AboutJames R Carrier Expertise I'm an insurance adjuster, I'm able to answer questions regarding coverage, damage valuation, or anything to do with property & casualty in the State of Michigan. In other states I can answer general questions but insurance policies are written slightly different depending on insurance law in a particular state. Most questions however I would be able to answer or have the ability to get an answer.
Experience 20 years as a licsensed adjuster, handling 1000's of homeowners claims in Michigan, and Louisiana (Hurricane Katrina).
Education/Credentials Business degree with an emphasis on accounting from Arizona State University, graduating in the Fall of 1984.
Question Quickly, I have a family member who has had multiple problems from 'possible' lightening
strikes at their house......i.e. air conditioner, stereo, tv, fans,frig,problem with the fuse box
and smaller items. She was told today that her claim will be turned over to the catastrophic
dept. Will this mean that the claim will take much longer?
It is summer, they need their air conditioning and get back to life! They have lived in their
home for over 40 years and only one claim. So I am assuming that the home owners
insurance will be fair.........right? Is there something that she needs to look out for or say
that will insure prompt favorable response from the insurance company? ANYTHING you
have to say to help and will be appreciated! God bless!
Answer Dear Andrea,
The only reason the claim was termed Catastrophic was there had to be a substantial amount of claims filed in your family members area.
The insurance company brings in adjusters from all around the country to assist with the claims. The reason they do this is to actually speed up the claim process, as they feel they don't have proper staffing to handle the multitude of claims. They will be dealing chances are with a young adjuster from outside there area. The reason they will be young is the more senior adjusters have families and significant others who don't want to travel, cat adjusters are always on the road.
The downside to a cat adjuster is there not from the area, and are not in the area to take your complaining if you don't like the outcome. All in all it depends on the adjuster that is assigned and there work habits on whether they will be prompt and work on your claim to get his/her work done.
Ultimately it is the homeowners job to present the claim anyhow, tell your family member to make a claim. Write down all that is damaged and the price to replace the item, if it can be fixed get repair bills together. As far as the air conditioner this is part of the building claim, have a heating a cooling bid to fix the problem with the air conditioner ready when they meet the adjuster.
The speed of the insurance company has less to do with the adjuster that with the homeowner. That is why if you have a major claim your better off hiring a Public Adjuster who produces the claim for you, on this claim being on the small side have them put the paper work together give the adjuster 5 business days with it in his hands and then start complaining about how slow he/she is on your claim.
