AboutDeanna Terry Expertise I am qualified to answer questions about home owners personal property claims, especially fire claims. I am able to answer questions about A.C.V vs. Replacement Cost as well as the reality behind cleaning and restoration. I can answer questions regarding policy compliance as well as questions of what to do when you don't agree with the insurance company's adjuster.
Experience I have over 5 years of experience adjusting claims for home owners, not insurance companies. I was also a fire victim. I am the founder and President of a non-profit organization that assists fire victims in specific counties with filling out and filing their personal property claims.
Organizations President of 1st Hand fire victims assistance program
Education/Credentials Associates Degree in Business Administration
Specialty Courses in Insurance Adjusting
State Civil testing
Yearly Continuing education
Awards and Honors United Way Award for Community Service to Fire Victims
Question We are in the middle of a home fire claim with California FAIR Plan Association and they use independent adjusters. The adjuster has requested that we sign a sworn statement in proof of loss prior to the distribution of two checks both of which are partial ALE and partial structure coverage.
The adjuster submitted an estimate for the structure from his contractor, prior to us receiving a copy of it for review and comparison to our contractors estimate (which the adjuster had). His contractors estimate is incomplete and we are in the process of showing the adjuster items that were missed and other issues.
Basically we want to know if we will loose any rights or leverage in negotiations to a final agreed upon scope of loss for the structure, additional ALE and contents coverage by signing a proof of loss based upon an incomplete scope of loss.
Thank you,
Answer Hello Jeff,
Yes, you absolutely could be signing away rights.
A sworn proof of loss is your signed sworn statement as to your belief of the amount of loss.
You can comply with the request by filling in the proof of loss amounts as "undetermined". I submit Proofs of Loss filled out this way on behalf of clients regularly. Your defense is the amount is in dispute and therefore you are signing to the best of your knowledge and ability that the loss amount is indeed UNDETERMINED.
Already it is apparent the insurance company is making an attempt to lead you to an incorrect conclusion on your claim.
I highly recommend you seek professional assistance.
I will be happy to discuss with you your options and choices and assist you with fully understanding the process you are in the middle of. There is absolutely no fee for the consultation, I offer this in specific circumstances because I was in your position at one time. I am not seeking additional clients, most likely I am not even in your state so please have no concerns in this regard.
If you wish to discuss this further, please e-mail me through this site and mark it "private". I will then e-mail you my contact information.
