Panzarella Public Adjusters LLC

09/26/2026

🔥 A Fire Insurance Claim Is About More Than What You Can See

Yesterday, Panzarella Public Adjusters, LLC was retained by homeowners dealing with a fire and smoke damage claim.

Like many homeowners, they initially tried to navigate the claim directly with their insurance company. Unfortunately, as the claim progressed, they became concerned that important areas of damage, necessary procedures, and numerous repair items were not being fully addressed.

This is where having an experienced public adjuster can make a significant difference.

Fire and smoke losses can be extremely complex. The damage isn't always limited to what is visibly burned. Smoke, soot, and fire-related contaminants can travel throughout a home, affecting walls, ceilings, insulation, HVAC systems, furnishings, clothing, and other personal property.

If these areas aren't properly identified, documented, cleaned, and addressed, a homeowner could potentially lose tens of thousands of dollars in covered repairs and personal property—and, just as importantly, be left with lingering smoke odors and contamination long after the claim is closed.

That's why I strongly encourage homeowners after a fire to:

• Read your entire insurance policy, not just the declarations page.
• Understand what your policy actually provides.
• Make sure the complete scope of damage is properly documented.
• Don't assume an insurance estimate includes everything necessary to restore your home.
• Consider an independent professional review of the mitigation, remediation, and repair scope.
• Make sure recognized industry standards, including applicable IICRC fire and smoke restoration guidelines, are being properly considered.

Your home is probably one of the largest investments you will ever make. After a fire, you deserve to understand exactly what happened to it, what needs to be done to properly restore it, and what your insurance policy provides.

Panzarella Public Adjusters, LLC
Helping homeowners understand their claims, document their losses, and advocate for the benefits available under their policies.

06/11/2026

03/20/2023

Before you file an insurance claim for damage to your home, get FREE CONSULTATION, NO OBLIGATION PROFESSIONAL CLAIM ADVICE. 24 hr. Emergency service. If you have a claim that has been denied in the last 12 months that you feel should have been covered, call me to discuss.

03/05/2023

Rain, Storm or wind damage to your home? Before you file a claim, get FREE CONSULTATION, NO OBLIGATION PROFESSIONAL CLAIM ADVICE. 24 hr. Emergency service.

Panzarella Public Adjusters, LLC is a fully licensed and bonded public insurance adjusting company serving south east Pennsylvania. We specialize in property damage, advocating for the homeowner, not the insurance company.

01/02/2023

State Farm denied your claim for water loss stating the leak occurred “over a period of time,” and is not covered. This is their way of trying to get out of paying you when you suffer a loss, in the hopes that you won’t fight back when your claim is denied.

In the past few years, State Farm has changed its policy to state that continuous or repeated leaks which occur “over a period of time” are not covered. They have created their own "ambiguous" time frame and then interpret this language in favor of themselves.

What exactly is that “period of time”? A minute? A Week? A month? At what point is the damage no longer covered under State Farm’s policy?

The State Farm water damage coverage clause provides no explanation as to how long water seepage can occur before they are no longer obligated to provide coverage for damages.

Here is an example:

Imagine you have a leaky pipe behind the sink. You can’t see it because it is hidden behind the wall. Finally, after a week or so, the leak shows in the form of water stains appearing on your floors, walls, or ceiling. You contact State Farm to submit a claim in the hopes that it will be approved and you can begin making repairs before the leak gets worse.
State Farm denies your claim, stating that the damage was caused by a “continuous leak” which has occurred over “a period of time”, and therefore not covered under your policy.

State Farm has tried to do this in all kinds of scenarios.

The law is very clear that, when a policy is ambiguous, it must be interpreted in the way most favorable to the insured (you). Period.
By denying your claim under this exclusion, State Farm is knowingly acting in bad faith. This means that, in addition to receiving reimbursement for damages caused by water leaks, you could be entitled to an additional financial award from State Farm if you take legal action.
By denying your claim under this exclusion, State Farm is knowingly acting in bad faith by violating the laws put in place to protect you. If you have been denied a claim under this exclusion, you should contact me to discuss it.

Credit: Joseph S. Panzarella, Public Adjuster, Anthony J. DiUlio, Atty at Law

01/01/2023

🤓Recent Storm Claim. It's important for you to first understand the duty and obligation of the homeowner's insurance in regard to siding and roofing claims. Understanding what the homeowner's insurance provides in the event of this type of loss is pertinent. That’s probably 99% of the reason for most issues with insurance claims and why Roofing and Siding Claims Cause Frustration.
When siding and/or roofing is damaged as the result of a covered claim, there is always the chance that the replacement siding/roofing will not match what’s left. And for most people, their home is their biggest investment and a tremendous source of pride. If the replacement materials look crummy, then how does that make them look? Totally understandable.
But it’s important for you to first understand the duty and obligation of the homeowners insurance in regards to siding and roofing claims.

The insurance policy is designed to place you in the same financial position following a loss that existed before a loss occurred. This is also called indemnification.
So, if you have a hole in your house, the insurance company’s obligation is to repair the hole. If you are missing siding, they are obligated to put siding back on. If you’re missing roofing, their obligation is to put roofing where the wind ripped it off. See a pattern here?
Notice I DIDN’T say they are obligated to make it match and look aesthetically pleasant, complete with a rainbow, puppy dogs and chirping birds sitting on your window sill.

The policy simply doesn’t say that. NO insurance policy does, at least in PA. They do try to do what they can. But claims adjusters are bound by the policy and also work for the insurance company.

What if your siding and/or roofing is simply worn out or weathered due to time and exposure? Same answer applies.
BUT……….What if your Siding and/or Roofing Materials are simply no longer made/obsolete/not available?

12/30/2022

Thought for the day
It's not until a homeowner has a loss then they read their insurance policy.

12/22/2022

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