Archive for Fire
Chicago Public Adjusters | Insured Property Owners Rights
Posted by: | CommentsPublic Adjusters | Residential Property Loss | 773.529.9500
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Public Adjuster | Musick Loss Management | 773.529.9500
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Public Adjusters | Warning, The Insurance Company’s Adjuster is NOT on your side!
Posted by: | CommentsAttention all insured property owners… The insurance company’s adjuster can not simultaneously represent your interests and that of the company. It is law that you the property owner are entitled to independent representation by a public adjuster when you file your claim! If you have questions or concerns about getting a fair settlement, call Musick Loss Management today! 773.529.9500
Public Adjuster | Fire Diaries #1 | Thank you Musick Loss Management!
Posted by: | CommentsIt was Tuesday, July 20th and a hot sunny one at that. I still remember that I was in a particularly happy mood and had on a pink v-neck t-shirt and dark blue jeans to emphasize my perky spirits. Little did I know that on this day my home would be fully engulfed in flames and one of the worst disasters of my life was about to occur. Read More→
Public Adjusters | Reconstruction | Musick Loss Management
Posted by: | CommentsPublic Adjuster | Chicago’s Musick Loss Management | Tips for Insured Property Owners
Posted by: | CommentsTips for Insured Property Owners #1 from Musick Loss Management, Chicago’s #1 Public Adjustment and Restoration Firm.
The business of public adjusting is authorized and regulated by each state’s department of insurance, whose function is to protect consumers by providing assistance and information and regulating the insurance industry. As a policyholder, you are entitled to hire an adjuster to work on your behalf and present your case to your insurance company. It would be a serious violation of your rights for an insurance company to discriminate against you in any way for exercising a right granted to you by state legislature. If you have questions or need an advocate on your side, call 773.529.9500
Salvage Your Personal Property from Fire Damage
Posted by: | CommentsCooking Utensils
Wash all pots, pans and flatware with soapy water and then rinse and finish by polishing with a fine-powdered cleaner. Copper and brass can be polished with salt and a fresh lemon wedge.
Electrical Appliances
Until you have had a service person out to check your appliances, do not use anything that has been vulnerable to water or steam. Also be advised to have the gas or electric company turn your service back on – rather than doing it yourself – if the fire department shut off your gas or power.
Food
Wash canned goods and any food stored in jars with detergent and water. Do not use canned goods with rust or bulges and never refreeze frozen foods that have thawed. Wash the inside of your fridge and freezer with baking soda and water to remove odors.
Rugs and Carpets
Dry rugs as quickly as possible by laying them flat and circulating warm air. Turn on a fan to speed up drying time. Throw rugs can be beat, vacuumed and shampooed for cleaning. Check that rugs and carpets are completely dry, as they can rot if dampness persists at the carpet base. Contact a qualified carpet cleaning professional or a local carpet installer for more details on preserving and cleaning carpets.
Leather
Swab your leather articles with a damp cloth and then wipe with a dry cloth. To retain shape, pack items with newspaper and leave any suitcases open. Dry your leather items away from heat or sun and clean with saddle soap once dry. Leather and suede jackets can be rinsed in cool water and dried away from the heat and sun.
Books
Wet books should be handled promptly. Freezing wet books in a special freezer called a vacuum freezer will remove the excess moisture without damaging the pages. If you cannot locate a vacuum freezer immediately, place books in a normal freezer until you do. Your local library may also be a good source of information in how to take care of damaged books.
Locks and Hinges
Locks should be separated and wiped with oil, particularly those made of iron. If locks cannot be unfastened, spread machine oil by squirting through keyhole or opening. Also clean and oil hinges and knobs carefully.
Walls, Floors and Furniture
Smoke and soot can be washed off walls, floors and furniture using a mild soap or detergent. When cleaning walls, work in small areas and rinse with warm water at once. Dry walls and furniture thoroughly. Conclude with washing ceilings last.
Wood Furniture
Wipe off soot, remove drawers and cleanse with a stiff brush and cleaning solution. Dry carefully in a well-ventilated area so wood does not decay. Do not dry furniture in the sun.
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What Musick Loss Management Provides You with During the Insurance Claims Process
Posted by: | CommentsPerform a thorough assessment of your insurance policy.
Aid you in following your policy’s stipulations, such as being mindful of time limitations and mitigating further damage.
Strategize a claim management plan that increases your financial recovery.
Administer an extensive evaluation of your property loss by meticulously researching, detailing and supporting all aspects of your claim, including damage, contents and extra living expense claims.
Arrange and provide your insurer with an itemized claim package.
Advocate on your behalf at all meetings and inspections with your insurance company.
Obtain the best possible settlement for you in the shortest amount of time.
Communicate with you continuously throughout the entire claims process.
Finding a Reputable Public Claims Adjuster
Contact your accountant, lawyer, neighbors and friends to find out if they have ever used a public adjuster or if they know someone who has. Your insurance company is also a good place to inquire about hiring a reputable public adjuster. It may sound like a conflict of interest but your agent may know of an adjuster with a good standing in the industry.
Many states regulate and license public adjusters and you can check if yours comes highly regarded by calling your state insurance office. Also be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau to look into any complaints that may have been filed against the adjuster.
Get in touch with the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, a trade organization that sustains a searchable database with adjusters with two or more years of experience. The organization also provides a certification program that requires adjusters with five or more years of experience in the field to pass a rigorous exam.
Once you have been referred to a few adjusters, inquire about their rates, efficiency, references and credentials. Contact the adjusters’ references and question their clients about how well the adjuster performed their duties.
Why Use a Public Adjuster
Posted by: | CommentsWhen your home has been damaged due to fire, flood or other disaster, it may be to your benefit to work with a public insurance claims adjuster rather than dealing exclusively with your insurance company. A public adjuster works solely for policyholders and never for insurance companies to ensure that there is no conflict of interest when it comes to advocating on your behalf to your insurer.
Since you are hiring the adjuster, they will negotiate with your insurance company during the entire claims process to make sure that you receive the settlement you are entitled to. As you rebuild your home or business, a public claims adjuster will understand the legalities of your insurance policy and establish the best strategy for presenting your claim.
An adjuster also knows the ins and outs of the insurance process and can document all the details as well as file all your paperwork, arrange property inspections and deal with your insurance company if they refuse to pay your full claim. By choosing a public claims adjuster, you are guaranteeing your right to achieve the maximum insurance recovery that you deserve.
