Frequently Asked Questions
About Storm Checks & Our Services
What is Storm Checks, and how do you differ from insurance adjusters?
We are building consultants who specialize in maximizing insurance claim recoveries for commercial property owners. Unlike insurance adjusters who work for the insurance company, we work exclusively for you, the property owner, to maximize your settlement.
What makes Storm Checks different from other consultants?
Our founder, Michael Paul, spent over two decades inside the insurance industry minimizing claim payouts for insurance companies. After seeing countless property owners left under-compensated, he decided to switch sides and founded Storm Checks to help property owners instead. We leverage this insider knowledge of insurance company tactics and strategies to maximize settlements for our clients.
What types of properties do you work with?
We specialize in large commercial properties, including:
Office buildings and complexes
Retail centers
Industrial facilities
Multi-family complexes
Healthcare facilities
Educational institutions
REIT portfolios
Are your services available nationwide?
Yes, we work with commercial property owners across all 50 states.
Process & Claims
What is the first step in working with Storm Checks?
We start with a free consultation and property assessment where we:
1. Conduct a thorough inspection of all property areas
2. Document visible and potential hidden damage
3. Review your insurance policy coverage
4. Provide strategic recommendations for maximizing your claim
How do you determine the value of a claim?
We conduct a comprehensive assessment of damages, review your policy coverage, and use our industry expertise to ensure all potential claims are identified and properly valued. Our background in insurance company practices helps us anticipate and counter standard reduction tactics.
What documents will you need from me?
Typically, we need:
Your insurance policy
Any correspondence with your insurer
Documentation of the damage
Property maintenance records We'll guide you through exactly what's needed during our initial consultation.
Costs & Payment
What are your fees?
We work on a contingency basis with a straightforward 20% fee of the settlement amount. For properties with existing offers, you keep 100% of what you've already received, and our 20% fee only applies to any additional amount we secure above the initial offer.
Are there any upfront costs or additional fees?
No. There are no upfront costs, attorney fees, or hidden charges. You only pay our percentage if and when we secure a settlement for you.
Special Situations
Can you help if I've already received an offer from my insurance company?
Yes. You keep 100% of what you've already received, and our fee only applies to any additional amount we secure above the initial offer. For example, if you were initially offered $200,000 and we secure $1,000,000, you keep the full $200,000 and our fee only applies to the additional $800,000 we recovered.
Can you help if I've already sold the property?
Yes, we can still help you recover funds even if you've already sold the property. As long as the damage occurred while you owned the property, you may still be entitled to compensation.
What if my claim has been denied?
We can help by reviewing the denial and negotiating with the insurer to seek a fair resolution. Our insider knowledge of insurance company practices often helps us successfully overturn claim denials.
How should I think about insurance premiums when considering filing a claim?
This is an important consideration that requires careful analysis. Here's what you need to know:
Insurance premiums in storm-affected areas typically increase by 10-30% regardless of whether you file a claim, due to regional weather events and market conditions.
When deciding whether to file a claim, we help you analyze the pure cost-benefit: comparing the potential settlement amount against any possible premium increases.
If you recover a substantial settlement, the financial benefit often far outweighs any premium increases.
Before filing, we also help evaluate your property's insurability status to ensure filing a claim won't affect your ability to maintain coverage.