When you hear the words “insurance claims process,” it likely doesn’t conjure up good emotions. Most people think of the claims process as long, stressful and tedious, and for good reason. When a home or other property is damaged, the first thing that a policy holder will do is contact their insurance company to report their losses. The representative they speak with may or may not be a licensed insurance adjuster. They are obligated to then explain to you the different coverage options.
This is where the easy part of the process ends. The insurance company wants to part with as little of their money as possible; but in reality, this is your money that you earned by paying your insurance premiums. Your representative will then give you an estimate of the damages and cost of repair, and then try to get you to use their contractor. The problem with this part of the process is that every option the insurance company is giving you is tainted with a bias of profit.
While insurance adjustors are obligated to provide you with the compensation that is rightfully due to you according to your policy, they are also trying to make a profit. If your property was damaged, you have already gone through enough loss. Adding insult to injury, insurance companies typically set up roadblocks and other problems to bar you from getting what you actually deserve. Did you know that this entire process could be avoided? With the help of an expert, you will be well on your way to circumventing this process altogether.
IMPORTANT TIPS TO KEEP IN MINDAs an investor in homeowners insurance, you expect to be treated with the care, attention and support you deserve in the aftermath of a disaster, accident or unplanned event that caused damage to your home. Unfortunately, this is not always the response you will get. Therefore, there are important tips that should be kept in mind as you consider beginning the process of filling an official claim.
It may come as no surprise to learn that the claim filing process can be confusing, even complex. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that you act with care as you weigh the options available to you and ultimately decide upon the best course of action for your situation. Specifically, you should keep the following tips at the forefront of every action taken from here on out:
Notify your insurance company / agent as soon as a loss has occurred. Even if you ultimately decide to forgo making a claim, you will be best served by keeping your insurance company informed of your intentions and considerations.
Consider any repairs that may need to be made and make note of these. As early as possible, take a thorough inventory of the damage that was done to your home, taking care to list out any damage that appeared after the destructive incident. You can also list missing items and destroyed belongings. Later, when you file a claim, you can use this information to document your losses as they were experienced directly after the destruction occurred.