Iowa is in the beginning stages of recovery from the derecho that ripped across the state last week. This is considered one of the worst weather events in 2020 within the United States due to the severity. Currently, 25 counties in Iowa have been declared disasters by Governor Reynolds. Although this is a challenging time, public adjusters want those fighting through insurance claims to know that assistance is available.
“Disasters like this present very trying times for policyholders and often lead to insurance companies not standing by coverage stated in insurance policies. We provide our clients with maximized settlements and peace of mind as they’re going through these, sometimes, life-changing events,” stated by Brandon Lewis, CEO of Strategic Claim Consultants.
“Due to this catastrophic event, we are stepping up, along with other public adjusters, to help meet policyholders’ needs throughout Iowa,” according to Lewis.
Based on damages in the area, there are at least 50,000 insurance claims, 10 million acres of crops damaged, and billions of dollars in losses due to the derecho. This catastrophic damage joined with hailstorm damages earlier this year, and workforce restraints due to COVID-19 – insurance companies may struggle to handle claims efficiently and accurately. The insurance companies may find difficulty processing claims correctly, assessing the damages properly, and providing accurate payouts. According to Lewis, policyholders across the state are unsure when or if their claims will be paid.
“Public adjusters work on behalf of policyholders to ensure just and fair compensation for damages caused by storms and other events, like fire or water damage,” said Lewis. “Public adjusters are licensed, bonded, and regulated by Insurance Divisions. They are highly trained experts with extensive knowledge of the insurance industry and have experience with various insurance claims .”
Iowa Administrative Code 191—15.413 governs how insurance companies are required to handle claims. Often catastrophic events can flood insurance pipelines and leave homeowners feeling neglected and confounded and stressed. Large-scale storms, like the recent Iowa derecho, lead to stagnant or non-existent communication from insurance companies. In addition, policyholders’ claims may be wrongfully denied, underpaid, or receive low-quality claims handling practices.
A public adjuster handles all aspects of the insurance claim process – from filling to final settlement. Public adjusters typically don’t charge anything upfront. Read more about How Much a Public Adjuster cost here. If you or someone you know is struggling to file an insurance claim, navigating the red tape, and unsure if they will receive a maximized payout for derecho-related damages, Strategic Claim Consultants can help.
Brandon Lewis and our team at Strategic Claim Consultants are actively seeking opportunities to help those affected by this significant disaster. We have boots on the ground that are accessible and available to help these damaged areas. If you or someone you know has been affected by the derecho, please tell them to contact us immediately.
Additional Resources
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