Public Adjuster Settles Church Tornado Claim
Posted on Wed, Aug 31, 2011
The tornado damage claim has settled on Dr. Lawrence Kennedy's landmark North Church - http://www.northchurch.org. The tornado damage to their building housing their offices, classrooms, multi-media productions, and sanctuary was settled by Suncoast Claims Inc., a Texas public adjuster company and policyholder advocate.
Suncoast Claims Inc. inspected the damage within 24 hours of the loss. The tornado peeled back the end of the football field size roof, exposing the sanctuary to sky. Heavy rain with the high winds resulted in damage to the television studio, sanctuary, and entire roof.
“The air conditioners on the roof, almost as big as railway boxcars, had been rolled over or picked up and dropped back in place, damaging the curbs mounting them to the roof. Electrical and gas lines were plucked up and left in a tangled mess against the parapet walls,” said Don Wood, President of Suncoast Claims Inc.
“We are licensed to step in for the insured, the policyholder, as their advocate,” Don said. “Many clients need expert help with their claim, to give them assistance to overcome the low estimates the insurance companies frequently produce. On complex or contested claims like this damage at Church on the Rock North, known as North Church, they needed a public adjuster with technical skills and experience,” said Don. “We understand the policy fine print, the rebuilding process, and the claim settlement requirements. We are truly on the policyholder's side in the damage settlement process.”
“Insurance companies typically use independent adjusters to handle their claims. But the only type of adjuster that works for the policyholder is a public adjuster. Their fees typically come out of the settlement. They are usually more experienced than the company’s representative. They work only for the insured, not the insurer.”
“Dr. Kennedy faced an uphill battle with his insurance carrier. On this claim, due to the structural damage, we needed an engineer to inspect the curb and metal decking repairs. Heavy equipment and long-reach cranes had to remove and reset the large equipment. During all of this,” Don said, “the church continued operations, including a day-care that required safety and security for the children. Incredibly, the insurance carrier continued to resist replacing the entire roof and contested the costs of the necessary repairs.”
Church on the Rock International is a a worldwide mission-based network of over 5,000 affiliate churches, missionaries and itinerant ministers. North Church serves as its headquarters and Dr. Lawrence Kennedy is the president, overseeing thousands of fellowship churches throughout America and the world.
“Due to the insurer’s continued resistance to replacing the roof in spite of ongoing leaks,” Don said, “we brought in a forensic engineer who is also an architect and a building code specialist. He tested and mapped the entire roof, documenting what I was sure he would find – water trapped between the layers of roofing. Even the areas that did not appear damaged were water saturated. Water was migrating and leaking into the building in dozens of places. The high wind had stretched the membrane roofing.”
“With our guidance, the church began the process of appraisal, an insurance policy provision to settle damage amount disputes, as well as legal consultation with an attorney specializing in insurance litigation, to preserve their rights under their insurance contract.” Don said, “We guide our clients through the whole process, but at the stage of either litigating or demanding appraisal, we ask our client to consult with an attorney. We are not attorneys, and do not want them to surrender any of their legal rights at this point due to a misstep.”
“The appraisal process is generally unsuccessful when policyholders go it alone. Since appraisal awards are binding, experience is vital. We recommended a competent independent veteran adjuster and appraiser, who flew into Texas for three meetings with the insurance company’s designated appraiser and the umpire. The panel ultimately issued an award that was near our original estimate.”
“People are amazed at what it takes to resolve claims today.” Don added, “On claims like this, without a public adjusting company like Suncoast, it would be nearly impossible for policyholders to be made whole, because the estimate numbers provided by the insurer were so low. Policyholders must be vigilant to overcome a well-documented industry-wide trend toward low property claim settlements and rapidly get help to get whole.”
Fear or Faith
"When you consider the economic crisis today along with the catastrophic weather conditions we have experienced all over the world, you could easily become fearful. It’s like God is swirling His finger to alert us to the fact that He is still in control and not man. God created the heavens and the earth and we continue to see the work of His hands on a day to day basis. Believers are not to live in fear but in faith." ~ Dr. Lawrence Kennedy
Don Wood, President of Suncoast Claims Inc., is a licensed public adjuster and a former residential, commercial, and industrial builder. He has served as a staff company adjuster, independent adjuster, and construction estimator. He is a member of the Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (TAPIA) and NAPIA (National), and is a Windstorm Network certified umpire for insurance loss appraisals.
Suncoast Claims Inc. (Texas license #1586009) represents ONLY the Insured.