The State of Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) recommends hiring a public adjuster for help with insurance claims, saying that “using a public adjuster can be a valuable service.” The state’s article on public adjusters overviews how they can help advocate for you during the claims process, a significant concern for many residents and business owners affected by this year’s wildfires in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Estes Park. A Colorado public adjuster can manage your claim from start to finish and hold your insurance company’s own adjuster accountable to maximize your recovery. WorldClaim has responded to the need in Colorado and is on the ground and available to help.

The Colorado wildfires of 2012 have destroyed at least 650 homes as of July 17 according to Bloomberg Business Week. This wildfire season is shaping up to be the worst in the state’s history. To date it is estimated that insurance claims will reach almost $500 million dollars.

Homeowners and insurance adjusters are just beginning to review policies and begin the claim process, although the insurance companies have already begun payouts to help cover the cost of alternate living expenses. Other items which will add to the claims amounts besides living expenses are the insured value of the damaged and destroyed homes, personal belongings, damaged and destroyed vehicles, and any commercial losses which may be involved. By the time all of the claims are in, the amount of damage may well exceed the initial estimate of $500 million.

Your Insurance Company May Not Interpret Your Policy Coverage The Same As You

How you interpret your insurance policy coverage and how the insurance company interprets it can become an issue that can wind up costing you when you receive a settlement that does not cover your losses as you expected. The legal language and other details in an insurance policy are not ordinarily well understood by the policyholder. One thing a policyholder can do if they are not satisfied with the settlement their insurance company is offering them for their losses is hire a public adjuster.

Public adjusters are experts at evaluating the losses involved in an insurance claim. They understand the legal language in your insurance policy and how you should be covered. They document your losses, do the paperwork involved in the claim, and can negotiate with the insurance company to obtain a settlement that is fair. Most importantly, they are the policyholders advocate. They work for you while the insurance claims adjuster is working for the insurance company. WorldClaims is one company which has experienced public adjusters who work with residential insurance claims as well as commercial claims in the United States and worldwide.

Are Some Unfair Insurance Company Practices Uncovered In Personal Injury Claims An Indication Of Unfair Practices In Homeowners Insurance Claims?

The Consumer Federation of America issued a report in June 2012 highlighting a practice among many insurance companies which has resulted in consumers being shortchanged on their personal injury claims. According to the report some of the nation’s largest insurers are using a computerized claims system whose programing has been adjusted to make “broad-scale, lowball claims payments to injured consumers that are less than what they should receive under their insurance policies.” Because the software in this program can be manipulated, companies can adjust factors in their favor.

So far this program has been used for injury claims. But if insurance companies are willing to “lowball” their customers in the area of personal injury claims might they not also be willing to extend such a practice into the other areas they insure? Here again, by having a public adjuster advocate for you, you can be assured that your best interests will be protected.

Complaints Against Homeowners Insurance Filed With DORA In 2010 -2011

The State Of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) in their 2010 – 2011 annual report on complaints against insurers notes that 93% of the complaints that were filed with their Division of Homeowners Insurance involved homeowners insurance coverage. The top 10 homeowner complaints involved:

Denial of claim 26%
Unsatisfactory settlement offer 19%
Claim delay 10%
Adjuster handling 8%
Premium & rating 7%
Non-renewal 5%
Cancellation 2%
Adjuster not responding 2%
Value dispute 2%

If you are a victim of the Colorado wildfire or have had major property losses from any type of disaster, you could benefit from the representation of a public adjuster. WorldClaim has experienced public adjusters and has helped in every major disaster in the United States since 1979. WorldClaim has its corporate offices in New York and Atlanta as well as 10 other locations worldwide including a location in Colorado.

Contact WorldClaim’s Public Adjusters Today To Be Your Advocate And Ensure You Get A Fair Settlement

Contact one of the WorldClaim public adjusters to help with your insurance claim to ensure you get a fair settlement. Whether you are a victim of the Colorado wildfires or have suffered loss from a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, or flood we are here to be your advocate and protect your interests. Call our Colorado office at 303.626.1000.