Statute of Limitations

More claims & insurance terms

• Soot

  The fine black powder left when fuel or building materials burn without enough oxygen. It sticks to surfaces, stains them, and carries odor, so a fire claim usually needs cleaning, sealing and deodorization lines, often followed by repaint. How far the soot traveled decides how much of the building gets cleaned.

• Staff Adjuster

  An adjuster who is a direct employee of the insurance carrier, not an independent adjuster hired for the storm. Their estimate sets the starting scope, and supplements go back to them or their supervisor for review. How much authority each one has varies by carrier.

• Storm Chasing

  Out-of-town crews that follow hail and wind events, knock doors, and often offer to handle the claim for the homeowner. Some do solid work, but they usually leave after the season, so warranty and callbacks are the real risk. Check licensing, insurance, and a local address before signing anything.

• Storm Damage

  Damage caused by a weather event such as hail, wind, or a fallen limb, as opposed to age, wear, or bad installation. Carriers test cause and timing, so the claim is strongest when the loss date, the weather record, and the damage agree. An adjuster may still call some marks cosmetic or pre-existing.

• Subrogation

  An insurer's right to recover what it paid from whoever actually caused the loss, such as a careless manufacturer or another driver. It means a closed claim can reopen, so keep your photos and documents after settlement. Recovery usually goes to the paying carrier, and the rules vary by state.

• Subrogation Waiver

  A contract clause in which a party gives up the right to have its insurer pursue the other party (or that party's insurer) after a loss, common in leases and construction contracts. It can block the carrier from recovering what it paid, even when the other party caused the damage. Whether it holds up depends on the contract, the state, and the policy.

Common questions