Navigating Insurance Challenges – Don’t Let Insurers Undermine Your Claims, Call Us First!

At GlobalPro we are committed to protecting policyholders. As Hurricane Helene approaches, we feel it is essential to bring attention to the ongoing issues plaguing the insurance market today. A significant concern is the alarming trend of fraudulent tactics employed by insurers, particularly in the manipulation of engineering reports and estimates, which systematically serve to underpay insured individuals and community associations.

Top 5 Takeaways from this Article:

1. Allegations of insurance company fraud is on the rise.
2. Manipulation of estimates by insurance companies leads to under deductible and denial of claims.
3. Hiring a public adjuster is essential as a fiduciary to protect the financial interest of your business or community association.
4. Policy pitfalls to avoid.
5. Neither your agent nor the insurance company adjuster represents your interest in a claim.

Now more than ever, policyholders need representation to navigate the complexities inherent in the insurance market today. Hiring a professional advocate like GlobalPro is crucial for ensuring that community associations, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals receive the compensation they deserve.

Even the Florida Department of Financial Services acknowledges the efficacy of advocates like GlobalPro. Florida CFO, Jimmy Patronis released a communication on August 12, 2024 affirming just that. In part, the communication states:

“The Florida Department of Financial Services recognizes the value of a properly licensed public insurance adjuster who can assist homeowners and commercial insureds in property claims arising out of Hurricane Debby…. Following storms, bad actors who take advantage of insurance consumers give licensed & legitimate adjusters and contractors a bad name. It’s important for policyholders to ensure that they are entering into contracts for services that comply with rules and regulations in Florida.” @FLDFS

Insurers frequently hire engineers to provide assessments of damage and estimators to calculate repair costs. However, the integrity of these reports is often compromised, as insurers exert pressure on these professionals to craft findings that favor the insurer’s defense. This results in misleading assertions that misrepresent the actual state of the insured property, leaving policyholders questioning the accuracy of the evaluations they rely on.

These assertions are made with the knowledge that they are misleading. Insurers are fully aware that by commissioning biased reports, they can reduce their financial liability while undermining the interests of the policyholders who depend on these evaluations for their rightful claims. This manipulation creates an environment where policyholders feel apprehensive about submitting claims, fearing that their legitimate damages will be dismissed based on fraudulent or misleading assessments.

Policyholders enter into contracts with insurers based on the expectation of receiving fair and impartial assessments. When they rely on these manipulated reports, they are essentially deceived into believing they will receive the coverage they paid for, only to face significant shortfalls in their claims. This reliance is further exacerbated by the misleading narrative pushed by insurers that blames high premiums on rampant litigation rather than acknowledging their role in fostering an environment where policyholders are reluctant to seek rightful compensation.

The reliance of policyholders on these assertions is justifiable, as they trust that the insurance process is governed by ethical standards and regulations. Unfortunately, the actions of some insurers reveal a stark reality where these expectations are not met. The combination of untrustworthy assessments and the continuous lobbying efforts by insurers to weaken consumer protection laws only deepens policyholders’ fears of pursuing claims.

In Florida, where policies now offer less coverage with significantly higher deductibles, policyholders face the added burden of paying exorbitant premiums. Insurers often exploit biased engineer reports and estimates to issue “soft denials,” asserting that claims fall below the deductible threshold. This effectively perfects the fraud, as insureds pay high premiums under the impression that they have coverage, only to find their claims dismissed based on artificially low assessments.

Furthermore, manipulation of estimating software settings, such as Xactimate, allows insurers to generate lower repair costs. For instance, some insurers have been accused of using settings that do not accurately reflect the realities of restoration projects, leading to significantly reduced estimates. This deceptive practice enables insurers to minimize payouts while maintaining the facade of fulfilling their contractual obligations.

The insurance industry’s narrative about the crisis in Florida has come under scrutiny. Investigative journalist Lawrence Mower of the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times highlighted how the insurance industry has fabricated statistics and misled the public. Senator Erin Grall stated, “It is now clear; the insurance industry fabricated their arguments and data over the past few years to manufacture a crisis and push for various legislative reforms.” This rhetoric has often been used to justify higher premiums and increased restrictions on policyholders seeking recourse.

Contrary to claims that lawsuits are the primary cause of rising premiums, evidence remains thin. A recent article illustrated how Barbara Glover, a Florida homeowner, became one of thousands who had to sue her insurer after feeling mistreated during her claims process. Despite the mounting lawsuits, data shows that litigation has yet to be identified as the cause of any insurance company failure. Even as the state has enacted laws to limit litigation against insurers, premiums continue to rise due to factors such as climate change, which insurers argue are beyond their control.

Lawmakers are beginning to question the efficacy of these legislative actions. As Senator Jason Pizzo remarked, “We’ve been getting more information from our federal government on UFOs in the past year than we have on insurance data from the state of Florida.” The lack of concrete evidence tying lawsuits to premium increases further emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability within the insurance industry.

Florida does have an extreme number of lawsuits against insurers compared to other states, but some of this litigation may stem from insurers attempting to reduce payouts rather than from frivolous claims. A study conducted by Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate Tasha Carter found that 78% of homeowners hired lawyers due to poor claims experiences, such as delayed payments or inadequate settlements. This illustrates that the litigation surge is often driven by legitimate grievances against insurers rather than abusive practices.

As Hurricane Helene makes landfall on Thursday, the urgency for action is paramount. Policyholders face an environment fraught with fear and uncertainty due to the deceptive practices of insurers and their influence over legislative reforms.

In light of these challenges, hiring a professional advocate like GlobalPro is essential today, more than ever. Board members have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of their condo association, and by hiring the GlobalPro Team, the board is taking proactive steps to protect the association’s financial interests, complying with governing documents, preventing underpayment, and demonstrating good governance. This approach ultimately benefits the association and its members by ensuring that their rights are protected, and that the association receives fair treatment in the claims process.

Our multidisciplinary team of experts in insurance, law, construction, engineering, finance, and technology is uniquely qualified to handle the intricacies of the insurance claim process. Our proven process—READY, RECOVER, REBUILD—ensures that clients make informed decisions, ultimately maximizing their recovery.

Now, more than ever, it is important to CALL US First! Once retained, the GlobalPro Team will jump into action, providing:

1. Accurate and Timely Reporting:

• Policy Analysis: The GlobalPro Team conducts a detailed analysis of your insurance policy to ensure that your claim is reported correctly and promptly, often preventing delays and misunderstandings.
• Expert Guidance: Our knowledge of insurance policies helps you navigate the reporting process and avoid common pitfalls, ensuring you are in compliance with your duties after a loss.

2. Preserving the Evidence:

• Visual Documentation: The GlobalPro Team uses advanced techniques like photography, videography, and drone footage to capture the extent of the damage and protect your claim.
• Compliance: Our documentation ensures compliance with insurance company requirements and strengthens your case.

3. Thorough Damage Assessment:

• Detailed Inspection: The GlobalPro Team conducts thorough inspections, including hard-to-reach areas, to identify and document all damages accurately.
• Inventory: We create a detailed inventory of damaged property to support your claim and prevent underpayment.

4. Expert Support:

• Necessary Experts: When required, The GlobalPro Team retains specialized experts or consultants to provide expert opinions and support your claim.
• Damage Preservation: We assist in preserving damaged property to maintain its value and facilitate a fair settlement.

5. Efficient Claim Submission:

• Record Production: The GlobalPro Team helps you gather and organize the necessary documentation to support your claim.
• Claim Submissions: Our team handles claim submissions, ensuring that all required information is provided and that your insurer is held accountable.

By calling The GlobalPro Team first, you can benefit from our expertise, experience, and dedication to maximizing your insurance claim. We will guide you through the entire process, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Phone: 855-487-7475  |  Email: Recover@globalpro.com  | GlobalPro.com

THIS IS A SOLICITATION FOR BUSINESS. IF YOU HAVE HAD A CLAIM FOR AN INSURED PROPERTY LOSS OR DAMAGE AND YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THE PAYMENT BY YOUR INSURER, YOU MAY DISREGARD THIS ADVERTISEMENT.” 
Michael M. Sengsourinh – FL License #: W649412