Navigating Stormy Waters: The Importance of a Public Adjuster During Hurricane Season and Beyond

As hurricane season approaches, community associations and businesses in coastal regions brace themselves for potential devastation. With the threat of powerful storms looming, it becomes increasingly crucial to prepare for the worst-case scenarios. One vital component of preparation often overlooked is securing the services of a public adjuster. These professionals play a pivotal role in helping individuals and businesses navigate the complex waters of insurance claims in the aftermath of natural disasters like hurricanes. Let’s delve into why having a public adjuster is essential not only during hurricane season but year-round.

A public adjuster is a licensed professional who works on behalf of policyholders to evaluate, negotiate, and settle insurance claims. Unlike insurance company adjusters who represent the interests of the insurer, public adjusters advocate for the policyholder’s rights to ensure they receive fair and adequate compensation for their losses.

Why would you need a public adjuster during hurricane season? Public adjusters provide many things like expertise in insurance claims, maximizing your claims settlement, documenting evidence, and timely resolutions.

While the focus on public adjusters intensifies during hurricane season, our services are invaluable throughout the year for various reasons:

    1. Natural Disasters Beyond Hurricanes: While hurricanes pose a significant threat to coastal areas, other natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes can occur in different regions. Public adjusters provide assistance in navigating insurance claims arising from these events, ensuring that policyholders receive the support they need to rebuild and recover.
    2. Property Damage from Other Causes: Insurance claims may also arise from non-natural disaster-related incidents such as fires, burst pipes, vandalism, or theft. Public adjusters offer expertise in handling these claims, guiding policyholders through the process and advocating for their best interests.
    3. Complex Insurance Policies: Insurance policies can be complex documents filled with legal jargon and exclusions. Public adjusters help policyholders understand their coverage, identify potential gaps, and ensure that they receive the compensation they are entitled to under their policy.
    4. Mitigating Stress and Confusion: Dealing with insurance claims can be overwhelming, particularly in the aftermath of a disaster when emotions are running high. Public adjusters provide much-needed support and guidance, alleviating the stress and confusion associated with the claims process.

In conclusion, the importance of a public adjuster cannot be overstated, especially during hurricane season and in the aftermath of natural disasters. Their expertise, advocacy, and commitment to securing fair compensation for policyholders are invaluable assets in the journey towards recovery and rebuilding. By enlisting the services of a public adjuster, homeowners, associations and businesses can navigate the stormy waters of insurance claims with confidence and peace of mind.

Why Call Your Accountant Before the Hurricane?

Smart Associations plan for potential tribulations, such as Hurricanes; they contact their Management Company, Insurance Broker, Landscaper, etc.  Even smarter Associations contact their Accountant, and very smart Associations have Accountants that contact them, to assure the Board of Directors that proper procedures are setup to safeguard the Association’s financial records.

In
addition to safeguarding the financial records, have emergency checks to pay the
various Contractors that will be needed immediately for crucial services to
mitigate the damages caused by Mother Nature.

As
we all know, Contractors will first service those that can timely pay for
services and supplies.  If a horrific
hurricane hits our area, as it did in 2005, electric might be curtailed, offices
could be closed, how will you pay for necessary services?   At Accountsult, we take the time to prepare emergency
blank checks for our Association Clients.

It
is vital to have sophisticated state of the art computer backup files, software
and hardware that will insure immediate access if the Accountant’s office is
temporarily inaccessible.  Our office has
such systems and is paperless, which means that all documents are filed
electronically and copies can always be reproduced immediately from any
location.

Another service we provide to our Clients is the procurement of contingent credit lines, specifically setup for unexpected casualties such as hurricanes. Without an available line of credit or adequate funds to meet substantial expenditures, the only option is to emergency special assess every Unit Owner immediately. Plan ahead, anticipate the worst, hope for the best and call your Accountant.

Mark Buchalter; Accountsult, LLC
Monthly Accounting and Consulting for Condos and HOA’s
(954) 739-0310 www.Accountsult.com