Not to be too cynical, but what a surprise that a contractor thinks that a contractor should be involved in the claims process. What does he know about insurance except that we pay him well? I always worked with the contractor to reach an agreed estimate. He was never part of the settlement meeting. He is not an insured.
Contractors can provide invaluable insight on what repairs really need to be made, whether or not the work is covered by insurance. Does the roof need a minor repair or should the entire roof be replaced? Perhaps only a portion of the roof is covered by insurance, but replacing the entire roof reduces the probability of future losses. The insurance company safety engineers might want to involve themselves as well since an adjuster may not speak the same language as the contractor. As to involving the agent, many of them do not want to get caught in the middle because they have absolutely no control over the adjusting or construction process.
I can’t tell you the number of claim issues that come up because the contractor is not communicating with the adjuster &/or insured. No-one knows what’s going on and they call the agent in desparation for answers. Usually, I find it’s just a matter of poor communication.
I’ve used Belfor on a number of my insured’s claim and find their service impecable and the level of communication ridiculous. They really do put their money where their mouth is and I don’t hesitate to recommend them to my clients.
Doesn’t Belfor make money by being a contractor involved in the insurance process? So the article is basically Belfor saying they should be given more work. What’s next week, an attorney saying they should be hired more?
This article quotes a speech given by the CEO of Belfor. Yes, Belfor makes money being a contractor, but that’s not the point. The point is Belfor handles the claim process differently than other contractors. I’ll vouche personally that this company puts it’s money where it’s mouth is.
I’ve hired them too to do fire remediation to a warehouse. It is my decision whether or not to hire them, however. I didn’t NEED them for anything and they were not involved in the claims process in any way when I did use them. Some of Yellen’s quotes in this article are borderline public adjusting.
“Communicating with the adjuster, insured, and the agent” You do realize that’s the biggest part of the job description of a PA right?
October 29, 2014 at 3:51 pm
Insurance-GUY says:
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The funny thing is that body shops are involved in the claims process for an auto claim. He also makes a valid point… some claims depts are pretty bad.
Well, there are many states that are starting to push-back on this type of service a contractor (un-regulated) wants to provide in the insurance claims (heavily regulated) process. Transacting the business of insurer requires special licensure.
Oh, and another shout out to the state of our society. Well, he was on “undercover boss” and won an emmy, so he must be OK. He may be, but that is irrelevant.
As a restoration contractor…I guess the insurance adjuster or company have a few choices on which contractor they work with. Accept the group that chased the fire truck in, signed the insured under duress, and don’t care about “normal” rates, reputations, or relationships. They only care about this fire…only. Or, tell the insured to hire some company out of the “yellow pages” who only gets their jobs by being lowest bid (…then running change orders up until they hit reality or above). No relationship necessary, because, their big splashy ad will get another call tomorrow. Or work with reputible contractors who get invited. Who not only want this fire…but your next one too. Groups that will value the long term. Earn your trust by…doing the right thing again, and again…and again. Who years from now will still go back and fix the sticking door…because the insured or the adjuster asked them to. Lots of choices.
Not to be too cynical, but what a surprise that a contractor thinks that a contractor should be involved in the claims process. What does he know about insurance except that we pay him well? I always worked with the contractor to reach an agreed estimate. He was never part of the settlement meeting. He is not an insured.
Good comments by Yellen but he assumes the insurance company wants to renew the client – often times the don’t.
Right on Sheldon, I’ve being doing insurance since 1950 and seen it all, agents and contractors have a role in the claims process.
Contractors can provide invaluable insight on what repairs really need to be made, whether or not the work is covered by insurance. Does the roof need a minor repair or should the entire roof be replaced? Perhaps only a portion of the roof is covered by insurance, but replacing the entire roof reduces the probability of future losses. The insurance company safety engineers might want to involve themselves as well since an adjuster may not speak the same language as the contractor. As to involving the agent, many of them do not want to get caught in the middle because they have absolutely no control over the adjusting or construction process.
I can’t tell you the number of claim issues that come up because the contractor is not communicating with the adjuster &/or insured. No-one knows what’s going on and they call the agent in desparation for answers. Usually, I find it’s just a matter of poor communication.
I’ve used Belfor on a number of my insured’s claim and find their service impecable and the level of communication ridiculous. They really do put their money where their mouth is and I don’t hesitate to recommend them to my clients.
Doesn’t Belfor make money by being a contractor involved in the insurance process? So the article is basically Belfor saying they should be given more work. What’s next week, an attorney saying they should be hired more?
This article quotes a speech given by the CEO of Belfor. Yes, Belfor makes money being a contractor, but that’s not the point. The point is Belfor handles the claim process differently than other contractors. I’ll vouche personally that this company puts it’s money where it’s mouth is.
I’ve hired them too to do fire remediation to a warehouse. It is my decision whether or not to hire them, however. I didn’t NEED them for anything and they were not involved in the claims process in any way when I did use them. Some of Yellen’s quotes in this article are borderline public adjusting.
Nothing like a P.A. They just did a really good job communicating with the adjuster, insured, and the agent. I like them.
“Communicating with the adjuster, insured, and the agent” You do realize that’s the biggest part of the job description of a PA right?
The funny thing is that body shops are involved in the claims process for an auto claim. He also makes a valid point… some claims depts are pretty bad.
Well, there are many states that are starting to push-back on this type of service a contractor (un-regulated) wants to provide in the insurance claims (heavily regulated) process. Transacting the business of insurer requires special licensure.
They’re a highly reputable firm, no different than what ServiceMaster does. Do you have a problem with them, too?
Oh, and another shout out to the state of our society. Well, he was on “undercover boss” and won an emmy, so he must be OK. He may be, but that is irrelevant.
As a restoration contractor…I guess the insurance adjuster or company have a few choices on which contractor they work with. Accept the group that chased the fire truck in, signed the insured under duress, and don’t care about “normal” rates, reputations, or relationships. They only care about this fire…only. Or, tell the insured to hire some company out of the “yellow pages” who only gets their jobs by being lowest bid (…then running change orders up until they hit reality or above). No relationship necessary, because, their big splashy ad will get another call tomorrow. Or work with reputible contractors who get invited. Who not only want this fire…but your next one too. Groups that will value the long term. Earn your trust by…doing the right thing again, and again…and again. Who years from now will still go back and fix the sticking door…because the insured or the adjuster asked them to. Lots of choices.