Having insurance reduces your exposure to a potential occurrence and guarantees some form of compensation for a specified loss or damage.  From homeowners insurance to life insurance, there are many different types of policies. Trying to familiarize yourself with your insurance policy may not be the most exciting read, but it is important for ensuring you are covered.  Not only can the language used be confusing, but often it is ambiguous. Pfister Adjusting, Inc, public adjusters in Pittsburgh, not only help you with property damage and various other claims, but we are available to help you understand your policy and interpret your coverage.

Sections of an Insurance Policy

Knowing the different parts of an insurance policy will help you break down the material a little easier.  The common sections of an insurance policy include:

Declarations Page

This first page, often referred to as the “Dec Page”, provides basic information about your policy, such as:

• Insuring company
• Insured persons
• Period of coverage
• Risks and property covered
• Amount of insurance
• Applicable deductibles

Definitions

Common terms used throughout an insurance policy are explained in this section. Definitions for the following words may be included:

• Claim
• Deductible
• Effective date
• Peril Policy
• Premium
• Renewal

Coverages

This section details information on the insurance that is provided.  It includes items and damages that are covered.  For example, if your Pittsburgh property has suffered damage, referencing this section will give you an idea of what will be covered in your claim.

Exclusions

As a policyholder, you must pay special attention to the exclusions section of your policy.  A public adjuster, like Pittsburgh’s own Pfister Adjusting, Inc. can provide valuable insight into this section of your policy.  Exclusions describe the coverage limits of your policy and how coverage may be eliminated.

Conditions

This section outlines the responsibilities of the insurer and the insured.  Some items discussed may include cancellation policy, transfer of rights or duties and the payment plans.

Endorsements

Endorsements are considered amendments to the policy.  They may be attached to the original agreement.  This section also includes explanations for optional coverages that are available for an additional premium.

Don’t allow the ambiguity of an insurance policy prevent you from investing in coverage. Nobody lives a risk-free life. It is a huge and costly gamble to not be insured.

Public Adjusters Can Assist Before Damage Occurs

If you are in need of assistance understanding your insurance policy, you do not need to wait until an event takes place or damage has occurred.  As a public adjuster, Pfister Adjusting, Inc. provides insurance assistance to clients in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas before, during and after a property damage or other claim is filed.  Pfister Adjusting, Inc. works on behalf of the policy holder and is here to help you return to your pre-loss condition.  If you need help understanding your insurance policy, contact Pfister Adjusting, Inc. at 412-719-6200.

On the policyholder’s behalf, they investigate the damage and handle all correspondence with the insurance carrier.   Insurance policies and the requirements to file a claim have grown more complex over the years.  Often, as business owners or homeowners, you do not have the time or the expertise to interpret your policies and claim what is rightfully yours.  Retaining the services of a public insurance adjuster can be extremely helpful, while providing the following benefits:

Time Savings

In order to file a claim, there are many steps involved, such as documenting damages, photographing any needed evidence, consulting with experts for additional information and thoroughly reviewing your insurance policy.  Also, as information is being gathered, there is a lot of back and forth with the insurance company to supply them with additional information that may be needed.  This can be an extremely time-consuming and tedious task.  The good news is that public adjusters can handle all of this—saving you time and frustration.

Claims Expertise

Insurance policy lingo can be somewhat confusing and easily misinterpreted, leading a policyholder to be too frustrated to file the claim or the settlement to be less than it should.  Public adjusters are trained and experienced in handling a wide range of claims.  When you file a claim, the insurance company will send their own adjuster or a contracted adjuster to evaluate the situation.  Keep in mind that these adjusters are working on behalf of the insurance company.  Public adjusters review coverages and damages that often get overlooked by insurance companies.  Their job is to help YOU understand what is covered under your policy and the options you have to make a proper claim.  Additionally, they help to ensure that the insurance company honors the provisions of your policy.

Protection of Policy Holder’s Rights

Public adjusters work for you.  Having an advocate that understands the expectations of insurance companies, as well as the language used in insurance policies will only benefit you in filing your claim.  Public adjusters want to make sure that you, as the policyholder, receive a just and fair settlement.

Fair Claim Value

With experience on their side, public adjusters have dealt with a multitude of claims.  They are experts when it comes to estimating a reasonable value for your settlement.  As your advocate, they ensure that the pre-loss condition is appropriately documented and clearly identified, as well as the damages.

No Upfront Costs

Typically, there are no upfront costs when retaining the services of a public adjuster.  Payment is only received if the claim is settled.

Public Adjuster Serving Pittsburgh and the Surrounding Areas

Founded in 2007, Pfister Adjusting, Inc. is a full-service public adjuster firm whose number one goal is your indemnity.  For the past 11 years in Pittsburgh, we have seen all types of damage claims. From loss caused by lightning, fire, water, tornado, hurricane, wind, frozen pipes, an appliance break, etc., Pfister Adjusting, Inc., works diligently to get what is rightfully yours.  If you are in need of assistance with a claim, call us at 412-719-6200.

If you are like most policyholders, you probably have not read your policy in its entirety. While you should be familiar with it, we know that it may not be in your top 10 reads for 2019. Therefore, we have outlined some basic steps that are critical when filing an insurance claim.

10 Important Steps to Filing a Claim

As public adjusters in Pittsburgh, Pfister Adjusting, Inc., has guided a variety of clients through a wide range of insurance claims. It can be an overwhelming time for a homeowner, but if you take a deep breath and follow these steps, the claims adjustment process will seem more manageable.

1.  Call a Public Adjuster – A public adjuster will make your claim run smoothly and simply for you by guiding and supporting you through the entire process. They will also help you get the best settlement for your damages.  So literally, you are able to make one phone call, Pfister Adjusting will file your claim, process your claim, attend all inspections, then contact you with payments. During the entire process, you’re able to continue your daily schedule.

2. Photograph and Document – it is important to provide as much documentation, photographs and videos as possible, as this is part of the evidence for your claim. Any damage that you can photograph or document as soon as it occurs will benefit you in the long run. If you temporarily repair a damaged area and then decide to photograph it, you risk having your claim denied. It is also important to photograph the cause of damage, if possible. For instance, if your property was damaged by a fallen tree or hail, be sure to take a picture of the tree or the hailstones. The more documentation you have, the better.

3. Contact Insurance Company – after documenting the evidence and securing the area, you will need to contact the insurance company. Depending on the company, this may be done by phone, online or through an app. If you are interested in obtaining a public adjuster to help with your claim, now is the time to do so. Public adjusters, like Pfister Adjusting, Inc., in Pittsburgh, act as advocates for residential and commercial policyholders to ascertain how much an insurer should pay for a loss. Typically, there are no upfront costs and they only receive a payment if the claim is settled.

4. Review Your Policy – if you have not familiarized yourself with your insurance policy, now is the time to do so. Pay particular attention to the areas that relate to the event that has caused your property damage. Often, the writing of the policy can seem ambiguous. A public adjuster will help you to interpret your coverage.

5. File Needed Paperwork – after contacting your insurance company, they should provide you with the paperwork that needs to be completed. Be sure to complete in its entirety and to the best of your knowledge. The paperwork will play an important role in the outcome of your claim.

6. Consider Getting Your Own Estimate – it may be worth your while to contact a professional contractor to provide you with an estimate for repair. Insurance companies often use their own estimators to evaluate damage and repair costs. If you contact an independent estimator, you will have a good idea of the value of your claim.

7. Have Representation When Claims Adjuster Arrives – it is important to have someone present that represents you when the insurance company’s claims adjuster arrives. This is where a public adjuster, working on your behalf, comes in handy. They will ensure that everything is being properly inspected and evaluated.

8. Wait for Offer or Denial – depending on if all needed info has been gathered by the insurance company, this could be a short or rather long process. More info may need to be gathered before an offer or denial is presented to the policyholder. A public adjuster is extremely helpful to expedite the process.

9. Accept or Deny the Offer – once the insurance company has presented its findings, as a policyholder, you can accept or deny the offer. At this time, you can also negotiate your claim or dispute the findings. If using a public adjuster, they will negotiate for what is rightfully due to you. It can be a labor-intensive process that is best handled by an experienced public claims adjuster.

10. Insurance Payout – if the insurance company finds your damage to be legitimately covered, you will receive a check to be used to recover and repair damages.

Contact Your Local Public Adjusters

Claims adjustments in Pittsburgh can easily be processed with a trusted and reputable public adjuster by your side. From loss caused by lightning, fire, water, tornado, hurricane, wind, frozen pipes, an appliance break, etc. Pfister Adjusting, Inc., works to get what is best for you. If you are in need of assistance with a claim, call us at 412-719-6200.

• Interviewing the claimant and witnesses
• Documenting damages
• Photographing any needed evidence
• Consulting with experts for additional information
• Evaluating current coverage
• Estimating and presenting damages
• Negotiating with the policyholder’s insurance carrier

Types of Insurance Adjusters

Public adjusters, like Pfister Adjusting, Inc. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Florida, act as an advocate for residential and commercial policyholders.  They advise and assist policyholders throughout the claim process and handle all correspondence with the insurance carrier.  Their job is to ensure the duties of the policyholder are fulfilled in order to protect covered losses.  Public claims adjusters review coverages and damages that often get overlooked by insurance companies.  There are no upfront costs and they only receive payment when the claim is settled.
Staff Adjusters work for one insurance company.  They receive a salary and benefits from the company for which they work and represent the insurance company during the claims process.
Independent Adjusters are claims adjusters that work as contractors for more than one insurance company or third-party administrator.  Typically, independent adjusters travel a great deal as they handle catastrophe claims that are submitted by areas hit with major weather events or emergencies.

Time Commitment Involved for Insurance Adjusters

The amount of time committed to an insurance adjuster position depends on the type of insurance adjuster you are.  Public adjusters, as well as independent adjusters, are more likely to work longer and irregular hours due to accommodating numerous clients’ schedules; whereas, a staff adjuster’s schedule is pretty much set, often 9 to 5, Monday through Friday and may be limited at each stop by the insurance carrier.

Public Insurance Adjusters Serving Pittsburgh and the Surrounding Areas

Founded in 2007, Pfister Adjusting Inc. is a full-service public adjuster firm whose number one goal is your indemnity.  For the past 12 years we have seen all types of claims and adjusters.  No claim is too small or too large or even too old, up to 2 years, for us to investigate.  From loss caused by lightning, fire, water, tornado, hurricane, wind, frozen pipes, an appliance break, etc., the team at Pfister Adjusting, Inc., works to get what is best for you.  If you are interested or are in need of assistance with a claim, call our highly qualified team at 412-719-6200. We have collected millions of dollars and have helped thousands of people!