Serious property damage events in commercial properties present many challenges to business owners. Emergency and recovery management efforts must be knowledgeably coupled with continuity business planing to ensure efficient recoveries. Due to the nature of commercial loss events, it is usually advisable for commercial property owners to hire a professional public adjuster to provide the hands on expert resources owners need to restore their business operations in the shortest time possible.  

1. Notify your insurance company about the damage or loss as soon as possible after the incident.

2. Provide evidence of the damage, such as photographs or videos, and gather relevant information like the incident's date, location, and any witnesses. Do not provide any more information than the carrier specifically requests. 

3. The insurance carrier will assign an adjuster who represents their interest who may visit your property to assess the extent of the damage and investigate the claim further.

4. Maintain regular communication with your insurance company throughout the process and follow up as needed.

5. Once the claim is evaluated, if coverage is accepted the insurance company will provide a settlement offer based on their interpretation of the policy coverage and assessment of your damage.

6. Review the settlement offer carefully and negotiate if necessary. If you're dissatisfied with the offer, you may explore options for appeal or seek professional advice. Appealing a coverage or settlement position is difficult however and usually beneficial for property owners to engage a professional public adjuster to represent their interest before a dispute arises. 

Overall, you are entitled to thorough evaluation of your claim, clear communication with your insurance company, and a resolution that adequately addresses the damage to your commercial property.

Even the most sophisticated property owners are typically not adequately prepared to successfully navigate the property claims process without professional help. The ever-changing landscape of property claims, and the expertise required to expedite fair settlement awards often leaves property owners under-resourced when claims occur. Hiring a professional public adjuster as soon as possible after an event occurs is typically the best way to ensure a positive outcome to your claim. Absent professional representation, there are some key mistakes to avoid in the commercial property claims process:

Delaying Notification: Promptly report the damage to your insurance company to avoid potential complications or coverage issues.

Failure to Mitigate Further Damage: Take reasonable steps to mitigate further damage to your property after the incident, as failing to do so could impact your claim.

Incomplete Documentation: Thoroughly document the damage with photographs or videos and gather all relevant information, including dates, locations, and witness contacts.

Miscommunication: Maintain clear and consistent communication with your insurance company, providing accurate information and promptly responding to inquiries.

Not Reviewing the Policy: Familiarize yourself with your insurance policy to understand coverage limits, exclusions, and deductible requirements, preventing misunderstandings during the claims process.

Neglecting Follow-Up: Stay engaged throughout the claims process, following up with your insurance company as needed and ensuring that your claim progresses efficiently.

Accepting Inadequate Settlements: Review settlement offers carefully to ensure they adequately cover the damage to your commercial property. Don't hesitate to negotiate or seek professional claims or legal advice if necessary.

By avoiding these mistakes and remaining proactive throughout the commercial property claims process, you can increase the likelihood of a successful resolution. The best way to ensure you receive fair compensation for the damage to your property is by hiring a professional public adjuster. 

Public adjusters are independent professionals who work on behalf of policyholders to negotiate with insurance companies and ensure fair settlements. Their expertise in insurance policies, claim procedures, law, and property damage assessment can help level the playing field between policyholders and insurance companies, especially in complex or high-value claims.

Public adjusters can thoroughly evaluate the extent of damage to your commercial property, providing detailed documentation and evidence the insurance carrier will to support your claim. Their experience in navigating the claims process and advocating for policyholders' interests usually leads to more favorable outcomes. 

Additionally, public adjusters can handle the entire claims process on your behalf, alleviating the claims management burden and negotiations while allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business. Overall, involving a public adjuster can help ensure that you receive fair compensation for the damage to your commercial property and expedite the resolution of your claim.

Public Adjusters can play a valuable role for property managers and developers by assisting them with insurance claims related to property damage or loss. Here are several ways in which public adjusters can help property managers and developers:

     Navigating the Claims Process: Insurance claims can be complex and time-consuming, involving extensive paperwork, documentation, and negotiations with insurance companies. Public adjusters have in-depth knowledge of insurance policies, law, and claims procedures, allowing them to navigate the claims process efficiently on behalf of property managers and developers.

    Expert Damage Assessment: Public adjusters conduct thorough assessments of property damage, utilizing their expertise to accurately document the scope and extent of losses often identifying repairs that are required but overlooked. This includes identifying both visible and hidden damage, as well as assessing the impact of the damage on the property's value and functionality.

    Policy Interpretation: Insurance policies can contain complex language and provisions that may be difficult for property managers and developers to accurately interpret. Public adjusters undergo continuous expert training to understand insurance policies, ensuring their clients are aware of their obligations as well as rights and entitlements under their insurance coverage.

    Negotiating with Insurers: Public adjusters act as advocates for property managers and developers during negotiations with insurance companies. They leverage their knowledge of insurance claims processes and industry standards to advocate for fair settlements and favorable outcomes.

    Providing Peace of Mind: Dealing with property damage can be stressful and overwhelming for property managers and developers. Public adjusters relieve this burden by handling all aspects of the insurance claims process, allowing property managers and developers to focus on other priorities.

Overall, public adjusters serve as valuable partners for property managers and developers, helping them navigate the complexities of insurance claims and ensure that they receive fair compensation for property damage or loss.

Insurance brokers often advocate for their clients when property damage losses and claims occur. This advocacy can be very helpful to the insured. However, insurance brokers do not typically have the direct claims handling experience or expertise that a professional public adjuster provides. For larger or more complex losses, insurance brokers can benefit from contacting a public adjuster in several ways:

    Expertise in Claims Handling: Public adjusters specialize in handling insurance claims and have in-depth knowledge of insurance policies, coverage limitations, and claims processes. By leveraging their expertise, insurance brokers can ensure that their clients receive improved claims process and fair compensation from their insurance policies.

    Assistance with Complex Claims: Some insurance claims may be particularly complex or involve significant losses. Public adjusters have the experience and resources to handle these challenging claims effectively, ensuring that all aspects of the claim are properly documented, assessed, and presented to the insurance company.

    Hands on Attention: Handling complex or large insurance claims demands daily attention, a level of involvement that brokers may find challenging to sustain. Public adjusters offer invaluable support by dedicating themselves to tasks like conducting thorough investigations, frequent site visits, and managing relationships with all involved parties. Their on-the-ground presence ensures that no detail is overlooked, and every aspect of the claim receives meticulous attention, ultimately enhancing the likelihood of a favorable outcome for the policyholder.

    Advocacy for Policyholders: Public adjusters act as advocates for policyholders, representing their interests and ensuring that they are treated fairly by the insurance company. By working with a public adjuster, insurance brokers can demonstrate their commitment to their clients' best interests and enhance their reputation as trusted advisors.

    Savings in Time and Resources: Handling insurance claims can be time-consuming and resource-intensive for insurance brokers. By enlisting the assistance of a public adjuster, insurance brokers can offload much of the claims handling process, freeing up their time to focus on other aspects of their business.

   Ensuring Fair Claims Settlements: Public adjusters are skilled negotiators who work on behalf of policyholders to ensure claims settlements are fair. By working with a public adjuster, insurance brokers can help their clients secure higher payouts from their insurance companies, resulting in greater satisfaction and loyalty.

   Enhanced Client Relationships: By proactively involving a public adjuster in the claims process, insurance brokers demonstrate their commitment to providing comprehensive support to their clients. This proactive approach can help strengthen client relationships and increase client retention over the long term.

Overall, insurance brokers can benefit from partnering with public adjusters to ensure that their clients receive the best possible outcomes from their insurance claims. By collaborating with public adjusters, insurance brokers can provide added value to their clients and differentiate themselves from competitors in the industry.