Inspections
What is a third-party inspection?
When you file your insurance claim, your insurance company is required by law to make a prompt and thorough investigation of your claim. Unfortunately, these terms can be ambiguous.
The adjuster likely has many claims to inspect and deadlines by his employer to do so. So even if they get to you promptly, how can you know if the inspection they performed was thorough?
Contractors often do free roof inspections as a sales tool to sell roofs. Their assessment can provide insight into damages possible missed by the adjuster but can be tainted with their motive to get work.
Either or both of these inspectors can have good intentions but, in the end, have their motivation. Typically this leaves you with two very different opinions, so who do you choose?
The third-party inspector has no interest in the outcome of the claim, so he can frequently help you understand what your next steps should be.
Why do I need a third-party inspection?
If you are uneasy about the findings of your contractor, you may want to hire a third-party inspector to look at your property. Often, contractors will even pay for our services to see why the adjuster and contractor disagree on damage and if the claim has merit for appraisal.
Another reason you may want a third-party inspection is to confirm the work was appropriately performed by your contractor.
Who pays for the third-party inspector to inspect my property?
The inspection can be paid for by either you or your contractor.
Didn’t the Insurance company already do an inspection?
The Insurance company should inspect your property within 15 days of filing your claim. During a catastrophe, the deadlines are typically extended to 30 days. Frequently though, insurers aren’t using un-licensed adjusters to perform their inspections. The inspector may be a “virtual” inspector in our technology-driven times. The virtual inspector typically has little or no inspection experience and is on face time with an adjuster in the office. Lack of knowledge leads to considerable inspection problems. Your actual adjuster is dependent on the cameraman to show him the damage he may not even recognize.
Another common problem we see is ladder assist companies doing the adjuster inspection. Again these are unlicensed vendors that take pictures and write reports that the adjuster depends on to determine coverage.
The “inspector” is motivated by their employer.
Should I trust my insurance companies inspection?
Unfortunately, like most things nowadays, not all people do what's right, and not all people care.
Motives are always in question. The only way you can know for sure if you're getting a proper unbiased inspection is with a third party.
What is different from the third-party inspection done by the adjuster and contractor?
The inspections from your contractor, insurer, and a third party are all very different.
Insurance company inspectors are told to inspect and document apparent damage only. The goal is to meet the standard required by law and limit the bottom line payout. But the insurance adjuster is also looking for items in the policy that may not be covered and may exclude coverage. In addition, the insurance adjuster is looking for evidence that the claimed damages are in line with the policy coverage dates.
The contractor is focused on all damages and often can point out more damage than an insurance adjuster. Unfortunately, in some cases, these added damages aren’t from the current cause of loss and therefore are not covered in this claim.
At Honor Adjusting Services, our trained inspectors find all the damage and identify items that may not be covered. Further, they find supporting proof that might not be damaged at all but endorses the date of loss you filed.