Florida policyholders are systematically ripped off because senior claims managers instruct field adjusters to underpay claims through various methods that are not fair.
An example is from an independent adjustment firm, Siebles, with a claims directive to field adjusters. This Wind and Hail Loss Investigation claim directive indicates that St. John’s Insurance has a marring protocol which Siebles adjusters must follow when considering wind and hail claims:
On hail reported losses we need to ensure the marring protocol is followed. Please be cognizant of the following considerations:
·No interior damages noted.
·No attic damage noted.
·Exterior screen damage questionable.
·Dings on downspouts and window frames appear to be from installation or imperfections in the materials.
·Damage to the roof appears to be minimal and does not appear to affect the overall integrity of the roof.
·Heavy granular loss noted (aging/wear & tear) making impact hits difficult to distinguish.
If claims meet the above criteria, they may qualify for the SJIC marring protocol.
A marring protocol? I wonder if St. John’s Insurance Company shares this with their customers, so they understand how their claims are being handled. The claims directive seems to severely limit the authority of adjusters who are assigned the responsibility to adjust the loss.
The bottom line is that most people not in the claims adjustment business have no idea that the nice and polite ads by insurance companies promising fair service are completely contrary to many claims directives that limit and delay the amount paid on claims.
Thought For The Day
I once told Nixon that the Presidency is like being a jackass caught in a hail storm. You’ve got to just stand there and take it.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
