Many people believe that when damage occurs to their home, they can make a claim against their insurance policy and all will be well. This is not necessarily so.

Here are two examples of where two insurance companies had initially denied coverage to the homeowners for part of their claims. The areas in both of the homes in question were undamaged by the cause of the loss. However, each town’s building inspectors required this additional code work as part of the overall repairs. The additional...

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I recently read an article posted by Angie’s List, the membership-based website featuring thousands of unbiased reports and reviews about service companies throughout the United States. Members regularly share their experiences with each other so that others can choose the service company that’s right for their needs. Angie’s List also posts information and tips to help homeowner’s save money.

This particular article asked: “Does your homeowner’s insurance policy offer enough coverage to replace your...

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It is painful for us when we represent a condo association and observe that so many unit owners have limited or no insurance on their units. A master policy purchased by your condo association covers the building, the common areas and the unit owners’ collective liability. However, the master policy does not cover everything of importance, such as your personal property and the cost to live elsewhere while repairs are being made.

One example we experienced recently was that of a six-unit co...

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This information was excerpted from Report No. 10-06 of the Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability, an office of the Florida Legislature.

For decades, we’ve been extolling the virtues and illustrating the effectiveness of hiring a public adjuster, primarily because we see the difference it makes in the lives of our clients every day. So, we are happy to report that, in January 2010, the state of Florida released the results of their study that compared insurance claims...

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On June 1st 2011, a devastating tornado hit western Massachusetts. It left damage and ruin in its West to East trail of destruction that began in Westfield and passed through West Springfield, Springfield, Wilbraham, Monson, Brimfield and Sturbridge. The tornado left four individuals dead and 33 injured in the city of Springfield, according to a report by the Boston Police Department. The tornado resulted in substantial property loss for those living in the Springfield area. Roofs were torn off houses...

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 A hurricane, with winds in excess of 75 miles per hour, can cause damage. A tornado, with much higher winds, that spawns from a hurricane can result in far more damage. 

Hurricane Rita followed Hurricane Katrina by four weeks and hit western Louisiana and east Texas. Our firm was referred to several losses caused by Rita. The damage to many buildings was substantial, but the damage was most severe in the narrow bands that were affected by tornados.

Hurricanes generate tornadoes in addition to high winds. Note the incredible damage...

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The force of the tornado can have some unusual results. This roof was pushed down by concrete blocks from an adjacent building and then uplifited by the wind. Imagine what this does to the walls of the building.

Building damaged by concrete blocks and winds from tornado.

Tornado destroyed prefabricated housing.

...

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It is difficult to get a sense of the path and breadth of destruction of the June 1 tornado in Massachusetts from the ground. Photos from the air give a better indication of what happened.

Photo of forested areas show width and path of the tornado 

This photo (note all the blue...

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Professional Loss Adjusters is representing several property owners in the adjustment of their insurance claims. You have probably seen photos of the incredible building damage from the ground. Recently, I took aerial photos of several of the claims we are adjusting to give you a different perspective.

This building is adjacent to two buildings that were totally destroyed. This building suffered significant damage and lost its roof.

Several large apartment buildings had their roofs torn off....

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Mike Salvi and I were honored to be invited by Gary Goldman of WCRN talk radio, Worcester, MA, to provide advice to tornado victims on how to deal with their insurance claims.

We discussed some of the issued confronting home, property, and business owners after the disasterous tornadoes that hit West Springfield, Springfield, Monson, Brimfield, Sturbridge and the surrounding areas on June 1st.

It was a lot to cover in an hour and I would like to direct those affected to the various pages on...

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