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Be a Smarter HomeownerAuthor: Beth Dodson and John Bodrozic
Welcome to Be a Smarter Homeowner podcast, where hosts, Beth Dodson and John Bodrozic are dedicated to helping you save money and get organized while managing, maintaining, protecting, improving, and eventually buying or selling your largest financial asset and biggest expense, your home. Discover how easy it is to be a smarter homeowner. Having worked with homeowners for over 20 years, your co-hosts are two of the three co-founders of HomeZada, a digital home management software platform that helps you to manage everything about your home in one digital place. Episodes of Be a Smarter Homeowner Podcast will feature John and Beth as they explore all the different aspects you need to know while owning a home; from home maintenance, home improvement projects, tracking your home finances, storing important documents, to creating a home inventory. With a focus on the financial impacts all of these things have on your home's value and the expense to own it, turn the complexities of homeownership into solutions that will make your life easy and stress free. Being a homeowner can be costly and frustrating if you're not in the know. How do you know what maintenance tasks to do and when? Most homeowners forget or don't know what to do which ends up costing you more money in repair and energy costs. Do you understand your insurance policy? Save your wallet and home from taking a hit. Make sure you have the coverage for your belongings, with the liability protection you need. Love DIY and home improvement? Plan and manage all your remodel, landscaping, and design projects. Discover how to hire contractors, stay on budget, track your costs, and save information for future tax, insurance, and resale purposes. What financial info should you know? Stay in control and up to date on various financial metrics such as home values, mortgage balance, home equity, household expenses, completed projects and maintenance costs. Where are your home documents? More disasters like wildfires, h Language: en Genres: Home & Garden, Leisure, Technology Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Be a Smarter Claimant - Advice from a World-Renowned Adjuster
Episode 40
Saturday, 13 December, 2025
Summary In this episode, Elizabeth Dodson interviews claims consultant Chantal Roberts, who shares her extensive experience in the insurance industry. They discuss the role of an adjuster in the claims process, the responsibilities of homeowners, and how to effectively communicate and support each other during claims. Chantal emphasizes the importance of understanding the claims process, the need for homeowners to provide necessary information, and the mutual responsibilities of both parties in achieving a successful resolution. In this conversation, Elizabeth Dodson and Chantal M. Roberts discuss the complexities of home insurance claims, emphasizing the importance of clarity, communication, and proactive measures for homeowners. They explore the responsibilities of homeowners, the intricacies of insurance estimates, and the dynamics between adjusters and homeowners. The discussion highlights the need for homeowners to understand their policies, effectively communicate with their adjusters, and take necessary actions to mitigate damages. The conversation concludes with insights on the human element in claims processing and the importance of maintaining a cooperative relationship with insurance professionals. About out Guest: Chantal M. Roberts, CPCU, AIC, RPA, ITP, is a claims consultant, expert witness, professor, and author with over 25 years of experience. She specializes in claim handling standards and litigation support. Chantal is also a Bankrate Expert Contributor, writing about insurance in a clear, relatable way. She teaches at BMCC–CUNY and The Institutes and is the author of The Art of Adjusting and Once Upon A Claim - www.cmrconsulting.net Special offer for our audience: a discounted version of Chantal's book here Buy Once Upon A Claim: Fairy Tales to Protect Your Ass(ets) Takeaways Chantal Roberts has over 25 years of experience in claims consulting. Adjusters often handle a large volume of claims, making their role challenging. Homeowners need to understand their responsibilities in the claims process. Mitigation is crucial to prevent further damage during a claim. Communication between homeowners and adjusters is key to a smooth process. Homeowners should provide all necessary documentation to their adjuster. The claims process involves several steps, including investigation and resolution. Adjusters are there to facilitate the claims process, not to deny claims. Understanding the insurance policy is essential for homeowners. Both parties have responsibilities to ensure a successful claims outcome. Clarity is essential for homeowners during the claims process. Homeowners must understand their responsibilities and insurance policies. Effective communication with adjusters can expedite claims. Mitigation of damages is crucial to avoid further losses. Homeowners should be proactive in providing information to adjusters. Understanding estimates is vital for homeowners to avoid confusion. Adjusters handle numerous claims and may not remember individual cases. Building a good relationship with adjusters can lead to better outcomes. Homeowners should document everything related to their claims. Trusting the process and being patient can lead to smoother claims resolution. Sound bites "We can't lowball you." "It's a process." "Trust the process." Chapters 00:30 Introduction to Claims Consulting and Adjusting 02:27 The Role of an Adjuster in the Claims Process 09:08 Understanding the Claims Process for Homeowners 17:41 Navigating Adjuster Changes and Claim Management 21:13 How Homeowners Can Support Their Claims Process 27:10 Utilizing Technology for Home Insurance Claims 30:03 Understanding Responsibilities in the Claims Process 37:40 Navigating Communication with Adjusters 50:03 The Importance of Detailed Estimates 55:53 The Evolution of Communication in Claims Adjusting 59:25 Understanding the Claims Process 01:02:26 The Importance of Clarity in Communication 01:04:52 Mitigation Strategies for Homeowners 01:08:31 Navigating the Adjuster-Homeowner Relationship 01:13:06 Resources for Homeowners: Books and Tools0 Final Thoughts: Awareness and Preparedness for Homeowners
