If your home or building in Sussex County had a fire, a burst pipe or storm damage, a public adjuster can handle the insurance claim for you. GB Claims LLC is licensed as a public adjuster in New Jersey (NJ License #3004401530) and works only for the policyholder, never for the insurance company. Our office is in Suffern, NY, about 45 minutes from Vernon and Sparta, and we come to the property in person.
Call or text 845-456-6699. If you can, talk to us before the insurance company’s adjuster comes out. You can also send us your claim for a free review.
Why Sussex County claims are often large
Sussex County is one of the most rural parts of New Jersey: lakes, farms, wooded lots and plenty of older and seasonal homes. That changes the claims we see:
- Wood stoves, fireplaces and oil or propane heat. Heating fires are common in the winter.
- Distance from help. Many homes are on long roads with volunteer fire companies and no hydrants, so a fire can do more damage before it is out.
- Lake houses and second homes. Houses around Lake Mohawk, Lake Hopatcong, Highland Lakes and Upper Greenwood Lake can sit empty, and a frozen pipe may run for days.
- Wells and septic. Well pump, pressure tank and septic problems can flood a finished basement.
- Storms and trees. Wind, ice and snow bring trees down on roofs, and outages can stop sump pumps and heat.
What to do first
- Call 911 or a plumber for the emergency, and shut off the water at the main or the well pump.
- Let a restoration company board up, tarp or dry out the house. That is normally part of the claim.
- Report the claim and write down the claim number and the adjuster’s name.
- Photograph everything before it is removed, including closets, cabinets and the basement.
- Do not sign a final settlement or a release until the whole loss has been measured.
Where Sussex County claims get underpaid
- Smoke and soot in rooms away from the fire and in the ductwork
- Water that spread under floors and behind cabinets
- Flooring, cabinets and siding that have to match
- Code upgrades in older farmhouses and lake cottages
- Contents that never made it onto the list
- Living expenses that stop before the repairs are done
- Sump pump and backup damage, which depends on whether the policy has a backup endorsement
Related help: fire damage claims, smoke and soot damage, burst pipe and large water losses, denied or underpaid claims, commercial property claims and our public adjuster FAQ.
Sussex County towns we cover
We work throughout Sussex County, including Newton, Sparta, Lake Mohawk, Vernon, Highland Lakes, Hopatcong, Franklin, Hamburg, Hardyston, Andover, Byram, Stanhope, Lafayette, Wantage, Sussex and Montague. Nearby, see our pages for Passaic County, Wayne, Pike County, PA and Warwick and western Orange County, NY. For the whole state, see New Jersey.
Frequently asked questions
Is GB Claims licensed in New Jersey?
Yes. GB Claims LLC is licensed as a public adjuster in New Jersey, License #3004401530. New Jersey requires public adjusters to be licensed by the Department of Banking and Insurance.
Do you come out to Sussex County?
Yes. We inspect the property in person, measure and photograph the damage, and meet the insurance company’s adjuster on site. Vernon and Sparta are about 45 minutes from our Suffern office.
Does homeowners insurance in New Jersey cover a burst pipe?
Usually it covers sudden water damage from a burst pipe inside the home. Long-term leaks, wear and tear and outside flooding are usually excluded. Your policy wording controls.
Is lake or flood water covered by my homeowners policy?
Usually not. Rising water from a lake, stream or heavy rain normally needs a separate flood policy. Water from inside the house, like a burst pipe or failed water heater, falls under the homeowners policy.
Can a public adjuster help if my insurer already paid?
Often yes. If damage was missed or underpaid, the claim can usually be supplemented within the policy’s time limits. Cashing the check usually does not close the claim unless you signed a release.
Talk to a licensed public adjuster
Fire, water or storm damage in Sussex County? Call or text 845-456-6699. Tell us what happened and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.
GB Claims LLC – Licensed Public Adjuster. NY License PA-1988333 · NJ License #3004401530 · PA License #1336704 · CT License #3004375850. We work only for the policyholder, never for the insurance company.