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CASE STUDIES

Appraiser Wins $275,000 Increase for Birmingham, AL Fire Claim


+ $275,000 INCREASE

A historic home in Birmingham, Alabama was destroyed after an electrical fire damaged the dwelling and personal property. The owner’s daughter, an attorney, handled the claim for her mother.

For 11 months, the owner’s daughter disputed the amount for which the insurance company valued the personal property claim as well as the valuation of the custom-built home. The dispute was over the independent adjuster having miscalculated the high-end fixtures and the overall reconstruction prices to rebuild.

Many personal property items that were damaged by fire and smoke were overlooked and underpriced by the adjuster. The claim was at a complete standstill over the disputed amount. We were contacted by the insured’s daughter to provide consulting services and possibly be hired as an appraiser, since public insurance adjusters are not licensed in Alabama.

Due to the definitive appraisal provision in the policy, our lead public adjuster was engaged and appointed as the insured’s appraiser to help settle her fire claim in the appraisal process.

Our appraiser’s work involved developing a detailed and accurate scope of loss for the dwelling and personal property. This involved consulting with construction specialists and working closely with the insured to recreate and accurately value the damaged personal property.

A retired judge in Alabama was appointed as the neutral umpire. During the appraisal, he ruled in our favor and secured $275,000, the amount we felt was due to the insured.

While attorneys often offer insurance appraisal services in Alabama, legal fees are a legitimate concern, as is the fact that attorneys don’t necessarily have the same level of hands-on loss estimating expertise as experienced public insurance adjusters do.

If you’ve suffered an insured loss in Alabama and have a dispute with your insurance company, you may have the option of settling your claim in the appraisal process. We can help. Click here for more information on the appraisal process in Alabama.

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