Sewer Backup Insurance Claims: A Reminder In Brooklyn, NY

Sewer Backup Insurance Claims

Earlier this week, a two-block area of Brooklyn, NY was affected by a broken water main utility line. The water from this broken line caused some 30 homes to experience from inches to feet in water damage to ground floors and basements. 

This is an occurrence which makes the phones at Global Patriot Adjusters ring with scared and frustrated homeowners. The first question we ask in assessing if the homeowner has coverage for Sewage Backup as a part of Homeowner's Coverage. Sadly, Most Owners Do Not Have This Coverage!

This coverage is what is called and additional rider on your Homeowner's insurance. It usually covers $5,000 to $25,000 for pipe related backups and damage. These coverages usually raise the cost of insurance a very small amount.

“There is simply no wiser insurance addition than sewage backup coverage. If you are served by public utilities, it should be as obvious as fire coverage! If your damage was beyond the insured amount, we would help you in working with an attorney to file for recovery of  your costs from the city utility that caused the damage.”

— Marc Lancaric, Public Adjuster & President of Global Patriot Adjusters

Call us for a free no obligation consultation or for advice on how to proceed: 800-654-3041

Hiring a Public Adjuster Right After Damage Occurs! Why?

“The biggest mistake a homeowner or commercial property owner makes is not hiring a public adjuster right after the damage occurs.”

— Marc Lancaric, Public Adjuster and President of Global Patriot Adjusters

Hiring us right away will: 

1. Avoid the Pitfalls of going it alone.
2. Generally get you a better Settlement
3. Reduce the headache and stress of dealing with the insurance carrier. 

We are only paid our percentage of the claim for the dollars we collect for the property owner/insured.

When we review your claim, we will be able to find every aspect of your policy that can be accessed for your claim.  Your insurance adjuster will generally not look at your claim the way  we look at a claim as your Public Adjuster.

“You faithfully paid your premiums, and we will faithfully remind your carrier that you should be treated with the same commitment.”

— Marc Lancaric, President of Global Patriot Adjuster

Contact us 24/7 for quick action on your claim 800-654-3041.

Broken Pipe Insurance Claims | Public Adjuster | Global Patriot Adjusters

Broken Pipe Insurance Claims

Recently, we worked a claim in The Berkshires region of Massachusetts. The Bed and Breakfast called us in after a brief closure of the home had taken place. The "O" ring on a refrigerator had failed. With very high pressure, the ice maker water line began to push water out in to the Bed and Breakfast. 

The water flowed for 9 days and spilled over 15,000 gallons of water in the residence.

The insurance carrier assessed the loss at $25,000.

The owners also had Additional Living Expenses / Loss of Use on the property.

Three weeks after the loss the owners called Global Patriot Adjusters. In three weeks the owners had not been able to get the carrier to release any monies, or give them a better number for the damages. In this same period, the owners had been getting a run around on their additional living expenses payments as well. This was turning into a very big mess.

Amount Differential ($)

We negotiated 3 times the amount offered by the insurance company on behalf of the insured.

We took over the claim and assessed the loss at $79,000. Within two weeks we had an agreed scope, remediation activities, $10,000 in funds as an advance toward the construction work. Within three more weeks we had collected over $50,000 toward the project and it was moving in the right direction to get the business and family back up and running.

“It is not uncommon, to have the first look of the insurance carrier be rather minimal compared to the actual damage found.  It is very important that you not allow a bad assessment of the damages to become the basis of the claim. We make sure it is better addressed with the carrier, so we do not have problems with an unfair settlement.”

— Marc Lancaric, Public Adjuster & President, Global Patriot Adjusters

Some of the greatest problems with these type of pipe breaks and insurance claims come with the thought that it is "a little water on the floor." Very often, it is much worse, much!  Global Patriot Adjusters will handle these claims with a kind of clarity that doesn't leave a homeowner holding the bag!

Contact us 24/7 for quick action on your claim 800-654-3041.

Insurance Companies Stacking The Deck Against You - Public Adjuster

The Power of using a Public Adjuster

If you were being sued the opposing attorney would love to know that you were representing yourself. Chances are good,  your insurance company feels the same way.

Your insurance company uses professional adjusters to protect their interests – you should have the same or better on your side.  As a Public Adjuster, Global Patriot Adjusters, LLC. only represents your interests in collecting a fair amount for the damage of your property.

Your insurance company hires an Independent Adjuster (IA)

The IA represents the insurance carrier only by reporting the size of your claim.  This Adjuster is generally paid by the size of your claim. He/She will tell you, there is no reason for the Insurance Adjuster to limit the amount of your claim, especially since his/her income derives from this amount.  On the face, this seems logical.

When you dig a bit deeper, you have to understand that the IA works over and over for the same insurance company.  This recurring relationship forces the IA to work more closely with the will of the insurance carrier than their own, quite literally to make certain the insurance company keeps giving him/her business.

This week we worked to maximize claims, as usual.  When we advocate for clients as a Public Adjuster, we simply have the carrier work under the provisions of the insurance policy.  We give them no out.  We do this, by proving our case for damage repair. Here are just some of the things we had to work out this week as our client's Public Adjuster.

Milford, NH Insurance Claim

The Insurance Carrier did not want to pay for the owner's granite countertop that was broken while being removed by the contractor who was repairing damage from pipe break claim.

We answered this denied portion of the claim with care and turned the denial into an approval for $6,200

Lowell, MA Insurance Claim

The IA for the Insurance carrier claimed the damage from a Vandal was $31,500. He was holding fast to the number. We were able to get a 3rd opinion, and back it up our assessment with more proof. We moved the approval up to $79,000

Bridgton, ME Insurance Claim

The Insurance Adjuster claimed the owner of a restaurant was not allowed, under the policy, to receive payment for damages to equipment that were hurt when a tuck hit the back of the building. By going directly to the carrier and working this out with respect and skill, we were able to get the denied claim reversed.

As the Public Adjuster, we were able to turn this around in a way that also helped the owner to get temporary heating and ventilation paid. This meant the restaurant could replace equipment, fix the building, and keep running all but one day. This is what the insurance policy said they should get, and as their public adjuster, we made certain full coverage is what they got!

We could go on about the negotiations we did this week. This should give you a good idea about what it means to have a Public Adjuster on your side.  Simply Said:

Your insurance company uses professional adjusters to protect their interests – you should have the same or better on your side.  As a Public Adjuster, Global Patriot Adjusters, LLC. only represents your interests in collecting a fair amount for the damage of your property.

Call us for a free no obligation consultation or for advice on how to proceed: 800-654-3041.