or weeks in hurricane losses), and you need to protect your property, you can carefully photograph the areas that you are protecting before you cover them or alter them. That way, you’ve preserved evidence of the damages.
5. Notify your relatives or closest friends of the loss. Friends and relatives can be extremely helpful to you…but only if YOU control what they do.
A. Do NOT take advice from your friends and relatives, unless they have experienced a loss EXACTLY like yours, and were successful in getting every dollar they were owed. If that actually happened, they probably have a copy of this book and followed my advice to the letter.
B. Friends and relatives can be great witnesses of the damage. They can help take photos and videos. They can be witnesses when you meet with the adjuster or your contractor. They can babysit for you. They can store things temporarily for you. They can take care of your pets. They can make beer runs to the store for you while you’re taking care of your claim.
6. Notify the insurance company. It is certainly acceptable to phone the agent or company claim department first, but be aware that many policies require you to report a claim in writing. Make sure you know what your policy language says regarding submitting a Notice of Loss. THIS IS CRUCIAL!!! If you do not notify your insurance company of your loss in the way the policy says to do it, your claim could be denied.
7. Determine what it’s going to take to secure your property and protect it from further loss. This is part of your responsibility in your insurance contract. If necessary, contact a disaster restoration company to board up the building, or tarp the roof, or extract the water, etc. IF YOU DO THE WORK YOURSELF, OR ALLOW OTHERS TO DO FREE WORK FOR YOU, THE INSURANCE COMPANY MAY NOT PAY YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
8. SERIOUSLY CONSIDER HIRING A PUBLIC ADJUSTER (PA) IN THE FIRST 24-48 HOURS (see Chapter Nine about Public Adjusters in my book).
9. If you need to contact an emergency service provider or disaster restoration contractor, go to the websites listed below to find one.
SUPER IMPORTANT TIP!!!
A restoration contractor is very different than a general contractor. Most general contractors who do remodeling or new construction do not have the skills and knowledge that a restoration contractor has.
For one thing, the restoration contractor is very familiar with the insurance claims process, and how insurance companies pay for repairs. The restoration contractors use similar estimating software to that used by the adjusters and insurance companies. A general contractor who submits an estimate in an unacceptable form to the insurance company or adjuster just annoys them, and slows down your claim.
Another reason to find restoration contractor is that they are usually full service contractors. They will be able to do temporary or emergency cleanup and board up. They will own the equipment for drying and water damage remediation. They are familiar with the kinds of damage that fires, wind and water do to homes. Finally, they are experts at writing accurate estimates for these specific kinds of damages.
General contractors who do not make their living in insurance restoration do not have this kind of equipment and experience. Period.
You can also look in your local Yellow Pages under “Disaster Restoration,” or “Fire Restoration,” or “Water Damage Restoration.” Look for logos that say “DKI,” or “ASCR,” or “AAORC.”
DKI - Disaster Kleen-up International. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, is a network of the leading independent property damage restoration contractors across North America. You can ask for a referral at 888-735-0800, and also find them at: www.disasterkleenup.com
ASCR – The Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration, Inc. is the leading trade association for cleaning and restoration professionals worldwide, and the foremost authority, trainer and educator in the industry. You can ask for a referral in your area at 800-272-7012, or the website: www.ascr.org
AAORC - American Association Of Restoration Contractors, is a national network of reputable and reliable restoration contractors who provide top-notch restoration services. You can call them toll free at 866-771-1525, or the website: www.aaroc.com
Call at least two restoration contractors, if possible. Ask them to meet you at your home to inspect the damage within 24 hours of the loss.
Remember this important point…there is NOTHING in your policy that requires you to get two or three estimates. Meeting two contractors is just a smart way to find one that you like best and want to work with. Check out their references, and ask them for a list of satisfied customer that you can call by phone. ONLY AFTER THE CONTRACTOR CHECKS OUT should you hire him.
10. TIME TO GET ORGANIZED
Start A File
You must create a file immediately after your loss. Go to an office supply store and buy one of those cardboard accordion-like expandable folders that can hold lots of paperwork. Even a cardboard box with a lid on it is acceptable for keeping everything inside it. You don’t have to be fancy, just keep everything in one place. Your file also must be portable, so that rules out using a filing cabinet at home.
During the recovery process, place the following in your file:
Current copy of your policy. If you don’t have a copy handy, call your agent and have him get you a copy immediately.
Copies of all written correspondences (don’t forget emails) between you and ANYONE regarding your claim.
Phone, fax and email address record for everyone involved in the claim.
Photos you have taken of the damages…and the repairs. This includes videotapes or still photos of the damages that you took immediately after the loss.
A cassette tape of your own recorded statement about how the loss occurred. (See Chapter Twenty Five, Recorded Statements.)
A cassette tape recorder, batteries and spare tapes for recording EVERY conversation that you have with the adjuster, claims examiner, appraiser, engineer, attorney, contractor…ANYONE with whom you discuss this claim.
Receipt envelope. ALL receipts pertaining to this loss should be in that envelope. NEVER give the insurance company your original receipts. They should get copies.
Expense log: emergency services, living expenses, mileage, even extra child care, or boarding your pets…ANYTHING that you have to pay for that relates to this loss.
City, County, and State Building Code requirements in writing.
Copy of your state Department of Insurance statutes on Bad Faith Claims, or Unfair Claims Practices. (See the book Appendix for a list of all 50 states’ insurance departments, and their phone numbers. You can also find this free information at my website, www.insurance-claim-secrets.com ).
Waiver of Lien forms (See Chapter Thirty, Settling Your Claim). These forms are also downloadable at the website.
Worker’s list. A list of everyone who works on your home, who they work for, and what work they’re doing. Taking their photo would be a great idea, also.
Professional reports, such as an Engineer report, Cause and Origin report, Fire or Police report, etc.
Copy of all estimates.
Copy of all repair contracts. NO WORK WITHOUT SIGNED CONTRACTS. Also, contractors occasionally find hidden damages that will require supplemental repair costs. YOU are responsible for these costs, even though the insurance company agrees to pay. The insurance company doesn’t own your house…you do. GET IT IN WRITING.
Copies of any advance payment checks you receive from the insurance company.
If you have a contractor, or ANYONE who works on your damaged property, get a copy of their insurance certificates that show their liability insurance is in effect. No insurance, no work. Period. You CANNOT afford to have a worker get hurt on your premises and file a claim against you for liability or medical expenses.
Keep a Journal
Buy a journal book, or just simply use a standard sized legal pad as your claims journal. This means that you should write down EVERYTHING that happens in your claim.
Write down every phone conversation: Date, time, phone number, who you talked to, what was said.
Write down every meeting: Date, time, length of meeting, people in attendance, what was discussed.
Write it down WHEN IT HAPPENS. Don’t rely on your memory a few days later. You’ll be sorry if you try that.
11. Meet the adjuster. (First, read Chapter Seven, Claims Adjusters.)
The following procedure is what a professional claims adjuster SHOULD DO at your first meeting:
Introduce himself and give you his business card.
Sit down with you FIRST and explain what he is about to do.
Find out from you if you’ve ever had a loss before.
READ YOUR POLICY WITH YOU, and answer all of your questions.
Explain in detail the claims process, and the steps he will be taking.
Explain to you, the insured, what your responsibilities are in the claims process.
Then, after all of that…..he should inspect your damage.
If your adjuster does NOT do all of the above, in basically that order…you must realize that you may have a problem right away.
Here’s another tip about adjusters. Most adjusters are likeable people, and try their best to get along and be pleasant. Occasionally, you’ll find an adjuster who is disagreeable, rude and sharp tongued. If you find that you don’t get along with the independent adjuster that has been assigned to your claim, call his supervisor and request that another adjuster be assigned to this claim. Make your request politely but firmly. You do not have to take abuse and poor treatment from an adjuster. If the claims supervisor won’t change the adjuster, call the insurance company and ask them to assign the claim to another adjusting company.
If you’re dealing with the insurance company’s staff adjuster, and getting treated badly, call his supervisor and firmly request another adjuster. If the supervisor doesn’t cooperate, go to his supervisor. Keep going up the ladder until you get what you want. If none of this works, call your State Department of Insurance and file a complaint.
Many times you can meet the adjuster at your location on the same day as the loss occurred. That’s the ideal situation. Some damages can be mitigated (made less severe) by the speed that cleanup begins. For example, you have an icemaker supply line that bursts while you are out, and the red oak wood floor in your dining room gets very wet. If you can get the water up off the floor, and drying equipment in the room quickly, the floor will likely not swell and buckle…and the floor can be saved. If you had to wait 1-2 days for the adjuster to arrive, the floor would likely have to be replaced at much higher cost.
At this first meeting with the adjuster, make requests for advance payments, if necessary. (See Chapter Nineteen, Advance Payments.) If you’ve had a major Contents loss, like fire, smoke or water damage, you’ll need to replace some of these items quickly. If you have had a loss which leaves you unable to live in your home temporarily, you’ll need money to pay for hotel rooms, or temporary housing, or a short term lease for a house or apartment (Additional Living Expense coverage). Insurance companies will make these types of advance payments to the insured when the advance is requested. They seldom offer an advance.
That's all for this first strategy. Watch for more crucial information on the other strategies in the Top Ten List!
For more information, go to: www.insurance-claim-secrets.com
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Insurance Companies Strike Gold in Illegal Immigrants!
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