Author Archives for Swerling Milton Winnick

About Swerling Milton Winnick

If you’ve had a fire, flood or other property loss resulting in an insurance claim, and need a public insurance adjuster in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New England or anywhere in the U.S. or Caribbean, call Swerling Milton Winnick. We are the oldest and largest public adjusting firm in New England, and our team of experts will give you personalized, 24/7 attention to successfully resolve your residential or business insurance claim.

Utility Services – an important Business Interruption endorsement for business owners

January 28, 2020 1:42 pm Published by Leave your thoughts Think about a business like an ice cream parlor.  It relies on its local utility source to power the freezers that preserve its primary business product.  If the electricity goes out, the ice cream melts.  So, any interruption in utility services poses a vital threat to the entire business operation. We’ve talked a lot lately… View More

SMW Spotlight Series: Paul Winnick

January 21, 2020 1:49 pm Published by Leave your thoughts How did you get started in the business? When I was in my 20s, my older brother, Burt, was (and still is) a prominent attorney in Boston.  He wanted to help me get into a stable career.  At the time, he was Executive Director of MAPIA – the Massachusetts Association of Public Insurance Adjusters –… View More

Understand the Evolving Definition of “Collapse” in your Homeowner’s Policy

January 7, 2020 1:57 pm Published by Leave your thoughts Coverage for collapse has been argued and litigated heavily for the past several years.  The non-stop legal battles between insureds and insurers have resulted in ISO (the main policy writer) amending the verbiage in the standard property policy forms.  No longer does coverage for collapse exist if there is an imminent danger of collapse.  a.     … View More

Gifting vs. Loaning: Know The Difference Between a “Gift” and a “Loan” When it Comes to Your Insurance Coverage

December 23, 2019 2:39 pm Published by Leave your thoughts The holidays are a time when family members exchange thoughtful gifts.  In the case of family keepsakes – jewelry, watches, etc. – these gifts require careful management on your insurance policy. Update your policies accordingly! Think about a family example: they have beautiful pearl earrings that family members have handed down through the generations. The… View More

Understand Your ‘Loss of Use’ Coverage

December 17, 2019 2:43 pm Published by Leave your thoughts Protect your property – that’s the fundamental reason for purchasing insurance.  To do so effectively, you need the right coverage.  And the only way to truly ensure that you have the right coverage is to understand every provision within your insurance policy. One area policyholders often struggle to grasp is the “Loss of Use” coverage…. View More

Best Practice Tips for Managing a ‘Burnt Out of Sight’ Insurance Claim

December 3, 2019 12:57 pm Published by Leave your thoughts SMW recently had a client referral – all the way from across the country.  An attorney, who is an old friend (going back to SMW patriarch Bruce Swerling’s college days!), had a claim that presented some interesting lessons for homeowners who suffer “burnt out of sight” (BOS) property losses. In this case, the insureds experienced… View More

Homeowners Beware: Don’t Let Your Thanksgiving Turkey Fry Turn into a Fireball of Property Destruction!

November 27, 2019 1:09 pm Published by Leave your thoughts Here at SMW, we love turkey, and we love Thanksgiving.  And though oven roasting is an endorsed technique, we are not without affection for the savory, oil-filled repast that you can get from deep-frying your holiday turkey. It’s delicious! It’s also, however, incredibly dangerous.  Do you doubt us?  We have seen the damage first-hand –… View More

L.A. Wildfires and Burnt Out of Sight Homes: Important Lessons Learned

November 14, 2019 1:26 pm Published by Leave your thoughts Specifics.  Details.  Invoices and receipts from years past.  Document everything! These are the top-line lessons to learn if you’re dealing with an insurance claim related to a property that is “burnt out of sight” (BOS) – that is, with the building and personal property completely destroyed by fire (see picture). I was recently reminded of… View More