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.

The First 24 Hours

September 19, 2023 12:14 pm Published by 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 Published by 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 Published by 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 Published by 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 Published by 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 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

Surface Water vs. Water Main Break: Key Definitions in Your Insurance Policy

August 8, 2023 12:54 pm Published by 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

It’s Hurricane Season

August 1, 2023 12:48 pm Published by Leave your thoughts IT’S HURRICANE SEASON, AND ESPECIALLY IF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS IS IN A COASTAL AREA, KEEP THESE TIPS IN MIND TO PREPARE FOR A STORM THAT MAY BRING DAMAGING WIND, RAIN AND FLOODING: • Trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe. • Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts… View More

A Tree Falling On Your Roof Is Different Than a Tree Falling In Your Yard

July 18, 2023 12:53 pm Published by Leave your thoughts When windstorms hit the leafy neighborhoods of Boston’s MetroWest suburbs, we go to work. Big winds take down a lot of trees, and homeowners have several questions about their insurance coverage and possible solutions. Here are some of the top tips we shared with these homeowners: Take a look at your homeowner’s insurance policy –… View More

Coinsurance

July 5, 2023 4:33 pm Published by Leave your thoughts Let’s say your business has a commercial insurance policy with $1 million in coverage, and one of the buildings covered by your policy suffers damage that will cost $100K to repair.  You should be all set, right?  Not always. How can this be so? Coinsurance. Coinsurance is a clause in commercial policies that allows the… View More