What To Do After A Home Disaster — Tips On How To File A Claim And Follow Up With Your Insurer
by Vilma Maki
Disasters can come in any shape or form, leaving homeowners completely devastated and clueless about what to do next. In such a situation, the first thing you need to do is ensure your safety and that of your loved ones. Once you're out of danger, you can begin the process of assessing the extent of the damage and reaching out to your insurance company to file a claim. Read on to take a detailed look at what you need to do after a home disaster, from filing a claim to dealing with your insurer.
1. Document the Damage
Before you do anything else, document the extent of the damage. Take pictures and videos of everything that has been damaged in your home. Make sure you capture the smallest details, and take more than one picture of everything you are documenting. Also, do not begin cleaning up before you have documented the damage.
2. Reach Out to Your Insurer
Once you're done documenting the damage, reach out to your insurer as soon as possible. You can either call them or visit their website to file a claim. Be sure to provide all the documentation you gathered in the first step, including your insurance policy number.
3. Prepare for the Adjuster's Visit
After you've filed your claim, the insurance company will assign an adjuster to come and assess the damage. To prepare for the visit, make sure you have all the necessary documents, such as your insurance policy and any additional information that might be required. During the visit, make sure you show the adjuster all the damage and answer any questions they might have. Keep in mind that the adjuster is there to verify the claim, so it is crucial to be as honest as possible.
4. Follow Up With Your Insurer
After the adjuster has visited, it's time to follow up with your insurer. Ask them for an estimate of the damage, and don't be afraid to negotiate if you feel you're not getting a fair settlement. If you're not satisfied with the settlement offer, you have the right to appeal to a higher authority.
5. Keep Track of Expenses
As you go about fixing the damage, keep track of all the expenses you incur. This includes receipts for repairs, rental cars, and other expenses related to the disaster. Your insurer will need these records to verify your claims and reimburse you accordingly.
Dealing with a home disaster can be stressful, but knowing what to do can make it smoother. Document the damage, contact your insurer, prepare for the adjuster's visit, follow up, and track expenses. These tips ensure a successful claims process & help you recover.
Contact a home insurance provider near you to learn more.
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About Me
After we purchased our first home, we realized that it might be a good idea to evaluate our insurance coverage. Although we had purchased homeowners insurance before, we had never owned a policy as large as the one we would need for our new place. Also, our new home had a trampoline and a swimming pool, which made us worried about liability. To iron out the details, I decided to meet with our insurance agent. We talked about things like monthly premiums, coverage limits, and deductibles, and it was incredible to learn more about the terminology. This blog is designed to help you with the same types of questions.