Storms, floods, fires and other natural disasters caused an enormous amount of damage in 2017. Beyond the usual house fires and basement flooding, the U.S. suffered from an unprecedented number of weather and climate disasters. In fact, according to the …
Billiards is a cue sport that includes a variety of games that generally include a cue stick that is used to strike billiard balls on a table bounded by elastic bumpers known as cushions. Generally regarded to have evolved from …
Residents and tourists were unprepared for a devastating wildfire that whipped through Gatlinburg, Tenn., last fall. Winds topping 87 miles per hour fanned the flames that began in the Smoky Mountains and quickly spread through the mountain town, destroying homes …
Every insurer wants to settle contents claims quickly and accurately, but how well do we succeed in that aim? Truth be told, inaccuracies related to either the age, brand name, material or size of items can lead to an over …
As a claims pro, are you ready to step into Mar-a-Lago? It is rumored F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “The rich are different than you and me.” To which his contemporary Ernest Hemingway rejoined, “Yes, they have more money.” Whether …
My appraisal team was recently asked to determine feasibility of restoration or conservation as well as the replacement values for 18 rugs damaged in a water loss. Color runs, discoloration and stains were among the types of damage incurred. Seller …
A piece worth millions or hundreds? The tricky business of identifying antique furniture As any viewer of the popular TV show Antiques Roadshow will tell you, the identity of an antique determines its value. The true identity of a piece …
Picture this: as an insurance adjuster a new claim lands on your desk. When you travel to the affluent home of the insured, you quickly realize that there are going to be some highly valuable items that need to be …
Does this sound like music to your ears? A rare, fully-signed copy of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper” LP fetched $295,500 at auction in 2013. A copy of Tommy Johnson’s “Alcohol and Jake Blues” 78(rpm) sold for $37,100 the same year, …
Wild weather has become more common with climate change, the experts say, and homeowners can prepare for natural disasters by making home inventories – detailed lists of household belongings and their approximate value. Making a home inventory can be easy; …