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.
Homeowners Beware: Your Business Personal Property Coverage Has Strict Limits
September 26, 2023 2:43 pm Leave your thoughts As public adjusters, we regularly see homeowners who have a home office or workshop where they might undertake small side projects to augment their income. These workshops might be in their basement or in their garage, and contain tools, supplies or electronics that the homeowner owns and uses to work on such projects. This… View More
The First 24 Hours
September 19, 2023 12:14 pm Leave your thoughts Fire!!! Now what? It’s not quite that sudden a shift when you suffer a major property loss – but it’s close. What actually occurs during the first few hours following the news that your house is on fire? Here’s a quick timeline of the first 24 hours – including likely events and decisions you should… View More
Homeowner Changes vs. Direct Damage
September 12, 2023 12:59 pm Leave your thoughts When settling insurance losses, public adjusters must often deal with homeowner changes. This is especially the case when the claim involves a significant loss. This is because insurance policies are contracts of “indemnity” – meaning you only get paid for the property you actually possessed, or items of “like kind and quality.” After suffering a… View More
Period of Restoration
September 5, 2023 1:18 pm Leave your thoughts When you suffer a property loss and file a claim with your insurance carrier, the insurance claims process begins. This triggers the “period of restoration” requirement, which imposes a timeline of “reasonable speed” by which you must get the property repaired or replaced – and the date by which you should resume residential or commercial… View More
Labor Day
August 29, 2023 12:51 pm Leave your thoughts Why exactly do we celebrate Labor Day? As you’re packing up the car this weekend, heading out to the beach or maybe a country retreat, you may find yourself wondering: why do we celebrate Labor Day? What does it represent? How did we get started on this holiday? Here at SMW, we love us some… View More
Direct Physical Damage
August 22, 2023 12:15 pm Leave your thoughts There are several factors that will determine if you have a covered loss. Having a loss within the policy period is one important factor, but whether or not the event triggered coverage is just as crucial. The first question to ask: “Was there direct physical damage to covered property?” What is direct physical damage, you… View More
Understand Your Loss of Use Coverage
August 15, 2023 12:27 pm 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
Surface Water vs. Water Main Break: Key Definitions in Your Insurance Policy
August 8, 2023 12:54 pm Leave your thoughts Surface water is an excluded loss under insurance policies, except for flood insurance policies. But what is “surface water” exactly? If a water main breaks under the street in front of your home, and the water enters your basement causing damage to your mechanical room, is this damage covered? Once the broken pipe’s water flows… View More