Award RCV : $141,111.19
Award ACV : $109,438.10
Carrier Estimate: $73,320.74.
High winds from Hurricane Beryl, caused a 40 yr old tree to fall on the house damaging the roof, exterior brick and knocked out the electrical panel. The electricity to the entire house was shut down, water gushed inside the house and the Left elevation brick exterior wall was leaning. The garage was crushed under the tree.
Carrier “Experts” adjusted the claim as usual and said it will buff right off (Pun intended). Insured, who is more than 70 yrs old with a disabled spouse hired an engineer to look at the damage caused. He got contractor Bids totaling about 150k in proposed repair costs on top of the tree removal, clean up and emergency services.
Months later, numerous emails were exchanged between the insured and carrier and the carrier offered $73,320.74.
Insured, confident that he will not be able to repair the damages in that budget, opted for Appraisal and hired Sarath Jerome to perform an independent insurance appraisal on this loss. An appraisal demand letter was sent to the carrier. The carrier interviewed the proposed appraiser to confirm his certifications and experience. Finally, the carrier agreed to the appraisal.
An Independent and Un-biased appraisal was conducted, and the scope of loss was determined to be almost 70k higher than the initial carrier offer. Jerome was able to convince the carrier about each code upgrades needed, permits and even justified the cost of engineering assessment.
