7 tips to help you through the process of filing an insurance claim

04 Dec 7 tips to help you through the process of filing an insurance claim

1. First, make sure tocontact your insurance company right away. Insurance companies can often have claims coming in at once and so it can often be hard to get a hold of them. You will definitely want to reach out to them in as many ways as possible. You can send an email to your agent or directly to the insurance company.
2. Once you have contacted them,be patient. It can take a couple weeks or even a month before you hear back from the provider. Once you hear from them, an adjuster will be scheduled to come out and assess your damages. This adjuster will take photos as well as document the details. The adjustor will create a report will be given to your insurance company for further assessment. Insist that you have you contractor of choice present to assist the assessment. Choosing a contractor for your home repairs is also important. It’s often best to have a reliable referral, or if possible, get separate quotes from providers.
3. While waiting for the results of your assessment, it’s important to be patients but it’s possible thatmore follow up is needed. You may be contacted in a few weeks with an approval for specific damages to get repaired or replaced. However, it is also possible that you will receive a denial if and when certain damages are not covered by you insurance policy.
4. Many times, victims of disasters such as a hail storm or tornado, do not have time to wait for insurance companies to approve and replace damages. A leaking roof, shattered windows, and doors require prompt attention. Thus it is in your best interest is tocontact a reliable contractorwho can help you make some temporary repairs. Protecting your home from further damages should always be a priority.
5. What if you receive a denial letter? Don’t give up! According to theNation Storm Damage Center, if an insurance claim gets denied, the insured isentitled to meet with 3 adjusters. They also state that “Even a small amount of damage should result in an approved claim”. Any type of damage can devalue your home and should be fixed immediately before it leads to further damage later down the road.
6. If and when an approval letter for your claim is issued, you will alsoreceive a check for the cost of materials requiredto complete your approved home repairs. This first payment is referred to as the “materials deposit.”
7. Now it istime for your contractor(s) to get to work. It is important to stay on top of your contractor ensuring that they meet deadlines agreed upon during your negotiations. On the flip-side, you should also be patient with your contractor(s) as they are helping to rebuild a distressed situation.