Most property insurance cases historically adjusted by public adjusters 100 years ago involved fire because that peril was the predominant peril insured before the advent of the open peril, aka “all risk” insurance form, which has largely replaced the fire policy. All public adjusters should have a basic understanding of fire science and how fire … The post Fire Science—John Lentini’s Book, Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation, Is a Must-Own Reference For Those Involved With Fire Losses and Claims appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog ..read more

Fire investigator Mike Koster of Reliant Investigations was a featured speaker at the Pacific Coast Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (PCAPIA) Spring Conference this week. I was impressed with his knowledge of physics, chemistry, and fire dynamics. It was not always this way in the fire investigation field, where many people were wrongfully accused and … The post Fire Cause and Origin and the Junk Science of Arson Investigations appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog ..read more

When property damage occurs, the subsequent insurance claim process can be daunting. Understanding the nuances of how insurance companies handle claims is crucial for ensuring that you’re adequately compensated. At Merlin Law Group, we empower policyholders with the knowledge they need to navigate these challenging times confidently. Here are critical insights every policyholder should consider … The post Navigating Property Insurance Claims: Essential Insights for Policyholders appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog ..read more

The Insurance Journal article written by William Rabb, Update: Fannie Mae Guidelines Raise Concerns, Could Bar ACV Coverage for Homes, has reported and highlighted the problem of actual cash value policies violating mortgage requirements. The article noted: An updated guideline from Fannie Mae, if it stands, could throw a wrench into the property-casualty insurance industry’s move toward … The post Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Guidelines to Insure at Full Replacement Cost Finally Hit the Insurance Media appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog ..read more

A Kansas federal judge will make a real-life decision regarding the selection of an umpire for an appraisal. Want to guess what the judge will do? Federated Mutual has nominated two potential umpires: Hugh O’Hara of MacGuire O’Hara Construction in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Bill Freeland of Preferred Roofing in Bethany, Oklahoma. Here are their … The post Who Would You Pick as the Umpire If You Were the Judge? appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog ..read more

Let’s not kid ourselves: The insurance claim process is stressful. And the fact that you’re probably only going through it because something bad has happened probably makes it worse! Read on to learn more about sublimits and deductibles in insurance policies and how to make sure you’re protected to the fullest extent. What Is a … The post What Is a “Sublimit” in Insurance? appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog ..read more

A court recently indicated that once one appraisal panel completes a portion of disputed coverage amounts and does not indicate that more items are to be determined by that panel, a new set of appraisers can be named to determine the remaining issues of dispute: 1 Does the Appraisal Provision expressly require one set of … The post Can Different Appraisal Panels Be Appointed to Decide Different Matters? appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog ..read more

Let’s not kid ourselves: The insurance claim process is stressful. And the fact that you’re probably only going through it because something bad has happened probably makes it worse! Read on to learn more about sublimits and deductibles in insurance policies and how to make sure you’re protected to the fullest extent. What Is a … The post What Is a “Sublimit” in Insurance? appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog ..read more

At the RMAPIA conference this week, a public adjuster from Arizona asked if an insurer could appoint its own estimator of a loss as an appraiser. To answer this question, I first used the search function on this blog. I almost asked her why she did not do the same thing. So, the first lesson … The post Can an Appraiser Be Biased As a Result of Making a Prior Estimate that the Insurer Is Relying Upon? appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog ..read more

In the fast-paced world of insurance claims, overlooking the fine print of an insurance policy can lead to dire consequences. From missed deadlines to unexpected coverage limitations, failing to review your client’s policy thoroughly can leave you and your clients vulnerable to significant financial losses. This holds true for roofers, contractors, public adjusters, and policyholders … The post Reviewing the Insurance Policy: Protect Interests and Avoid Costly Mistakes appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog ..read more