Valley storm victims risk losing out on insurance claims

PHOENIX - With thousands of insurance claims from Tuesday’s storms, a Scottsdale businessman is warning homeowners before they get soaked on their settlement.

Rob Rich, of Rob Rich and Associates, is a personal adjuster. He acts on behalf of the homeowner to assure the insurance company pays the appropriate amount to get the damage fixed.

He estimates in most cases homeowners are only getting a third of what they should.

“If they can get away with not paying then they will,” he said. “The biggest mistake that people make is they believe what the insurance company tells them.”

He charges 10 percent and warns people against adjusters who are charging much more.

Rich said he typically will only work with clients who have large claims. He offers free advice to those he doesn’t take on.

Rich stresses that using a public adjuster is not meant to ‘stick it to the insurance company.’

“It is not about inflating the claim,” he said. “It is about getting what is fair.”

Rich said he is aware of which companies operate in good faith and which ones seemingly do not. He suggested people check out the consumer advocacy group Fight Bad-faith Insurance Claims.

The Arizona Department of Insurance also tracks complaints and offers advice to customers who feel they are being treated unfairly.

“The insurance company is required to fairly evaluate and settle your claim and I would surely give them an opportunity to do that,” said Erin Klug, spokesperson for the DOI. “The Department investigates how the claim was handled. We look to see that the insurance company considered all the information and did a thorough claim.”

Klug said they track the complaints against insurance companies and also public adjusters.

She recommends that anyone using a public adjuster make sure they are licensed and be aware of what fees are involved before signing on. The DOI staff also can offer some advice to help homeowners through the claims process.