For many homeowners, the preparation of property claims without the assistance of an insurance loss adjuster voicing their position is unfamiliar and often an intimidating concept. The documents following a disaster are filled with complicated terminology and numbers that only a property claims adjuster will thoroughly understand. In the stressful time subsequent to a disaster, the list seems endless. But it´s your responsibility to document and prove your claim to the insurance company. This job is made much simpler and less stressful with the support and guidance of a public adjuster.
Many policyholders just like you have asked the same questions:
How do I estimate my loss? Will I recover enough to rebuild? Can I do this myself, without a public insurance adjuster? Here’s how to get started and insight to help you make the right choice.
Property Claims Process:
- Verify that your claim is covered under policy by placing a call to your insurance company. In this call you should also learn of submission cut-off dates, and the expected time frame to process the claim.
- Create a complete detailed inventory of everything that was damaged or destroyed. This includes personal items, and furniture within and outside the house, as well as structural damage. Have the list available for the insurance adjusters at the time of your property assessment.
- The period after property damage claims have been filed can often be a long and frustrating time. If you were a victim of a large natural disaster, you may be just one claim of many that is causing the insurance company to be backed up with property damage claims. Be sure to contact your insurance company from time to time to check on the claims’ status.
- If you feel that your insurance company is ignoring your claim, you may want to enlist the help of a public adjuster to advocate to the insurance company on your behalf.
Have the following ready for your property claims adjuster at the time of your meeting:
- Insurance company name, policy number, and policy type.
- Your name, address, and other contact information.
- The established claim number if available.
- Date of Loss – the date the damage occurred or when you first noticed it.
- The cause of the damage – fire, hurricane, mold, wind, floods.
- Areas of damage – exterior, interior, personal property, etc.
- Digital photographs showing the property damage.
- Digital photographs showing surrounding area.
- Digital photographs showing property before damage if available.
