Lumber and Hardware Claims
As the owner of a mill; a manufacturer of hardware components; a wholesaler or distributor; or a lumberyard or hardware store, the losses that you can experience during a disaster can be devastating. You do not have the time to be worrying about the insurance claims process. Since 1946, our licensed public adjusters have lifted the burden of managing insurance claims on your own. We evaluate and document not only the physical damage to your property, but also the income lost from business interruption.
Saturday afternoon, June 18th, was a very busy Saturday in our Mission Street hardware store. It was our second store, born 32 years ago. We lost it completely that afternoon in a five-alarm fire. I’m sure there was a large cast of support staff, but I wanted to take a moment to convey my appreciation for Greenspan Co./ Adjusters International’s professional representation of Cole Hardware. Our claim was put together quickly, carefully and with our total engagement in the process. When we were finally able to negotiate with the insurance company, we reached a settlement that was 1/3 more than what the insurance company was offering.
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You just suffered serious damage and are wondering what to do next.
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You call your insurance company and wait for an adjuster to come out, hoping they will have your best interests at heart.
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You move from the asset side of your insurance company's ledger to the liability side.
We Can Help
Knowing everything you possibly can about the "fine print" of your insurance policy before you have any substantive dialogue with your insurer is an absolute necessity. Know what you are covered for and how to claim it. What you say to your insurance company's adjuster and how you say it can make a dramatic difference in how much you get paid. The more you know, the better the results.
Lumber and Hardware Factors to Consider
Be sure to understand each of the following factors before engaging with the insurance company. Knowledge is the key to a successful claim outcome.
- What is my broker's/agent’s role?
- Does the adjuster work for us or the insurance company? Why they can't work for both. It's a conflict.
- Warranties and Protective Safeguard requirements. What do they mean? Can I still collect if I am not in full compliance?
- How quickly can I get started rebuilding?
- What is the difference between a schedule of values and a schedule of limits?
- Does my risk manager have the requisite skill sets to negotiate a large property claim?
- Does the insurance company pay for professionals necessary to evaluate my claim? Are they working for me or them?
- What happens when the insurance company engages a forensic accountant? Who does that accountant work for?
- Is there coinsurance in my policy? What does it mean?
- What are extra expenses? What can be included? Can I use extra expenses to offset shortfalls in property coverages?
- How is actual cash value determined? Why should I care?
- Can I compensate employees who help with cleaning or restoration?
- Replacement properties. Lease purchase strategy. Is it good for me?
- Replacing versus repairing equipment/processing lines. Pros and cons.
- Is the insurance company using an independent building or equipment consultant to prepare a bid? Who are these consultants? Who are they working for? Do they only work for insurance companies?
- How does my policy address increased costs due to new codes? If my coverage is limited, what can I do about it?
- Will the insurance company pay for a construction manager?
- Should I have concerns as to how my insurer deals with pollutants - hazardous materials - lead & asbestos?
- Stock in the yard. How far from the building is coverage afforded? Measured from where?
- Are vehicles covered? What about engines and parts?
- How do smoke and the water used to fight the fire affect my machinery? Equipment? Computers? Other electronics?
- Valuation of raw materials. Work in progress. Finished goods. Methodologies employed.
- Can I recast my financial statements? If so, why?
- Do I understand why coinsurance clauses in loss of income coverage can lead to disastrous results when including labor expenses in the cost of goods manufactured and exclude those labor expenses in the business interruption evaluation?
- Credit for continuing sales. How are they calculated?
- Can I continue to pay my employees?
- What is the difference between Actual Loss Sustained and Sales Value of Production and how does it affect my claim?
- What are expediting expenses? How do they differ from extra expenses?
- How do I project lost sales? Sales declines?
- How do I project sales of new products?
- Can I use proformas/budgets to calculate loss of income?
- Federal grants and subsidies: are they considered income?
- Increased efficiency and productivity with new equipment. Does the insurance company get a “credit?”
- Temporary facilities. Portables. Hardscape. Temporary or permanent? How presenting my story can affect my recovery. Do I know my policy provisions?
Lumber and Hardware References
In addition to the 5,000+ references on our list, here are some well-known names in the lumber and hardware industry we have helped.
- Academy Manufacturing
- Agate Beach Supply
- Barsotti's Painting
- Cole Hardware
- Bald Knob Mill Veneer Company
- Colonial Hardware
- CTD Machines, Inc.
- Flexible Plumber Tool
- Mars Sales Company
- National Lumber & Building Materials Dealers Association (NLBMDA)
- Rickel Home Centers
- Roscoe Hardware
- Superior Moulding
- True Value Hardware Stores
- Valley Lumber & Building Supply
- Pacific States Industries
- Pride Paint Company Formerly: Hoffmann Paint Company
- Standard Structures / Shilo Oaks Company
- Thunderbolt Wood Treating
- Trinity River Lumber Mill
- Tuff-Weld (Wood Specialties)
The Difference Public Adjusters Make
We work exclusively for YOU, not the insurance company. Our insurance professionals have managed and negotiated thousands of claims for nearly every type of natural and man-made disaster. Local in our approach, we have over forty offices across the U.S. and Canada, and an unmatched network of expert resources to efficiently mobilize and be at your side.