United Claims Specialists is a leading nationwide company specializing in managing insurance claims for both residential and commercial clients. Their team of specialists possess the experience and negotiating skills necessary to obtain the best settlement possible to compensate for damages to your home or business. The Jewish Link recently sat down with Josh Berkowitz, vice president of the Northeast region of United Claims Specialists, to talk about how he can help policy holders file claims and recover assets compromised or damaged by catastrophe.
JL: What exactly does a public insurance adjuster do?
JB: A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional that specializes in managing every aspect of an insurance claim on behalf of a policyholder. Public adjusters are experts on property loss or damage and their services include but are not limited to policy review, estimates, expert reporting and negotiating on behalf of the insured.
JL: Why would someone need an adjuster? Can’t I just go directly to my insurance carrier?
JB: Most individuals don’t have the expertise or the experience of working with insurance companies. Our team has the skills and the know-how to get you the settlement you deserve for the damage incurred. Our seasoned specialists will free you from the emotional and time-consuming struggles that most people endure when dealing directly with insurance carriers. Furthermore, the client pays nothing until the claim is completely processed and payment is granted.
JL: What is the goal once an adjuster has been hired for a claim?
JB: Public adjusters use their detailed understanding of the insurance business, insurance policies and insurance claims process to maximize the compensation received by the insured. As public adjusters, we are not only trained to assist in getting a settlement, but to look out for and document damages that may not be obvious, ultimately maximizing the recovery. Most importantly we ensure that a claim is properly handled and approved by the insurance carrier. This in itself is an advantage to hiring an expert public adjuster. In many cases claims collect a fraction of what is deserved and at times are even denied. Our team knows what to look for and how to get optimal results.
JL: Once a public adjuster is hired to work with a policy holder, what is the process?
JB: A public adjuster will inspect the loss immediately and perform a series of tasks that will develop the claim in an organized and efficient way. Those steps include reviewing the insurance policy to determine coverage, analyzing the damages, assembling claim support data, determining current replacement costs and presenting the claim and relevant documentation to the carrier representative. As a public adjuster, I am exclusively representing the client/insured, not the insurance company.
JL: What types of claims do you handle?
JB: We deal with residential and commercial claims related to damage or loss due to fire, hail, hurricane, lightning, roof leaks, toxic mold, theft, vandalism, plumbing problems or any other catastrophe that would likely entitle you to compensation from your insurance company. We offer free inspections and policy reviews, making it a no-brainer for someone who has experienced property damage or loss. Regardless of what caused the damage or if it is a new claim or a claim that was previously denied, we can help.
JL: With winter approaching do you see an increase in damages due to inclement weather?
JB: We definitely see an increase in potential claims due to winter-related issues such as frozen pipes and ice damming. These are common problems many homeowners experience and can certainly cause a considerable amount of damage to a home. In many cases, homeowners are not aware of the specifics of their insurance policy. With my detailed understanding of the insurance language, I can evaluate a policy and see what type of claim is in order.
JL: Tell us a little bit about your professional journey and how you ended up at United Claims Specialists.
JB: Professionally, I have been working in the real estate market for the last decade. I have since shifted my focus to the insurance sector once I noticed there was a real need among my commercial and residential clients for professional public adjusters who advocate in support of policyholders’ interests exclusively. At United Claims Specialists, we aim to even out the playing field and maximize any potential claim on behalf of the policy holder.
Public adjusters at United Claims Specialists are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assess damage and begin the recovery process. For a free insurance claim review, please call 201-686-2022.
By Andrea Nissel
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