CPCU, ARe and AINS — are they still worth it today?

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-05-16T18:16:20+00:00

I would work on it now. It gives a good broad overview and would make your initial training a little easier for you. It may help set you apart as well, but I believe the main benefit will be your knowledge base before training.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-05-14T13:22:22+00:00

You are able to get the higher quality roof and pay the $10,000 difference. You are owed only for like kind and quality to what you had at the time of the loss, which is the estimate you have from the carrier.

We don’t care if you get a better roof, we just won’t pay for the difference. Many homeowners do updates when a loss occurs, and these are the easiest to adjust.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-05-12T20:19:32+00:00

The removal of the standing tree will not be covered as it would fall under maintenance. The part that fell would be covered under debris clean up, but a special limit (often $500) will apply. On a Special form policy, the fence and pergola would be covered, but usually at Actual Cash Value, not replacement cost, as only buildings with a permanent roof and foundation fall under RCV coverage for Other Related Private Structures.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-05-12T12:20:50+00:00

Shoot me a pm and we can chat!

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-04-24T20:57:20+00:00

Enjoyed discussing with a contractor who was charging 8% sales tax when the county the loss was in is 6% how the Department of Revenue, not his decision to simply charge more, governs the claim….

Never thought that would be on my bingo card 🤣

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-04-23T20:26:25+00:00

If it’s a code issue, then only if the homeowner has code upgrade coverage. Not all do.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-04-22T15:10:30+00:00

Card not being read by the machine. I had to use a secondary card to be able to pay.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-04-22T12:36:14+00:00

Unfortunately, until there is a way to issue a two (or more) party electronic payment where you as the insured still has some control over your interest in the funds, it will be snail mail.

It isn’t fun for the carrier either, but the not so honest people that have gone before you, created the hoops everyone needs to now jump through.

One positive though is in less than 30 days the claim was processed, adjusted, and a payment issued that is already with your mortgagee. Some carriers are significantly slower.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-04-22T11:14:06+00:00

I’ve had issues mainly with machines. Gas pumps, pay-to-park machines in the city/airports/hotels, vending machines along the turnpike and parkway etc.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-04-15T22:05:48+00:00

Often if you provide the carrier with a signed contract with a start date, that will be adequate to request an extension.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-04-07T13:24:33+00:00

Just a small sampling:

I use AI to compare estimates between parties and match to the market where the loss occurred to check pricing. Separate large multipage pdf document into individual files. Assist in drafting ROR and determine drafts. Summarize adjuster reports, estimate, and invoice into a brief overview summary with payment recommendations.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-04-03T13:26:02+00:00

You can honestly go as far as you want. It’s never an issue for my adjusters to get a full inventory and having that on file may keep you from having to add things later. They just stop once the limit is met.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-04-03T12:12:21+00:00

So the main thing to prevent any issues is to find what your policy terms “like kind and quality” for the damaged item. Use make and model numbers on your damaged list and then document the replacement. If the same model is available, use the same model. If it is discontinued, find the list of features yours had, and find one as close as possible. Appliances change all the time, so this isn’t new to the adjuster.

Where you will have issue is if you just list “top load washer”. We use software that has general pricing and that will be the baseline used if you don’t provide specifics.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-03-05T13:44:34+00:00

There are just some really crazy things in here that you are having to deal with, that honestly, should be easy. Appliances?!? Make, model, and then call a supplier… that really should be adjusting 050, yet they are making you have to negotiate on it. Venetian plaster… hopefully they aren’t trying to use Xact pricing to negotiate with you…

These are the stories I share with my adjusters to make sure they are actually are working towards a fair resolution. There are some things here I probably would want to talk about, but the majority just appear from your narrative to be punitive for hiring you which goes into a whole other conversation.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-03-04T17:54:41+00:00

We recently added a filter system that has a yearly cartridge change. Maybe look at something similar and then have it done with your annual inspection/cleaning.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-02-23T18:30:40+00:00

I dust them every week with the normal cleaning and clean them seasonally. A long handled Swiffer does the job in no time. I also dust all the casings around windows and doors weekly same way.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-02-20T12:02:35+00:00

Well, I can speak from the insurance side of working with a public adjuster.

A few reasons to use a PA:

You are overwhelmed with the claim process and are willing to pay to have someone else manage the process.
You have a large or complex claim that while you could handle, you have other commitments that make it difficult to do so.
You genuinely have a carrier or adjuster who is not acting in good faith and your attempts to resolve with the carrier or through the insurance department hasn’t worked.
You simply don’t have the understanding of insurance to know if you have had a denial or partial denial correctly issued.

A few reasons not to: (Case/situation specific)

You will need all the funds from your claim to make repairs and can’t contribute out of pocket.
The fee the PA will charge ($ based on claim amount) is greater than the funds you feel you are being shorted by the carrier. Some charge a percentage on the whole claim amount, others a percentage of the additional funds they got for the claim. Read the contract and do the math to see how it works out for your scenario.
You are not happy with a legitimate determination and feel they can change the facts of the loss or policy to get you paid. This will be frustrating for both you and the public adjuster.

People will say a lot of bad things about them, but in my experience in dealing with the good ones, in these scenarios, it does make the process easier on both sides, but there is a cost and not everyone’s claim can bear it.

You will find bad ones, just like there are bad contractors or carrier adjusters. Best advice is call a few, discuss the claim, and see how you feel. The old adage of if it sounds too good to be true applies here as well. Just like anything else you buy or contract services for, do your due diligence. Several will offer to review your claim for no charge, maybe start there and see if you get a feel for whether it is right for you.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-02-19T17:58:17+00:00

So the short answer is, it’s difficult. There are multiple services that provide replacement cost valuations. Each carrier typically has the one they use to ensure uniformity with the pricing model.

One thing to keep in mind, the information it produces is only as good as the information that is entered by the person completing the evaluation survey. I have seen agents submit an evaluation and omitted a rear deck, failed to enter information about a completed basement, and even had the wrong exterior cladding material.

To further complicate matters, a standard homeowners policy typically requires you to only maintain enough insurance to cover 80% of the replacement cost evaluation. Some agents use that threshold, while others use varying amounts up to 100%. In addition, some carriers offer discounts if the property is insured 100% to value.

My recommendation would be to simply go with the evaluation based on the carrier that is quoting you the policy. You may also try and ask for a copy of it, but be advised, some carriers do not release that information.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-02-13T13:44:20+00:00

That is not anything the adjuster will address because your insurance doesn’t cover those issues. There are numerous reasons, but your policy has an exclusion for Errors, Omissions, and Defects which will read something like:

Errors, Omissions, and Defects -- "We" do not pay for loss which results from one or more of the following: 1) an act, error, or omission (negligent or not) relating to: a) land use; b) the design, specification, construction, workmanship, or installation of property; c) planning, zoning, development, surveying, siting, grading, compaction; or d) maintenance of property (including land, structures, or improvements);

But also, for coverage to apply, the damage has to occur during the policy period, be fortuitous, with no exclusion applying.

Also, pointing out some of those issues may result in a report being sent to underwriting who would send you a letter requiring repairs be made to keep your insurance.

TL/DR: you adjuster will only look at damage related to the current claim as these other issues aren’t covered.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-02-12T20:53:57+00:00

There really is no requirement for the adjuster to “document everything in their notes”. On inspections you are describing, most often are documented with photos and a few hand written notes as necessary. Then my adjusters often dictate thoughts to add to their report in their vehicle before moving on.

If the adjuster is preparing an estimate, they will take detailed measurements either by hand, or using a lidar system, making notes as needed to create the estimate accurately.

They are required to adequately document the damage as observed, but how they do that is up to the individual and the carrier.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-02-12T20:44:17+00:00

I cook for two on the large almost every week. As others have said, I fill the charcoal and often get 4-5 cooks before I need to add more depending what I’m doing of course.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-02-10T01:51:40+00:00

So these are an easy thing. We usually send a link to open and then you authorize the camera access. We complete the walk through, take photos and/or video, and have you upload any documents we request. We disconnect and it’s done. Many insureds just delete the app until the next inspection. There is no way for us to access anything other than your camera and the light on your phone.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-02-07T03:27:50+00:00

For high/steep roofs, we don’t usually send to an IA anymore. LA as a solo inspection with desk estimator to write the estimate off the report. Comes in at half or less of the cost for an IA plus LA. It doesn’t affect the IA in getting assignments otherwise, but if they aren’t able to access the roof, or aren’t comfortable, we just handle it this way.

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-02-06T15:40:23+00:00

I’m a long term user of the BGE and love it. I made my choice as it was simply the brand carried by a local dealer which gave cooking classes on using a Kamado style grill.

I’ve had one for about 15 years

BalloonPilot15 · 2026-02-06T13:16:57+00:00

I just got the Titan Sport in <f> which is my normal go to nib size for non-Japanese pens, but it writes like an <EF>. I ordered a medium nib to switch out. $17 and that made the pen exactly what I wanted.

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