Seven Reasons to Hire Pinnacle, a Public Adjuster

#1 It Doesn’t Cost You Anything Unless and Until We Get You a Settlement!

We’re so confident that we don’t require any money from you. We will evaluate, estimate, and file your claim without a payment. We will wait until you get paid. We always provide a written estimate, so you know what we will collect from the settlement. No settlement, no payment. Plain and simple to understand.

#2 We Only Represent You

There’s no question or perplexity in who we work for, it’s only you. Our entire focus is on you, the client. We always represent the claimant, you, never the insurance company. (Insurance companies also use public adjusters and some public adjusters will work for both sides, but not us.)

Give us the opportunity to prove ourselves to you. After all, it costs you NOTHING to try us.

New Leaf services FAQs

What services does New Leaf offer?

New Leaf offers ‘direct cremation’ services at an affordable price. Forms are filled out online or over the phone. We provide efficient, quality service at a clear, reasonable price.

Arrangements are made online or over the phone.

We provide efficient, quality service at a clear, reasonable price.

How does the process work?

-A call to New Leaf or a visit to our website is all that is needed to start the process

– You choose your package and receive a quote, complete the online forms, and provide payment.

-We then dispatch our licensed funeral directors to transport your loved one from the place of death to our climate controlled holding facility for care and storage.

-We then register the death with the local municipality. Forms, certificates and authorizations are completed according to New York State laws before the cremation can take place.

-Once the forms and authorizations have been signed and filed with the local health department, the decedent is transferred to a third party crematory (as required by New York State law) for cremation. Usually this takes place within 3-7 days.

-The ashes are then shipped to the family or a hand delivery/pickup is arranged.

How long does the process usually take?

The overall cremation process, from notification until the family receives the ashes, will take an average of 7–15 days (you said you would hold body for five days when we spoke; can you hold a body more than that without cremation; should note that if there is a delay, as outlined below, body must be cremated). (We can’t cremate until the forms are filed. If the delay is longer than 5 days we charge a storage fee per day) Funeral homes are at the mercy of the medical examiner and others, though, so delays can and do occur.

The overall cremation process, from initial arrangements until the family receives the ashes, will take an average of 10–15 days.

Delays may occur when local, state or federal agencies, police, county coroner, or medical examiners become involved and investigate the circumstances surrounding a death, or the attending physician delays signing the death certificate.

You can rest assured that New Leaf will keep you informed every step of the way should a delay occur.

**Note: Should a delay in obtaining the death certificate require us to store your loved one in our care beyond the standard 3 day window, a daily ‘custodial care’ of $150/day will apply.

Is the memorial service included?

No, New Leaf handles the cremation allowing you to plan your own memorial service. If you would like to have a memorial service at one of our partner funeral homes we will be happy to arrange.

How are the ashes delivered?

Your loved one’s ashes will be either shipped through USPS Priority Mail, or hand-delivered by one of our representatives. They come in a rigid plastic container unless an urn is purchased through our website.

Does low cost mean low quality?

When it comes to a traditional funeral, yes, you get what you pay for- nicer facilities, nicer livery vehicles, etc. Direct Cremations are different however. New Leaf offers an efficient service and we pride ourselves on quality customer service. We believe that a person’s financial standing should not preclude them from a dignified end, and that every life should be celebrated. We treat our clients like family, just as we have for over 100 years at our partner funeral homes.

#3 We Have the Staff & Expertise to Get the Most For Your Claim

Determining the extent of a loss and filing the claim with the insurance company is both a skill and an art. We know what the insurance company wants to see to justify the claim amount; we know what documentation is needed for trouble-free claim payment; and, we know what the “hot” buttons are that risk a denial of the claim, i.e., establishing when the claim occurred; documenting specifics for why a certain expense is justified; etc.

Also, while a contractor may have the expertise and knowledge to estimate what damage will cost to fix as well as fix it, they don’t usually have the skilled writers to most clearly write the claim form and deal with the back-and-forth written communication between the insurance company and the party representing you (are they even in the office during the day, or they out working a job? Oh well, just a day or two delay EACH TIME the insurance company askes for more documentation or a detailed question.).

On complex claims, in Florida, perhaps arbitration will be required. Does the contractor have time to go to a hearing on your behalf, clearly enunciate why you deserve what you are asking for, and produce further documentation to support your case. We do. We act as expert witnesses in many homeowner damage claim arbitration cases, and even trials. We have the expertise and experience to see your case is clearly outlined to get you the best result.

#4 Florida Requires Arbitration; We Have Your Back

To stress further, if you’re not happy with the insurance company’s settlement offer, you might be headed to arbitration. Guess what? The arbitrator is paid for by the insurance company. Think that makes it easier to get a fair settlement? Not likely. Again, our expertise and ability to clearly state the reasons your claim amount is justified, as well as to document your claim, are proven and timely. And, we are only too willing to “go to court” and fight for your rights in arbitration. We expect to have to go to arbitration from time-to-time. We’ve built that into our practice. Think your contractor is ready to take off work and plead your case? Not. Remember too that an attorney is going to need to hire someone like us, i.e., a public adjuster, to document the claim. Why take two steps? Hire us, Pinnacle, and you are probably not even going to go to arbitration, or court, so an attorney is superfluous.

#5 Fight Fire With Fire

In almost all cases, once you file a claim, the insurance company is going to hire their own public adjuster to evaluate and estimate the damage. Do you think he/she is interested in providing the best estimate or a “low ball’ estimate? By having us on your side, you can fight fire with fire; we have the expertise to deal on a peer-level with the insurance companies representative, which gives you stronger push-back against dubious low balling. What’s amazing is that their estimator won’t show you how they arrived at their total claim amount, it’s work-product and only available to their client, the insurance company. Armed with our studies and estimates, you have the tools to counterdict their low ball offer.

#6 You’re Going to Get a Low Ball Offer to Start the Process

Insurance companies need to settle open claims. They are most likely to first offer a totally insufficient amount in the hopes you will take it. DON’T. By employing us, we can intelligently respond to their offer and point out it’s deficieincies, i.e., missed structural replacement, underpricing of materials and labor, etc. Then, the insurance company is on notice that you are not a stooge and they will need to make a reasonable, fair, offer to settle the claim.

By the way, don’t count on your insurance agent helping. He’s paid his commission by the insurance company and may risk both employment and bonuses by supporting your claim. One area of considerable latitude is the extent of the damage. Perhaps only a section of f roof or wall was ruined. Florida law states that f the repair for the damage can’t be matched, then all of the roof, wall, or section must be replaced.

Don’t be surprised if the insurance company waits pretty much the full 90 days to make an offer. Time in on their side and delays may make you nervous. By hiring us right away, we can communicate with the insurance company quickly, prod them often, and get them to make an offer and settle quickly. (There have been estimates that the insurance companies only offer 15%-25% of the actual value of the claim in their first offer; they’re expecting kickback and negotiation, but that kickback needs to be backed by fact, not simply a statement that the offer is “too low” (the insurance company didn’t think so; they made the offer).

#7 What Are You Entitled To?

Insurance policies are written by the insurance companies. While it’s too strong to say they are deliberately obtuse, it’s not too strong to say they are hard to interpret and understand. The insurance company writes the policiesm dictates the terms, sets the conditions, and itemizes the exclusions. Unfortunately, you have to live with these terms and conditions. But, just what are those terms and conditions? We can review your policy and help you understand its provisions; and, we can interpret its terms and conditions as favorably for you as possible. Is that water damaged covered? Depends on whether it was flood related or not (not covered) or merely rain damaged from a storm (covered).