Ron Reitz

Normal 0 Tips for Fire Victims: What Should You Do After You Experience a Fire Disaster? by Ron Reitz, Quality Claims Management Corporation www.qualityclaims.com       Tips for Fire Victims: What Should You Do After You Experience a Fire Disaster?   Take a breath and do not make any hasty decisions. Do not accept the first offer you receive from the insurer.   Before accepting any offer from an insurer, be sure that the offer has been reviewed and analyzed against the insurance policy so that you know ALL insurable damage has been included and adequately addressed.   Do not speed through the process. While you may believe that the fastest resolution of your claim is best -- it often times is not best for the insured. Claims take a long time to settle. The more time and effort you spend valuing your claim, the higher your ultimate settlement will be.   Start... (more)

How Do You Know If You Have Enough of The Right Kind of Insurance?

Do you have enough of the right kind of insurance? If you get hit by a disaster - fire, flood, earthquake, will your home and possessions be covered? How do you know if you are truly protected? Insurers claim it is the responsibility of the homeowner to determine the appropriate levels of insurance for their property. However, your insurance agent or broker will not know your property and your possessions as well as you do. You need to accept the responsibility to properly insure your house. If you do not purchase the appropriate amounts of coverage, the loss will be yours to suf... (more)

Six Great Insurance New Years Resolutions

1. The first step is to review your insurance policy. Check to make sure your homeowner's insurance policy contains Replacement Cost Benefits for your contents.  It only costs a few extra dollars per year and is well worth it. This coverage ensures you will be made whole for the amount it actually costs to replace your damaged property. 2. When was the last time you spoke to your insurance agent and got a "check up" to make sure your coverage is sufficient? Most homeowners are under insured and don't know it. 3. Prepare a home inventory list now - before you have a loss. Include a... (more)

What Should You Do After You Experience a Severe Storm or Flooding?

Rains and melting snow throughout the US South and east coast are causing many rivers and streams to overflow and millions of homeowners are facing severe flood damage. What should they do after the waters subside and the insurance companies move in? First - make sure your family and pets are safe. Then find a place to live. Most insurance policies provide coverage for housing after a disaster. You do not have to rough it or sleep in a shelter. Find a hotel. Take a breath and do not make any hasty decisions. Once you start talking to your insurance company, do not accept the firs... (more)

Lessons Learned from the 2007 Southern California Wildfires

The October 2007 Wildfires are two years in the past but many of the affected fire victims have not yet been able to rebuild their lives and their homes. Out of the more than 1,700 San Diego City and County homes that were lost in 2007, only about 55% of the homeowners have obtained building permits and started their rebuild process. Many of those have not yet finished.  What is Taking So Long? Under insurance is one of the most common reasons why homeowners were not able to quickly rebuild their homes. According to Amy Bach, Executive Director, United Policyholders,  "After the 20... (more)