When a claim turns into a dispute
After a loss, the first job is to notify your insurer promptly and file an accurate, well-documented claim. Hiring a reputable public adjuster is often a good idea at this stage. But even a well-prepared claim can stall when the insurer reads the policy differently, disputes the cause of the loss, or values the damage far below the real cost of repair.
If the insurance company still has not made a good faith offer to settle, call Mr. Sapourn.
How claims are supposed to be handled
Insurance companies and their agents follow strict guidelines when claims are reported:
- Agents are generally required to report a claim promptly and accurately once they are on notice of a possible loss.
- Some agents have limited claims handling authority, defined in their agency agreement.
- Companies expect agents to report the facts as they know them and let the adjuster decide how coverage applies.
- Agents are sometimes paid contingency bonuses based on how profitable their book of business is. That incentive must never influence how they service or advise a client.
Knowing these rules from the inside helps Mr. Sapourn spot where a claim went off track, whether the problem lies with the insurer, the adjuster or the agent.
Experience on both sides of the claim
Mr. Sapourn ran a large insurance agency for 23 years and later adjusted substantial homeowners and commercial property claims as a licensed Florida Public Adjuster. As an attorney, he brings that experience to policyholders whose claims have been denied, delayed or undervalued, across Melbourne, Brevard County, Orlando and the rest of Florida.