Norcia Insurance Consultants | Norcia Insurance Consultants

Fire Prevention Week 2022

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Norcia Insurance Consultants

Each year since 1922 during the week of October 9, the NFPA sponsors Fire Prevention Week. Fire Prevention Week is held annually commemorating the Great Chicago Fire and is the longest running public health observance. This week is marked every year by a theme to keep people safe in case of fires. This year’s theme is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.”

For the 100^th anniversary of NFPA sponsoring Fire Prevention Week, they wanted to focus on how to keep yourself and others nearby safe in case of a fire. Today’s homes burn faster than ever, so time is of the essence if a fire occurs. In some situations, you may only have two minutes or less to escape safely after the smoke alarm first sounds.

As timing is so important, there is truly no time to waste trying to figure out the best escape route. This Fire Prevention Week, sit down with your family and discuss a fire escape route and plan. Decide which exits make most sense based on where you are in the house and where you will meet up outside to avoid confusion about who escaped.

This is also a good time to discuss responsibilities. Who is in charge of calling emergency personnel? Do you have pets that you need to include in your plan – and can you do so without risking your own safety? Is there someone living in your house that won’t be able to escape without assistance? Who is expected to help them out?

The best escape plans include two possible exits from each room and are easy for everyone to remember. If it helps, draw a map to indicate exits and a permanent landmark for a meeting place close by (but far enough away to be safe).

Once plans are in place – practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the more comfortable each member of your household will be in case of a true emergency.

Additionally, take the time each month to test your smoke alarms. With how little time there is to escape safely in case of fire, it is imperative that you have as much heads up as possible and your smoke alarms work effectively.

This week, take the time to make sure that you are prepared. The more prepared you are, the better the outcomes will be if an emergency occurs.

If you have recently experienced a fire and need a public adjuster to help you get the best-case scenario from your insurance company, trust Norcia Insurance Consultants. Call us at 866-512-LOSS (5677) or request a free consultation!

Public Insurance Adjuster FAQs

Posted on August 8, 2022 by Norcia Insurance Consultants

If you’ve found your way here, then chances are you are looking for a public insurance adjuster to help you with an insurance claim. However, we want to make sure that you know everything you need to know before you make the decision to give us a call. While we are more than happy to discuss any questions you may have, we wanted to provide answers to some of the most commonly asked questions we hear.

Are you looking for a public insurance adjuster in WI? Give Norcia Insurance Consultants a call today to learn more! In the meantime, here are answers to our most common questions!

What is a Public Insurance Adjuster?

A public insurance adjuster is a person who is licensed by the state to represent you and advocate on your behalf, without being considered a conflict of interest or breaking the law. As they are agents employed by you, public insurance adjusters are allowed to support you throughout the insurance claim process. Insurance companies employ their own adjusters, but they are trained to work for the insurance company, not you.

What can a Public Insurance Adjuster do for me?

Public insurance adjusters work on your behalf to help you receive every cent you deserve from your claim. They can help evaluate damage and rebuilding costs, track insurance payments and amounts due, communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, and assist with filing paperwork so you can rest easy knowing you did everything correctly.

Will I get the same result with my insurance company’s adjuster?

More often than not, no. Your insurance company’s adjuster works for them and not you. They want to make sure that your insurance company receives the best outcome for them, which frequently means giving you a payment lower than what a public insurance adjuster can help you receive. Additionally, your insurance company’s adjuster is not responsible for creating a detailed estimate of your loss, meaning what is included in your claim may actually have errors that lead to a lower payout for you.

Why do I need help with my claim?

A public insurance adjuster can help you understand your insurance policy, so that you know exactly what to include on your itemized statement of loss. Without a full understanding of your coverage, this can be a difficult tax. They can also help ease the burden of time required in the process of filing an insurance claim, both by assisting with some communications and paperwork and by speeding the process along. Public insurance adjusters are also there to answer any questions you have along the way, making the whole process smoother.

You may not need a public insurance adjuster, but they can help you with peace of mind knowing that your claim was filed properly and you have an expert on your side to get you everything you deserve from your claim.

When you need to hire a public insurance adjuster in WI, contact Norcia Insurance Consultants. Call us at 866-512-LOSS (5677) or request a free consultation!

Questions to Ask Your Public Adjuster in MN

Posted on May 31, 2022 by Norcia Insurance Consultants

When you experience an emergency and must file an insurance claim, call Norcia Insurance Consultants. Our MN public adjusters work with you to get you what you deserve. From helping you through filing your claim to being available to act as an intermediary and talking to your insurance company for you – public adjusters help you in your time of need.

But when you hire a public adjuster, do you know what questions you can ask them? They are there to help you through the process, so there is no such thing as a dumb question. Here are some ideas of questions you can ask to get you started.

Did I Do Something Wrong?

When it comes to filing your insurance claim, there can be a lot of confusing paperwork involved. Public adjusters are well-versed in claim paperwork and can look over everything to help you ensure that you are filling out each page appropriately. There’s no need to worry about messing up, as public adjusters are there to help you through the whole process and can answer any questions.

If you think you did something wrong, it’s important to let your public adjuster know as soon as possible so they can help you fix it.

What Paperwork Do I Need to Prepare?

While public adjusters can often handle paperwork for their client, there are some things that you may need to fill out yourself or sign. By asking them ahead of time what you need to do, you can be prepared and speed up the process of filing your claim.

What Can You Tell Me About My Insurance Policy?

Do you fully understand all the small print in your insurance policy? If you are in the majority, and your answer was no, your public adjuster can help make sense of your policy specifically. There might be something hiding in there that could help your claim, or maybe there’s just a section that never really made sense to you. Either way, asking about your insurance policy is a great way to learn more and potentially help you process your claim.

How Long Will It Take to Process My Claim?

Each insurance claim takes time to process, but the complexity of the claim determines just how long typically. When you experience a disaster and need to file a claim, you don’t want to wait to receive your payment. Asking your public adjuster about how long it will take them to process your claim and if there are any ways to speed up your insurance company can help you set realistic expectations and sometimes even speed up the process!

How Much Can I Realistically Expect from My Insurance Company?

Asking your public adjuster how much you can realistically expect to receive from your insurance company is another way to manage your expectations, plus it puts you in a better position to get the best possible claim. If you have unrealistic expectations, asking for too much or too little, insurance companies can end up giving you a lot less than you deserve. It’s important to know what your best-case and worst-case scenarios are, so that you can plan for either option.

When it’s time for you to hire a public adjuster in MN, contact Norcia Insurance Consultants. Call us at 866-512-LOSS (5677) or request a free consultation!

Common Winter Insurance Claims & How to Prevent Them

Posted on January 26, 2022 by Norcia Insurance Consultants

Whether this winter brings sub-zero temperatures, multiple feet of snow or all of the above, winter-induced home damage can sometimes be unavoidable. But sufficient insurance coverage may cover even the most bitter disaster. It is important to get what you are owed in the event of a winter disaster and the professionals at Norcia Insurance Consultants are here to help. We are the trusted name in insurance claims for MN and can work on your behalf to help get what you are entitled to. Here are a few of the most common types of winter-related home damage plus how you can prevent them.

Ice Dams

Last month we covered ice dams and how to prevent them. They are a major problem in the winter and can lead to mold and leakage. An “ice dam” forms on a roof when snow melts and refreezes near the gutters or roof edges. When the ice begins to melt again, the water can seep under roof shingles. the subsequent icicles hanging from your roof might be enchanting, but a heavy icicle could rip off a gutter.

Have a professional inspect your roof to see if solutions like heat cables and rubberized shingles can keep ice dams from forming in the first place. You should also keep all gutters clear of debris so melted snow can drain properly.

Fallen Branches

It may not be the first you think of when it comes to winter hazards, but tree branches cause a major threat especially following an ice or snowstorm. If an icy branch does fall, your insurance policy’s dwelling coverage should cover necessary repairs to the home, while your other structures coverage will pay for things like a damaged fence or shed.

Burst Pipes

A more obvious winter home disaster, frozen pipes can burst and cause accidental water damage, which can be expensive to repair. Make sure you do what you can to prevent any frozen pipes, but if water damage does occur, homeowners need to take action to mitigate further damage, like turning off the water valve.

Fires

Fireplaces, space heaters and other forms of electricity make house fires one of the most common causes of winter insurance claims. Be sure to do everything you can to prevent fires this winter. And if a fire does occur, make sure you get the help you need.

Need help with any insurance claims disputes involving your MN home or business? Call Norcia Insurance Consultants at 866-512-LOSS (5677) or you can contact us to set up your Free Consultation.

Common Winter Home Damage & What to Do

Posted on November 15, 2021 by Norcia Insurance Consultants

There are many damages that can occur to a home in the fall and winter months. In the event of a storm or other damage, first make sure everyone is safe. Once you’ve ensured everyone’s safety, contact your insurance agent or your insurance claims adjuster for instructions on what to do until they arrive. You can begin preparing an inventory of personal property damaged and take pictures of any damage to the property. Our insurance claims professionals from Norcia can do all of this for you as well. We are the trusted insurance consultants for Minnesota and we are here to provide you with a list of possible home damages to be aware of this winter.

Ice Dams

While once thought of as a problem with the roofing or ventilation, ice dams are actually caused by the presence of warm, moist air in the attic, combined with snow on the roof and the right weather conditions. Ice dams occur when heat gets into the attic and then melts the underside of the snow on the roof. This melted snow then flows down the roof until it reaches a cold spot like the eaves or soffit and forms a frozen dam where additional snowmelt and ice build up. Then, the ice buildup can back up under the shingles, damaging them and allowing water to leak into the ceilings and walls beneath.

Roof Damage

Roof damage insurance claims can be tricky. Some roof damage is always covered by a home insurance policy, while other roof damage is not. Most home insurance policies cover unexpected roof damage like hail damage, fallen debris and the like. If your roof was damaged in a storm, then your home insurance should cover the cost of repairing your roof to its pre-loss condition. To get professional repairs you can depend on, JTR Roofing offers top notch roofing and siding repair for area residents.

Tree Limbs

When heavy rains, wind or a falling tree limbs wreak havoc, your first step is to make sure everyone is safe and your home is safe to be in. Do not go outside if it is still storming or if it’s possible tree limbs could still break and fall, even if you suspect your home or property has been damaged. Wait until the weather clears up and it is safe to venture outdoors.

Damage to your home from fallen trees is usually covered under most homeowners’ policies. Most companies will pay to have trees removed from the damaged structure however not all companies will do so.

When it comes to your parked vehicle, your comprehensive automobile insurance will cover damage that occurs there.

To learn more about our insurance consultants serving Minnesota, call Norcia Insurance Consultants at 866-512-LOSS (5677), or you can contact us to set up your Free Consultation.