The Process

We understand that undergoing a loss can be a stressful time in your life. It is our intention to relieve the “claim headache” portion of the stress for you – leaving you to manage the things that are most important in your life (like your family and your business). Property Claim Adjusters’ representation consists of four key stages:

I. Determining Policy Coverage: During our initial meeting with you, we’ll request a copy of your policy for review (if that’s possible). If the policy has been destroyed in the loss, then we’ll need contact information for your insurance agent or carrier so we can obtain a copy. Once we’ve received your policy, we’ll completely analyze the policy provisions and conditions to determine your rights and responsibilities, including the obligations of the insurance company. No stone is left unturned in this crucial step.

II. Documentation of the Claim: You are required to prove the full extent of loss and support the claim with appropriate documentation. Property Claim Adjusters provides a thorough documentation process including structural estimates, content estimates and documentation, additional living expenses, loss of income, and temporary repairs. Our estimators will visit the loss to take pictures, measurements, ask you questions regarding the loss, etc. This function is important to help you recover maximum settlement. Your assistance will be most required for the contents portion of the claim, but we have systems in place to make that process as simple as possible for you – without leaving anything out.

III. Presentation of the Claim: After the full extent of the loss is determined and documented, the schedule of loss and damages is prepared, reviewed, and presented to the insurance carrier for negotiations.

IV. Negotiation of Settlement: Our expertise in the documentation and presentation of the claim gives us the ability to negotiate from a well-defined position, maximizing your settlement.

What if we can’t reach an agreement with the carrier?

When settlement amounts are in dispute, the most effective way to get results is the appraisal clause provision in the policy. The “appraisal clause” found in all insurance policies, was designed to establish a procedure to allow disputed amounts to be resolved by disinterested parties. It will read something like this in your policy:

APPRAISAL CLAUSE: “If you and we fail to agree on the amount of loss, either may demand an appraisal of the loss. In this event, each party will choose a competent appraiser within 20 days after receiving a written request from the other. The two appraisers will choose an umpire. If they cannot agree upon an umpire within 15 days, you or we may request that the choice be made by a judge of a court of record in the state where the “residence premises” is located. The appraisers will separately set the amount of loss. If the appraisers submit an agreement to us, the amount agreed upon will be the amount of loss. If they fail to agree, they will submit their differences to the umpire. A decision agreed to by any two will set the amount of loss.”

Sometimes invoking the appraisal clause is necessary when negotiations come to a standstill with the carrier. However, we have been very successful in navigating the appraisal process, and securing favorable settlement amounts for clients.


FOR PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE CLAIM REPRESENTATION IN ARIZONA, CALL PROPERTY CLAIM ADJUSTERS TODAY!

BUT, I ALREADY HAVE AN INDEPENDENT ADJUSTER WORKING ON MY CLAIM.

The word “independent” means that the licensed adjuster is able to represent more then one insurance company. Although he is “independent,” he does represent the insurance company, not the policyholder.

MY POLICY SAYS I’M TO MAKE TEMPORARY REPAIRS TO PROTECT MY PROPERTY.

Property Claim Adjusters will help you make these important decisions as part of the many services we provide. A good rule of thumb is to protect your property as if you had no insurance at all.