What should I do immediately after my property is damaged?
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If your home or business in British Columbia suffers fire damage, flood or water damage, or any other kind of property damage, your first step is always making sure everyone is safe. Next, take detailed photos and videos of the loss before cleanup. Notify your insurer right away. But be careful. Anything you say early on can affect your claim. Contact us for a free insurance claim consultation so you don’t accidentally weaken your case.
How long do I have to file an insurance claim in BC?
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The Insurance Act of British Columbia requires home and business owners to immediately report the damage to their insurer in writing. If your claim is denied, you generally have two years from the date of loss to sue your insurance company. Certain types of coverage may have different deadlines, depending on the wording of your policy. Because every policy has different deadlines, call us quickly to protect your rights.
My insurance company denied my claim in BC. Can I fight back?
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Yes. A denial is not the final word. We regularly overturn denied home insurance claims and denied business insurance claims. Common denial reasons, such as “pre-existing damage” or “policy exclusions”, are often used incorrectly by insurers. As both lawyers and public adjusters, we can challenge denials through negotiation, dispute resolution, or litigation.
Why is the insurance company’s adjuster offering me less than my repair costs?
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Because they work for the insurance company, not you. Insurance companies have a direct financial incentive to reduce payouts. As licensed public adjusters in BC, we create independent estimates of your loss. If the insurer refuses to pay fairly, our law firm side can take legal action. That combination is unique to Pythe Navis MDP.
What’s the difference between a public adjuster and a lawyer in BC?
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A public adjuster prepares, quantifies, and negotiates the claim, while a lawyer can escalate disputes and enforce your rights through the courts. Pythe Navis MDP is the only firm in British Columbia licensed as both a law firm and a public adjusting company, meaning we handle your entire claim from start to finish without passing you between professionals.
How much does it cost to hire a public adjuster or insurance lawyer in BC?
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In most cases, we work on a percentage contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us until we recover from the insurance company for you. The percentage that we charge as public adjusters is often significantly lower than if you hired a lawyer. Unlike most public adjusters, we often agree to put caps on our fees so that you know immediately the maximum amount we will charge you as a potential fee.
What happens during the free consultation?
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We review your insurance policy, the damage, and the insurer’s decision. You’ll get a clear explanation of your options, timelines, and the strength of your case. Whether it’s fire damage, water damage, or a denied business interruption claim, we’ll show you the next steps to recover what you’re owed.
Do you only handle large insurance claims?
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No. We help with homeowner claims of all sizes, from a flooded basement in a family home to multi-million dollar commercial insurance claims. If your insurer is denying or underpaying, we’re here to fight for you.
Do you represent both homeowners and business owners in BC?
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Yes. We represent business owners, homeowners, and strata corporations. We also handle business interruption claims, which are often undervalued or denied by insurers.
Can you handle my claim from start to finish?
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Yes. We are unique in BC. Pythe Navis MDP can manage your claim from the initial public adjusting stage (estimating and submitting the claim) all the way through legal proceedings, if necessary. You’ll have one dedicated team protecting you every step of the way.