Filling out a Proof of Loss form for an insurance claim.
An experienced public adjuster can not only help you estimate, prepare, negotiate, and settle your insurance claim but can also help you with accurately filling out a Proof of Loss form Experienced Public adjusters work for the policyholder, never for the insurance company.
A Proof of Loss is a document filled out upon request by the insurance company by the policyholder when property damage occurs resulting in an insurance claim. This form supports the insureds claim and the value of the insured’s loss to the insurance company. It is typically one page and serves as a summary of the information required under the policy; this includes the supporting evidence and estimates of the present value of the loss to the insurer. In an insurance claims environment, it is up to the insurance policyholder to present and prove their loss to the insurance company within 60 days. This form can be used by insurance companies to force an insurer and their Public Adjuster to show their estimate in advance of the insurer granting coverage so they can use it to sometimes pay less than they estimated the loss or to invoke appraisal to attempt to keep the insurer out of potential litigation.
The Proof of Loss form is an official, notarized, sworn statement from the insured to the insurer concerning the scope of damage to their property. If the insurance companies requests in writing a proof of loss within the first 30 days of an insurance claim being filed or within 30 days of reopening a claim with the intention to supplement the claim then you will have to provide your estimate before they are required by Florida Statute to pay or deny the claim within 90 days. The insurance company uses this information as a basis for determining their liabilities for the property loss. Once submitted by the insured, the insurance company will review the claim and respond with their position on the claim.
Completing a comprehensive documented Proof of Loss is crucial to the claims process and the policyholder’s recovery; and if not done properly can result in a delay, underpayment or even denial of your claim.
How to fill out a Proof of Loss form
Filling out a Proof of Loss form will require a copy of your insurance policy. The policy determines what must be in a Proof of Loss; however, it will require information such as:
- Parties having an interest in the property – such as the bank holding the mortgage; and the
- Policy number
- Date and cause of the loss;
- Parties claiming the loss under the policy;
- Documents that support the value of the property and the amount of loss claimed (i.e. estimates, inventories, receipts, etc.);
- Coverage amounts at the time of the loss;
Three Important items to remember when filling out a Proof of Loss form:
1.) Fill out the form accurately and truthfully
Failure to fill out this form accurately can lead to underpayment, delay or even denial of your claim. All information contained in this document must be factual and based on supporting evidence. Sometimes this form is required to be submitted before an accurate assessment of the loss can be completed. For example, when the home requires water demolition or mold remediation and the home has not received a Post Remediation Verification Clearance then the proof of loss must be submitted with it notated on the form that it is the estimated value of the loss. Any inaccuracies or misrepresentations can result in a denial of coverage in the future.
2.) Abide by time requirements
In the insurance policy, under the section titled, “Section 1 – Conditions (2) Duties After Loss” it will state how long the policyholder has to fill out and submit a Proof of Loss form after the damage has occurred. If the insured does submit their proof of loss by this time requirement they risk denial of their claim. It’s important to note that the insurance company may not automatically send out a Proof of Loss form for submittal. In fact, it may be the policyholder’s responsibility to obtain, fill out, and proactively submit.
In some states, the time limit to submit a Proof of Loss begins when the insurance company formally requests it. Typically you have 60 days in Florida to submit a notarized Proof Of Loss from the date it’s requested by your insurance company. Note that in most claims the claim documentation including estimates and inventories are submitted first and after an agreement on a settlement is reached the actual Proof of Loss form is signed and notarized by the policyholder.
3.) Obtain detailed estimates on the damage to the property.
An accurate and supported insurance claim estimate used on your Proof of Loss is crucial. This amount will need to accurately itemize and detail the property damage and what you are owed as a result.
While the insurance company may send out their own company adjuster or independent insurance adjuster to take a look at the damages, it’s important for the insured to have advocates preparing the insurance claim on their behalf. Insureds should have their own advocates (Public Adjuster) and professionals who are not affiliated with the insurance company to substantiate, estimate and gather the supporting evidence for their insurance claim.
A public adjuster is a professional claims handler who advocates for the policyholder in negotiating and appraising a claimant’s insurance claim. Aside from attorneys and the broker of record, public adjusters licensed by state departments of insurance are the only type of claims adjuster that can legally represent the rights of an insured during an insurance claim process (This may differ in other states besides Florida.) A public adjuster will be most beneficial when it is clear that the insurer will pay the claim and the only issue is the proper identification and valuation of the loss. Most public adjusters charge a percentage of the settlement. Primarily they appraise the damage, prepare an estimate and other claim documentation, read the policy of insurance to determine coverage, and negotiate with the insurance company’s claims handler.
At Experienced Public Adjusters, we have the most qualified and Experienced Public Insurance Adjusters. It can be said with absolute confidence that we will serve your best interest and assist you in collecting the highest settlement amount possible. Our process of working is quite straightforward: our public adjusters review your policy, evaluates your damages, make proper adjustments to your claim, providing you ongoing feedback of your claim status, and maximize your settlement by using all our experience. We can provide an Orlando Public Adjuster to any claim in the State of Florida.
A public adjuster is a representative of the policyholder who advises, manages, and submits a claim to the policyholder’s insurance company.
Call an Experienced Public Adjuster today for a free claim review. (407) 212-8669