How Do I Get the Most Money for My Property Insurance Claim?

Q: Gerald, there was a fire in one of my rental properties. I have insurance, but I’ve heard terrible stories about insurance companies ripping off homeowners. How do I get the most money for my property insurance claim? Stacy, Toms River, NJ

A: Stacy, I hear you loud and clear. One of my first jobs was working as an actuary at an insurance company. Insurance companies unfortunately do rip insureds off sometimes–their goal is to collect as much money in insurance premiums as possible and then pay out the lowest amount in claims.

Here are 3 tips to help you get the most money from a property insurance claim: 1) carefully review your coverage 2) document damage with photos and video and 3) hire your own claims adjuster. The claims adjuster will often take a percentage of the money he gets you—my experience has shown it’s worthwhile to hire an adjuster when you file a property insurance claim.

Thanks for your question, Stacy, good luck.

For more real estate tips and information, visit my blog at geraldlucas.com.

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Vaughn | Westfield, New Jersey

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Stephen Brunson | Plainfield, New Jersey

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Berkis Castro | Clifton, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for helping me. My property was haunting me for quite sometime. We tried for so long to sell but couldn’t. My family and I never thought we would resolve this problem so easily, but you facilitated the whole process and made it swift and painless. We can’t thank you enough for this.”

Sal Rizzo-Cascio | Jersey City, NJ

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Bridget Hieronymus | Jersey City, New Jersey

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Samuel Manoharan | North Bergen, New Jersey

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Gita Gorji | Hoboken, New Jersey

“Our loan modification was finalized. Got all the documents. Even got legal documents stating that foreclosure proceedings were cancelled. Our rate went from a 4.75 to a 3.4 and our mortgage payment went down almost $200 a month. So all is good. Thank you so much.”

Crystal | Totowa, New Jersey

“Finally the bank called me and said that my loan modification was approved! I thank you so much for your help it really meant a lot to me...I really appreciate you. Thank you Thank you Thank you”

Camille Perry | Newark, New Jersey

“Hey Gerald wanted to give you a heads up that they offered me a loan modification. Thanks for all your help!"

Robert Evans | North Arlington, New Jersey

“I appreciate everything you were able to do with my lender, I am immensely grateful to you."

Carol Cunningham| West Orange, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for your help, Gerald. I feel like a huge weight has been taken off me."

Iradys Rivero| North Bergen, New Jersey

“At this point, Gerald, you are the only person I can trust. I appreciate all your efforts to assist me."

Deborah Dowe| Plainfield, New Jersey

“I want to thank you for helping me to get the courage to work on this problem because I didn't want to face it. Your help with the phone call to the mortgage company & other assistance was so appreciated. Thank you so much."

Evelyn Rudnicki | Rochelle Park, New Jersey

“I'm not trying to be a pain in the neck but I would like to thank you for your advice. I think things are going to work out for me. I did exactly what you told me and I think the mortgage company is going to work with me. I appreciate your advice. You are a Godsend. The world needs more people like you. Thank you and God bless you."

Jimmy Armstead | Roselle, New Jersey

“My mortgage problem is resolved. God bless you for all your help. You are a very good man, Gerald."

Virgilio Rodriguez | Paterson, New Jersey

“I followed the instructions Gerald from Performance Property gave me and I proved to my lender that I can pay back my mortgage.”

John Nikoe | Linden, New Jersey

“God bless you.”

Ravinder Thota | Jersey City, New Jersey

“My bank gave me a permanent loan modification. Thank you very much!!”

Jim Armstead | Roselle, New Jersey

“You helped me a lot more than the lawyer I hired. I should have gone to you in the first place. You were very kind. Thank you so much.”

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Amoy Frost | South Orange, New Jersey

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Sabur Abdul-Wahid | Budd Lake, New Jersey

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Dion Lowe | Rahway, New Jersey

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Melody Melendez | Elizabeth, New Jersey

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Amoy Frost | South Orange, NJ

“I appreciate all your help from the beginning and throughout the process. Thanks to you I was able to refinance and keep my house.”

David Brown | Rahway, New Jersey

“Thanks Gerald...I appreciate the time and effort you put in to this. You never gave up on it and I get my life back. I am grateful for everything. Thanks again.”