First, please accept our regret regarding your property loss. For over 26 years, we have been associated with business owners and homeowners who have suffered the tragic effects of fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and other perils. We understand the challenges that lie before you and have a keen awareness of the steps that should be taken to make certain that you fully recover. We care about your recovery and understand that few events in your life can match the emotional intensity and financial importance as a serious property loss can be. It takes years to acquire property and establish a business but only seconds to take it away. Therefore, a few minutes to ponder your situation and explore your options can be of benefit.

We also understand that many people have not heard about our type of service until they suffer a property loss; therefore, you may be curious or skeptical about a service that is involved with catastrophic events. We understand that insurance companies would prefer that loss consultants not be involved with their claims as they enjoy a more controlled and powerful position if the insured is uninformed in the process. This does not mean that insurance companies and their employees are bad people; however, many of the tasks that are required in your recovery can not or should not be performed by the insurance representatives.

Our service is to act on your behalf in negotiating the fair settlement of a claim for loss or damage under your policy of insurance. Similarly, the insurance company representative fulfills the company's obligations in the contract and works in the best interests of the company. There is nothing wrong with this equation. Inequity arises when less skilled people try to work their claim without the expertise and qualifications required to protect their interests. In these cases, it is very rare that a complete recovery is achieved and oftentimes, businesses fail or homeowners are required to pay for aspects of their recovery that are clearly the responsibility of the insurance carrier.

If you need help with your claim or would like for us to evaluate your position, contact us. If you plan to handle the claim on your own, the following information may be helpful:

Important Information Regarding The Claim Process

1.	An insurance claim starts by notifying the insurance carrier that a loss to your property has occurred. Since you know your property best, the company will expect you to detail the extent and amount of the damage you have sustained. This involves itemizing a scope of damage to structure and contents as well as valuations for debris removal, extra expense, business interruption and other coverages your policy may contain. Either perform this task yourself or hire someone to assist you. The insurance company will then examine your claim, and adjust it if they disagree with your claim analysis. Often the company adjuster's analysis and your analysis will be different. It is important that you know that as your licensed public adjuster, part of our job is to negotiate on your behalf to get the claim settled. The insurance carrier's adjuster represents the insurance company and is negotiating on its behalf. They usually do not know what you actually lost and many items are overlooked or not presented by you.
2.	Good insurance company adjusters view the loss from the prospective of the insurance company, resolving doubts in the company's favor. Their bosses often review their work, and the better they perform, the higher in the ranks they move.
3.	Many service companies will arrive to offer you assistance and will have answers to all of your problems. Be cautious of contractors and restoration companies, as well as loss consultants that aggressively approach you. Take the time to call the local Better Business Bureau and check references to establish their qualifications. Make certain that the loss consultant is licensed in your area and is a member of The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA).
4.	It has taken you many years and hard work to accumulate this property and the value of your home and/or business. Your claim may actually settle in the hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars. Slow down and take the time to evaluate your position and realize that the claim money is yours to spend as you decide. In other words, avoid foolish or wasteful expenses and keep a close eye to detail. Like most people you probably spent an extensive amount of time and research in the purchase of the property; make certain you treat your recovery with the same care.
5.	Question everything and analyze the motives and position of each of the players in your recovery process. Analyze why someone would not want a loss consultant on your claim and consider his or her reasoning. If the source of any negativity comes from the insurance company, question why they would prefer you not have a professional on your side, equalizing the playing field.
6.	For information about your insurance company and complaints lodged against it check out: Texas Department of Insurance Federal Citizen Information Center
7.	If you and your insurance carrier can not agree on the loss, seek help. You may want to hire a licensed public insurance adjuster such as Jansen International to negotiate the claim.. Some claims can be resolved through an appraisal process involving independent appraisers and an umpire. Look at your policy to see if it provides for an appraisal, and hire professional help as indicated herein if you decide to initiate the appraisal procedure.
8.	Don't be a statistic. As per FEMA, 46% of businesses that suffer a major loss fail within the first year of recovery. Plan your recovery and hire a professional to manage your best interests in the process.
9.	Insurance companies will rarely tell you about the preceding 8 points.