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Ship owners and marine businesses should have marine insurance policies to cover them against losses, damages, injuries, or death. Many ship owners do not understand or know the intricacies of their marine insurance policies, which is needed when making a claim. Knowing what is involved with marine insurance claims is necessary if your vessel is damaged, or if there is an injury on board. Here’s what you need to know when filing a marine insurance claim in Palm Beach. Documents for Marine Insurance Claims Marine insurance policies cover boats, yachts, and vessels against all risks at sea. Most people don’t really bother knowing about this type of insurance, but it’s important to know in the case of an event. When you are going to file a claim, it’s key that you have your insurance documents in order. Here is what your marine insurance agent will ask for when you are getting ready to file a claim. A copy of your marine insurance policy Copies of paperwork related to the vessel and claim such as the Bill of Lading, copy of protest, certificate of survey, and letter of subrogation Photos of damage to the vessel or equipment Photos of damaged or incomplete cargo Copies of communication regarding the incident and losses Photos, evidence, and other relevant documentation Types of Marine Insurance Policies Similar to a car, boats and yachts have different types of policies that can either cover your vessel partially if damaged, or if there is a total loss. Knowing what your policy covers helps you understand what the payout will be in the event of damage or loss of your marine equipment. Here are the types of marine insurance policies that you may have for your vessel. Specific Policy – Covers a single consignment Marine Open Policy – Valid for 1 year and covers frequent dispatches within the country Marine Open Cover – Also valid for 1 year and covers frequent dispatches outside of the country, both imports and exports. Marine Sales Turnover Policy – Customizable and covers specifics types of transit What Damages Do Marine Insurance Claims Cover? Whether you are keeping your vessel in storage, or docking it at a port, marine insurance policies have you covered. Knowing the details of your policy helps you understand what damages are covered. For example, if you need to file a claim for your yacht in Palm Beach, filing a marine insurance claim can have you covered if one the following events happen: Lighting Theft Injury Grounding Collision Fire/Explosion Striking Submerged Object Weather/Wind Sinking Hurricane Does Marine Insurance Cover More Than My Boat? The simple answer is yes, marine insurance policies cover more than just the vessel (dependant on the coverage you select). For example, if your business owns cargo ships, marine insurance covers damages and losses to your cargo. Also, the coverage extends to personnel on the vessel, if they sustain an injury on board. Reliant Adjusters Group is a licensed, professional public adjuster group in the state of Florida. We provide adjuster service for residential and commercial property owners who have suffered an insured loss. Not only do we represent marine equipment owners who need to file a claim, but we represent those who have damages to their home and other insured property. Contact us today if you have questions about a marine insurance claim in Palm Beach or general insurance claim questions for your property in Palm Beach County.

If you are a Boca Raton home, boat, or yacht owner, it is smart to have a positive relationship with a local Boca Raton Public Adjuster. In the event of an accident or an act of god that damages your property, you will need to file a claim with your insurance company. However, insurance companies will do everything possible not to pay you for your claim. The best Boca Raton Public Insurance Adjusters will fight for you to get the maximum settlement you deserve. Public Adjusters Licenses Florida is among the 44 U.S. states that regulate licensed public adjusters. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners governs the required qualifications and procedures for becoming a licensed public adjuster. A public adjuster is simply a person who acts on behalf of an insured party. Licenses are state issued and only allow adjusters to practice in the state where the license was issued. Most commonly, public adjusters represent clients regarding claims on a property such as homes or commercial buildings. Responsibilities of Public Adjusters A property owner can hire a public adjuster to handle their entire claim process, from documentation to filing and expedite. Bringing in a public adjuster allows the owner to remove themselves from what can be a tedious and frustrating process of dealing with a large insurance corporation and their processes. Common responsibilities of public adjusters include: Examine the existing insurance policy to determine available coverage and what should be covered by an insurance claim Researching and details the damage sustained to the subject property, its contents, and any additional expenses. Calculate and losses due to business interruption Determine the value the property loss or cost to repair damages Compile all documentation and prepare support for the claim on behalf of the client Negotiate settlements on behalf of the insured party Represent insured parties when appealing claims based on discrepancies found following a settlement. Public Adjuster Fees The fees a public adjuster charges are more commonly determined based on a percentage of the claim settlement. The cost of the public adjuster and usually offset but and increase settlement amount that they secure for you. When to Hire a Public Adjuster In the event of a loss or damage to your property, it is best to bring a public adjuster on board right away. Insurance companies have their own adjusters that visit the policyholder to gather as much information as possible about the damage and search for any incomplete, conflicting, incorrect details. Anything they find can cause the settlement amount to go down. They can also assist with negotiations or with filing an appeal if a settlement is reached based on discrepancies. If you recently suffered property loss or damage to a home, boat, or yacht located in Palm Beach County due to an accident or an act of nature, then you need to file an insurance claim as quickly as possible. Before you get too far into the claims process, look into hiring a Boca Raton public adjuster. Adjusters will oversee the whole claims process for you, documenting every detail and communicating with the insurance company on your behalf. They will handle the negotiations and work hard to get you the maximum settlement possible. At Reliant Public Adjusters, we are experienced in representing clients on both homeowners insurance and marine insurance claims. Call Now to Talk with a Boca Raton Public Insurance Adjuster! (561)929-9826

As the owner of a boat, yacht, or other watercraft, is it important to understand your marine insurance policy and be prepared in the event that you need to make a marine insurance claim. Boats are expensive enough as is, so you want to make sure to understand your policy and what kind of coverage you actually have. Another thing that is often overlooked is knowing what is expected of you in order to properly file a marine insurance claim. The History of Marine Insurance Marine insurance is actually the oldest form of modern insurance. Making its first appearance in London during the 17th century. During this time, ships were commonly used for travel, trade, and so much more. However, the ship owners had to deal with the risks of marine travel. Ship and cargo owners began meeting with private investors to ensure ships in the event of any unforeseeable events or tragedy. Protect Your Investment Boats can be an expensive asset. They require almost constant maintenance and a high rate of repair. Often, repairs are followed by a storm that develops quickly and floods the boat, or heavy winds that overturn the boat. A Marine policy will cover some if not all of the costs for repairs or replacements if an event cover under the policy occurs and causes damage. Hire a Professional An insurance adjuster that is well versed in marine claims would be the best person to get advice and help from when choosing a policy or filing a claim. In fact, in the event of an accident, you may want to contact an adjuster prior to contacting the insurance company. As mentioned earlier, one misstep could cost you the claim. A marine insurance claims adjuster will walk you through every step in filing a claim to maximize the probability of your claim being accepted. Do not be short-changed by your marine insurance provider. Get your boat and marine equipment replaced, repaired, and back in business in a timely manner when you hire Reliant Adjusters Group to represent you. Our experienced adjusters will have your back so you can breathe easy. In the event of an accident that causes damage to your boat, yacht, or other marine craft, call us at 561-929-9826.

What is a Claims Adjuster? A public claims adjuster, also known as an insurance adjuster, public adjuster, public insurance adjuster, insurance claims specialist, or private adjuster, is a professional advocate for a policyholder who helps assess, appraise, and negotiate the amount of monetary compensation a person should be paid out by an insurance company for any claims made on covered damage to their home, business, vehicles, assets, or relevant property. A claims adjuster who represents the rights of the insurance company is known as a Company Adjuster or Independent Adjuster. This is why it is often absolutely important for policyholders to utilize the services of their own claims adjuster in order to get a fair settlement. Filing a damage claim after a disaster or damaging event is incredibly stressful without adding extra hassles or headaches from the insurance company. Do I need a claims adjuster for every damage claim? Policyholders don’t always need the help of a public adjuster but more often than not, the assistance is critical (and especially wise for any claims above $10,000). When do I call a claims adjuster? As a rule of thumb, the biggest settlements come when the policyholder calls the public adjuster from the very beginning, allowing their professional claims specialist to properly assess and document the damage and circumstances from step 1. Many homeowners or policyholders will hire an adjuster only when they become unhappy with the adjuster who has been assigned by the insurance company, but this can add another 30-60 days to the process and force both parties to revisit the elements already gone over, making the job more difficult for the public adjuster who is forced to step in and play catch up. Is a claims adjuster worth the cost? A good public adjuster will work on your behalf to get you every cent of value out of your claim, but even with a good public adjuster, the insurance company is not going to comply with everything a policyholder feels is fair. Yet even within the limitations set forth by the insurance company, according to statistical facts put forth by the Florida Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, policyholders who hire a Florida public adjuster receive over 5 times more money than those who don’t. And according to average claims data, policyholders who hired a public adjuster for non-catastrophic claims received 574% more in their settlements than those who handled the claims themselves. That is a very large return on investment. The fact that they only get paid when you do, and receive a small percentage off the top of the claim settlement is a strong motivating factor, and their professional knowledge and experience enables them to ensure that your claim is not minimized. Where do I find a good claims adjuster? Now that you have an answer to what is a claims adjuster, it’s time to figure out how to find the right one. Word of mouth, referrals from trusted sources, and community reputation are three of the biggest factors for choosing a good public adjuster and avoiding a fly by night company. If you live in South Florida and ask around, you will likely run into contractors, business owners, homeowners, boaters, and commercial managers who will recommend Reliant Adjusters Group out of Boca Raton. Tom is an experienced and well-liked claims specialist who will help you get the best settlement on your claims. Feel free to check out his public insurance adjuster’s website for more information or give him a call (561) 929-9826 to inquire about references or discuss your claim needs.

Boat Insurance & Marine Insurance The Palm Beach International Boat show is truly a special event showcasing everything from fishing boats to super yachts with all the name brand equipment and electronics. Over the years boats have increasingly become more technologically advanced. Radar systems, GPS, satellite television, and autopilot are just some of the features that boats come with today. For some it seems that every year a newer more advanced option is available. These newer features and technology comes with a hefty price tag, usually in the tens of thousands of dollars and up. Hopefully when anything goes wrong you are insured and can collect the full value of your investments through comprehensive boat insurance claims and marine insurance claims. Reliant Adjusters, a public insurance adjusters group based out of Boca Raton, ensures that when you work with Reliant Adjusters you get the full value of your marine insurance claim, and we help get everything handled so you can get back to life as usual without all the hassle. Marine Insurance Claim Marine insurance is very important to have but perhaps more importantly, be sure you have the right policy which covers for the type of vessel you have and the vessels purpose. Make sure your new electronics are covered in the policy too, as some policies will have a separate coverage limit for electronics and equipment. Keep your service records of the boat, when it is repaired, when new equipment is installed, how many hours are on the engines and generators, etc. Marine vessels are susceptible to many different perils including: water damage from salt water exposure, lightning strikes, mechanical and structural failure, striking submerged obstructions, and inclement weather, just to name a few. Hiring a public insurance adjuster can be very valuable to properly document and negotiate your marine claim. Ask yourself, do you fully understand your insurance policy and how long it takes to complete the claim investigation? When is the insurance company required to make a decision on your claim? Can I hire my own marine surveyor? Hiring proper representation will relieve you of many of these unknowns that most boat owners and captains have to handle on their own. The insurance policy is in place to indemnify the vessel’s policy holder. That means if the vessel cannot be repaired to its pre-loss condition, then replacement may be the only option to consider. At Reliant Adjusters Group have the experience and expertise it takes to assist with marine claims and get you every penny of your value. Our public adjusters will assist in a thorough investigation to make sure that every part of your marine claim has been reviewed. Call us today regarding your marine insurance claim and let the experts get you the biggest settlement possible. We serve the entire state of Florida including the Florida Keys.

Commercial insurance claims can be very different than residential homeowner’s insurance claims. Structures in Palm Beach County such as warehouses, business plazas, or medical offices generally are written under a commercial insurance lines policy. Policy coverages vary widely from one commercial insurance company to another and should be reviewed before purchasing. Structural damages not only effect the building envelope but may also effect the business’s operations. Many businesses will also purchase business interruption coverage. This coverage will protect a Florida business from loss of income during the period of restoration. The period of restoration is defined in the policy and may vary depending on the type of business that is being run. There are also opportunities to purchase extended coverage. Imagine you are operating a fresh produce business. If you are temporarily closed due to power outages, which resulted from a lightning strike, you may lose all of your inventory in a matter of days. How would you recover from the loss of product? How many customers will you lose while you are waiting on restocking your product?  Where do you find the resources to keep paying your payroll in order to keep your employees? What happens if the insurance adjuster delays the settlement until well past when you can afford to continue operations? If you think you have a commercial insurance claim in Florida please call Reliant Adjusters Group. We are here to assist with your commercial claims needs. It is common to see that commercial insurance policies tend to exclude coverage of matching undamaged materials such as continuous paint, continuous flooring or matching undamaged cabinetry. If your business has suffered from water damage, fire damage or any other types of damages, we are here to assist with your insurance claim needs. Our team is highly skilled in understanding insurance policies and negotiating with the insurance adjuster to get the best settlement for your business. It takes a trained professional to understand the construction costs, as well as the timing and scheduling that may impact the total claim amount and how your business gets back on track. If you are frustrated with an insurance adjuster not returning your calls or delaying the claims process, then its time you hired a professional public insurance adjuster to assist with your commercial insurance claim. You may also consider Shipping/Cargo insurance and Marine insurance as part of the commercial insurance arena. It is not uncommon to encounter damaged items from shipping containers. Insurance coverages may vary from one freight insurance company to another, so make sure you purchase the correct insurance that covers the items value. Occasionally heavy equipment in the process of loading and unloading cargo can damage shipped items such as marine vessels, appliances, electronics, and other expensive items. Shipping containers are vulnerable to damage during loading, damage in transit, water damage, stolen or lost. Make sure to hire a professional that on your side. Call Reliant Adjusters Group now and we will gladly review your policy & insurance claim information.

Vandalism Damage Claims As a landlord in Florida, you worry about many things. The prime worry is damage to your property that is caused by the weather. Roofs may start leaking, and natural disasters may damage other areas of the home that you own. Because you have tenants living inside, it is important to get damages fixed immediately so that their way of life is not altered. They depend on you to keep the roof over their head in the best condition, which is reiterated monthly with the delivery of their monthly payment. Inspecting your property regularly can help prevent these damages, but there are also other damaged that you can encounter. Unfortunately, when you decide that your tenant has to leave, they may become angry. It doesn’t matter if it was for lack of monthly rent or the sale of the property that they inhabit. They won’t be happy that you are asking them to leave the place that they call home, and will see it as you are uprooting their family. Most will just start packing and relocate to another favorable apartment, but some may become destructive. Before they leave, they might ruin glass windows, or stream the walls with graffiti with paint or other materials that they find around the home. In worse scenarios, they could even set the home on fire! If they have the mentality of “If I can’t live here, no one can!” this unfortunate event could occur. Document all damages that you can see and take pictures to prove that the damage exists. (It is also beneficial to take photos of the apartment before your tenants move in.) The insurance company will need to see the damaged that is being claimed and will need something to compare it to. Of course, it is imperative to know the legality of dealing with such damage. Vandalism is a criminal act in Florida and might make your claim more complicated when you contact your home insurer.  Contacting a Florida public adjuster may be beneficial as they have experience in these matters and will ensure that everything is being done properly.  They will help you get the job done and get your apartment back in working order so that you can move forward on your next endeavor. If you need to speak to a local public adjuster regarding a vandalism claim in South Florida you can call us at 561-929-9826. #VandalismDamageClaims

Theft and Burglary Damage Claims Imagine that you are just getting home from work after a long, hard day at the office. You pull up to your house and notice that the glass on your front door appears to be broken. You immediately get that sinking feeling in your stomach as you put your car in park and turn the key to the off position. Walking toward the door, you sigh heavily as you turn the knob and it opens. You didn’t leave it unlocked, but it is unlocked now. As you walk through your home you notice that there are multiple things missing. There is no more big screen television, and most of your other electronics are missing as well. Room by room, you case the home. No one appears to be inside anymore, but they certainly left their mark. Windows are broken in every room. Graffiti covers the wallpaper and there is broken furniture everywhere. Not only did they take your valuables, but they left you with quite a mess. Almost everything is damaged, and you can’t even imagine what it is going to take to get your home back to a livable condition. Your first instinct is to start cleaning, but your better judgment tells you to contact authorities before touching anything. The police come and file a report while looking for evidence and fingerprints that may have been left behind. Of course, you want them to find out who did this, but more than anything you just want to be able to relax in your home after your tiring day. That won’t happen. Since everything has been altered and your belongings are destroyed, you will have to find another place to stay. When everything settles, you contact your home insurance company. The insurance company is very straight and to the point.  They ask for your account of what happened, and for documentation of the incident (like the police report).  A person is sent from the company to investigate the damages. Seeing that you probably won’t be getting the quote that you had in mind, you pick up the phone. Who are you going to call? Contact your local Florida public adjuster to assess the damages and get you the most out of your insurance. Although not everything can be replaced, they will look into your theft damage and burglary damage policy areas to determine what you rightfully deserve, and get you back into the comfort of your home in the timeliest manner. #TheftandBurglaryDamageClaims

Image Credit: Rob Melendez via WIKI Commons Sink Hole Damage Claims Sink hole damage is becoming more and more apparent in Florida and surrounding areas. Homes and other property can be consumed by the ground below, with what seems like no warning. If you pay attention to the area surrounding your home and possessions, you may be able to identify the possibility of sink hole forming. You just need to know what to look for. Sink holes are a result of erosion that happens over thousands of years. When limestone is within a few hundred feet of the surface, they are more apt to occur. When a sink hole is formed, it is usually between ten and twelve feet wide. But, some have been reported that are hundreds of feet in diameter. Many lakes in Florida were once sinkholes! When rain water seeps into the ground, it absorbs carbon dioxide and act in response with rotting foliage. This creates acidic water. When the acidic water makes its way through cracks and openings that are underground, it dissolves limestone and makes more holes underground. The cracks and holes underground begin to get bigger and hold more of the acidic water. All of this commotion underground eventually leads to a sinkhole on the surface. The surface simply can’t be sustained anymore, and is carried down into the holes below. Rains and droughts both have significant effects on the making of sinkholes. When the ground dries out and then suddenly gets rushed with water, it is easier for sinkholes to form. It isn’t just Mother Nature that creates these holes. Human activities like drawing too much water from a well in the backyard, creating man-made ponds, digging new wells, and moving surface water can all speed up sink hole production. Sink holes can’t really be avoided, but they things that humans do to cause them can. When drilling and other ground altering events occur, a sink hole may occur with no warning signs. Under normal conditions, sink holes usually occur gradually, and there are signs that you will see before they open up underneath you. Cracks in the foundation of your home or business are a sign that some movement may be happening below. Other indications are doors and windows that fail to line up when closing, circular round cracks in a certain area of the ground, vegetation stress, and turbidity in local well water. It can be overwhelming when sink holes cause damage to your property. If you feel that you need help and don’t know where to turn, contact a public adjuster at your earliest convenience and get assistance with your sink hole damage claim. #SinkHoleDamageClaims

Professionals that you can hire to advocate for you during the insurance claims process are called public adjusters. They will only work with policyholders and do not under any circumstances work for the insurance company. There are two types of insurance adjusters that the company uses. Staff adjusters work specifically for the insurance company that you use, and independent adjusters are employed by the insurance company on a contract basis. Over the duration of your claim, your insurance company may have multiple adjusters assigned to handle it. They all have different levels of experience and communication might be tough. This being said, hiring a public adjuster is your choice. You can go through the claims process without one, but it is highly recommended for claims with substantial damages. You want to get the most out of the company that you pick to protect your assets, and that is what a public adjuster will make happen. If you’re looking for a public adjuster in Boca Raton, please consider the professionals at Reliant Adjusters Group. You can reach us at (561) 929-9826 #publicadjusterbocaraton #publicadjustersouthflorida

Lightning Damage Claims There is more lightning per square mile in South Florida than in any other region in the USA.  Lightning is actually present more than one hundred days out of the year in the state, which results in a lot of damage to homes and other property! Cities like Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Boynton Beach and other Palm Beach County cities experience an unusually high amount of lightning strikes year round. Most homeowner’s policies in Florida cover lightning damage, including damage caused by fire and smoke as the result of the strike. One strike could destroy all of the electrical portions of your home. After all, each bolt has over 100 million volts of electricity! If we could find a way to harness that energy, we would all be billionaires! High temperatures, intense humidity, and its prime location between the Atlantic and Gulf waters make Florida a paradise for lightning. Rain clouds and the high temperatures make for a grand round of lightning, which lights up the sky with immense intensity. It is important to protect yourself during a storm. Stay away from electronic devices, stay off of the telephone, don’t attempt to wash laundry, turn the television off, and stay away from doors and windows. Additionally, it is important to protect your home as much as possible. Keep your attention on your roof, and any other projectiles that protrude from your home, be aware of overhanging power lines and watch the trees around you in the event that they are struck or seem to be weakening. Lightning is drawn to tall trees because they may have some root or stem decay. This makes the plant tissue moister, which in turn makes the tree a better conductor of electricity. It is like a natural lightning rod. This makes it extremely important to keep tall trees in good health or remove them from your property to prevent future damage of them falling or become a victim of a lightning strike. Over 300,000 insurance claims are filed each year, with more than $350 million in damage just for lightning strikes. The direct strike is the primary thing you have to watch out for, but the strike can also cause fires, fallen trees, and electrical shortages. Be alert when lightning is in the air, and file a claim for any damages you incur. With so many claims being processed, it may be beneficial to enlist the help of a Boca Raton public adjuster. They will get you the most that your policy allows, and get all damages taken care of quickly! If you’ve experienced lightning damage in South Florida, call the pros at Reliant Adjusters Group for fast, reliable service at (561) 929-9826 #bocaratonlightningdamage #LightningDamageClaims #lightningdamagesouthflorida

Roof Damage Claims South Florida One of the most common homeowners’ claims in Florida is roof damage. Roof damage can occur at any time, and won’t always have any warning signs. Some damage happens over time, and other damage happens overnight. A common cause for roof damage in Florida is wind damage. Strong winds destroy shingles, and can even rip them right off. There is a strip between the shingle and the roof the seals them together. More often than not wind lifts the shingles and the seal becomes broken. After this happens and the wind settles, the shingle will lay back down normally, and you won’t be able to see the damage. The strip is important to the strength of the shingle on the roof, and needs to be adhered properly. If it isn’t, the durability and life of your roof will be negatively affected. Within a year or two of encountering damage, you will probably need a new roof because it will begin to leak. Tile roofs are not exempt from damage. They are put onto the roof as a decorative alternative and below them you will find paper that prevents leakage. If the wind moves the tiles on your roof, it may result in the nails underneath getting wedged in or out. The holes may open wider than intended, and water may get in. The roof could start leaking, and water damage can occur. Hail is also a common contributor to roof damage. Degranulation of your shingles can occur, which means that the material of the shingle is altered in a negative way. It will no longer have the strength needed to prevent any damages that can occur. Only close inspection will be able to reveal this damage, and you need someone with experience that can tell you what repairs need to be done. Lightning, storms, and other natural events can also cause roof damage and the repairs are not cheap. If you can prevent a full roof replacement, it will certainly be cost effective. But, it is important to fix all damaged areas to prevent a lengthier repair in the future. If you are unsure of the damages you may have and need someone to fight on your side, contact a public adjuster. They are there to make sure that your home remains in tip-top shape after being damaged, and will get you the results that you are looking for. Reliant Adjusters Group is a Boca Raton Public Adjuster specializing in helping home owners through the claims process, effortlessly. Call us today at (561) 929-9826 to learn more and schedule an appointment #RoofDamageClaimsSouthFlorida