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Most people short themselves with regards to their insurance claims.
Without the knowledge of what you are actually owed, you have no way to judge whether the settlement is correct From the moment the loss occurred, what is good for you is not good for your insurance company and vice versa. A textbook example of an adversarial relationship.
Think about this – The adjuster was the contact between you and your insurance company following the loss. He’s the one that evaluates your loss and writes you a check. His job is a paradoxical impossibility, since he can only have one master. How can he make you whole (indemnity) and keep you satisfied if he must do it as cost efficiently as possible? In an average year, there are |
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approximately 7 million paid non-catastrophic claims in the U.S. costing insurance companies more than $40 billion. If they can cut back on those costs by minimizing your loss, they will.
MySmartClaims is a revolutionary software program that challenges the way property losses are adjusted. It evaluates your loss by using answers to predetermined questions concerning your property. Using local material and labor cost tables, it then gives you a comprehensive estimate of damages that can be presented as an alternative to your insurance company adjuster’s estimate - leveling the playing field.
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The Honor System
Ken and Virginia Dawson survived the hurricane. Unfortunately, their house didn’t. Part of their roof was ripped off by 120 mph winds and torrential rains flooded the contents of this home. When they could find a working telephone, they called their agent. The agent felt bad for them, he said, but while the structure was covered for flood damage, it seemed the contents of their house just weren’t included in the coverage. The Insurance adjuster arrived and shared the agent’s sympathies... Learn more » |
“MySmartClaims will ensure you recover the right amount to repair the damage and make you whole.” |
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Sales Tax Omission
When Mike and Dottie Cone tell how the burglars took everything, they always have to emphasize the word "everything". Not only were their televisions and jewelry stolen, but whole rooms of furniture, as well. It was as if burglars had backed up a moving van to their front door and literally cleaned them out...
Learn more » |
“MySmartClaims accounts for sales tax and many other items usually left off the insurance company’s estimate.” |
Actual Cash Value Retention
The adjuster spent a long time examining what was left of Carol Disney’s business following the hurricane. Her boutique, a freestanding storefront in a neighborhood mall lost more than contents. Whole walls were knocked in, the roof landed two blocks away and still standing walls were filled with salty water... Learn more » |
“MySmartClaims will provide a detailed report of all repair and reconstruction costs at the then current material and labor costs.” |
What a Waste!
Who knew reconstructing your home after a hurricane could be so complicated. Not Nelson and Edie Benton. The last time they redecorated was almost 10 years ago. And they still had a roof over their heads then. This time, in addition to new carpets and paint, they need new floor tile and a new roof. Renovation from the bottom to the top... Learn more » |
“MySmartClaims takes waste factors into consideration when calculating your loss.” |
Appearance Allowances
Randy Eagleton remained home when the flaming oil ran down the side of his kitchen cabinet. He grabbed a towel and quickly snuffed out the flames. Then he sat on the floor and took a good look at the matched marble-inlaid, handsomely carved kitchen cabinets that ran length of the room. The damaged cabinet door, oil stained and singed beyond repair, ruined the look of the entire kitchen... Learn more » |
“MySmartClaim will always use the matching principle when estimating your loss.” |
The Buddy System
The fire tore through Jim and Karen Dunlap’s home in a matter of minutes. The fire department arrived quickly, but the damage was still extensive. The adjuster walked the ruins, spent time pushing the buttons on his calculator and wrote up his report... Learn more » |
“MySmartClaim ensures that the insured risk is paid for." |
Alternative Means of Repair
Cheryl Atwood is happy that there’s no policy exclusion for carelessness. She often has so much on her mind that she does things without thinking. Like taking a hot pot and placing it on her Formica countertop... Learn more » |
“MySmartClaims will ensure the estimate includes the full cost of repair.” |
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Punitive Actions
In years past, insurance companies used punitive action if they thought fraud was involved. Today, it’s used as a threat and even punishment on the policyholder to get him to submit to their offer. Sarah and Colin Mackenzie had insisted on the rights of indemnification, which was going to cost the insurance company serious money. Since we can’t get together on this, the company is going to want you to submit to examination under oath, explained the adjuster. In about six weeks and Attorney will fly and sit down and ask you questions under oath. Should take 2 to 3 days. He’ll probably question you, your family and maybe your maid. He’s going to need your financial records and tax return for the past five years and everything on this list, as well... Learn more » |
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