Married couple reading letter from insurance company requesting Proof of Loss form

Proof of Loss Form Submissions: One Letter That Can Decide the Fate of an Insurance Claim

December 30, 2025 No Comments

A Proof of Loss submission is a critical contractual requirement that can significantly impact the outcome of an insurance claim. When a policyholder fails to submit the form—whether sworn or unsworn—within the timeframes required by the policy or state administrative rules, insurers may deny, reduce, or limit coverage regardless of the legitimacy of the underlying damage. Many policyholders mistakenly rely on contractors or assume that estimates and invoices satisfy the requirement, but courts often enforce Proof of Loss deadlines strictly once the insurer has provided written notice. Missing or improperly executing this submission can eliminate negotiating leverage, impair appraisal or litigation rights, and, in some cases, permanently bar recovery. #Proof of Loss #POL #SPOL #Deadline

Insurance Claim Deadlines That Are Frequently Missed — and Why They Matter

December 30, 2025 No Comments

Insurance policies impose strict deadlines that can significantly affect a property owner’s ability to recover full claim benefits after a loss. Commonly missed requirements include timely notice of loss, sworn proof of loss submissions, deadlines to complete repairs in order to recover depreciation, and suit limitation clauses that restrict how long a policyholder has to pursue legal action. These deadlines often continue running even while a claim is being adjusted or negotiated, and missing them can reduce or permanently bar recovery. Understanding and tracking these contractual time limits is critical to protecting coverage rights and avoiding preventable claim denials. #POL #SPOL #Suit Limitation #Proof of Loss

Public Adjuster Overcoming Fee Concerns and Building Strong Customer Relationships

Overcoming Fee Concerns To Build Strong Client Relationships

November 28, 2025 No Comments

Many homeowners initially hesitate to hire a public adjuster because they worry that paying a fee will reduce their ability to complete repairs. These concerns often arise from fear, confusion about the insurance process, and the mistaken belief that the carrier’s adjuster represents their interests. Public adjusters can overcome these concerns by reframing the conversation around outcomes, not costs—showing how professional documentation, code analysis, and negotiation typically increase the overall recovery well beyond the fee. Sharing real examples, acknowledging emotional stress, clearly outlining the adjuster’s role, and offering simple explanations help build trust and clarity.

Effective client relationships begin with transparency, mutual understanding, and clear expectations about how the partnership works. Public adjusters must also take special care when working with elderly, disabled, or otherwise vulnerable policyholders, ensuring compliance with consumer-protection laws and providing extra clarity and sensitivity. When handled thoughtfully, fee concerns become an opportunity to educate, reassure, and form stronger, more collaborative client relationships.

Walking the Line: Staying Neutral When Ego Enters the Room

October 30, 2025 No Comments

When two parties clash over ego or personality differences, resolving the issue often becomes less about facts and more about feelings. Professionals caught in the middle must balance empathy with objectivity — listening to both sides without being drawn into personal loyalties or emotional narratives.

Maintaining neutrality requires a focus on documentation, process, and shared objectives rather than assigning fault. Clear communication, factual summaries, and forward-looking language help redirect energy toward productive solutions. Setting healthy boundaries and avoiding private alliances preserve credibility and prevent further escalation.

Ultimately, successful conflict resolution relies on professionalism, transparency, and emotional discipline — guiding all sides toward mutual respect and a common outcome, even when egos are at their loudest.

Balancing fair practices when handling insurance claims

When “Too Late” Isn’t Fair: Allstate’s Holdback Refusals and Ohio’s 60-Day Notice Rule

October 22, 2025 No Comments

Allstate and other insurers are increasingly denying replacement cost benefits by citing a 180-day deadline found in their “How We Pay for a Loss” and “Building Structure Reimbursement” provisions. Policyholders who complete repairs and request payment afterward are sometimes told their claim is “untimely” — even when no prior warning was given. Under Ohio Administrative Code 3901-1-54(G)(5), insurers must provide written notice at least 60 days before any contractual limitation expires if the claimant is not represented by counsel. Failure to do so can invalidate the carrier’s reliance on the 180-day rule. This article explains the legal duty to notify, outlines defenses against untimely denial, and offers best practices for public adjusters and policyholders to protect recovery rights when carriers fail to communicate looming deadlines.

Who Determines an Appraiser’s Competence?

October 13, 2025 No Comments

As more appraisers transition to independent practice, questions arise about who ensures their ongoing competence beyond reputation and certification. While professional organizations like IAUA, WIND, and P.L.A.N. provide voluntary training, oversight has largely been self-regulated — until now. Iowa recently became one of the first states to require a Certified Appraiser license for insurance appraisal work, signaling a move toward greater accountability. This article explores how that change may reshape expectations of competence, regulation, and professional credibility in the insurance appraisal industry.

When the Umpire Goes Silent: Replacing an Umpire in the Insurance Appraisal Process

October 8, 2025 No Comments

When an appointed Umpire in an insurance appraisal becomes unresponsive for months, the entire process can stall — leaving policyholders without resolution and appraisers under pressure. This article explains when it’s appropriate to request a new Umpire, who has the authority to make that change, and how fees are typically handled if the Umpire has already been paid. It also outlines best practices for documenting communication, seeking mutual consent, or petitioning the court when necessary. Replacing an Umpire isn’t ideal, but when prolonged inaction undermines the purpose of appraisal, substitution may be both justified and necessary.

Does Spatter Matter? The Debate Over Hail Verification and Aluminum Siding

October 7, 2025 No Comments

When hail hits, everyone starts looking for proof — and “hail spatter” often becomes the focus of debate. Does the presence or absence of spatter really determine whether damage is recent or covered? This article explores both sides of the argument, from the contractor’s field perspective to the attorney’s view of the carrier’s duty to investigate. Ultimately, while spatter can help tell the story of a storm, it’s only one clue in a much larger picture.

Should Contractors Refer All Insurance Clients to a Preferred Public Adjuster?

October 1, 2025 No Comments

Restoration contractors often work alongside public adjusters during insurance claims, but referring all clients to a single preferred public adjuster may not always be the best practice. This article explores the pros and cons of such blanket referrals, including benefits like streamlined communication and fairer settlements, as well as risks like licensing issues, conflicts of interest, and reputation damage. It also outlines best practices for making ethical, transparent, and legally compliant referrals that prioritize the client’s best interest. The goal is to help contractors build trust while supporting efficient and fair claims resolution.

Part III: Building a Sustainable Future for Public Adjusters Amid Regulatory Reform

September 29, 2025 No Comments

As the insurance industry adapts to the 2024 NCOIL Public Adjuster Professional Standards Reform Model Act, public adjusters are being called to modernize their practices. Part III of this series explores proactive compliance strategies, transparent fee structures, and ethical referral relationships that can help public adjusters thrive in a more regulated environment. Rather than resisting reform, the article encourages adjusters to lead with professionalism, clarity, and strategic foresight.

Tag: Insurance

Proof of Loss Form Submissions: One Letter That Can Decide the Fate of an Insurance Claim

Insurance Claim Deadlines That Are Frequently Missed — and Why They Matter

Overcoming Fee Concerns To Build Strong Client Relationships

Walking the Line: Staying Neutral When Ego Enters the Room

When “Too Late” Isn’t Fair: Allstate’s Holdback Refusals and Ohio’s 60-Day Notice Rule

Who Determines an Appraiser’s Competence?

When the Umpire Goes Silent: Replacing an Umpire in the Insurance Appraisal Process

Should Contractors Refer All Insurance Clients to a Preferred Public Adjuster?

Part III: Building a Sustainable Future for Public Adjusters Amid Regulatory Reform

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