In this series regarding the catastrophic disaster claims that occurred during 2017, below are some tips on what you can do after an incident has occurred to reduce the time of claim processing, frustration, and additional property damage.
Policy Holder Responsibility
Many policyholders don’t read their homeowner’ insurance policy word for word, so they don’t know what is covered. There are pain points in the filing of insurance claims if you have not prepared yourself for this event. These are some things you need to do as the policyholder.
Property Damage: Theft or Vandalism Claims
If you have had damage to your property due to theft or vandalism you should immediately file a police report. Having pictures of items that you own that are valuable is a great way to stay ahead of the insurance claim process. The police report is required documentation that must accompany the claim. Turn your claim in in a timely manner. Get the ball rolling and get reimbursed. If you have valuable collections such as art, jewelry, even instruments, make sure your insurance company is aware of these items. They should be listed in your policy for coverage, so you can be reimbursed.
Property Damage: Wind, Hail or Storm Damage
If your home has been damaged due to wind, hail or storm, you want to be sure to take action to prevent further damage to the property. For example, if your roof shingles have been ripped off by wind, cover the damaged part of the roof with a tarp securely in place. Normally with wind comes rain, so you want to be sure you can lessen any additional damage since you don’t really know when the rain will stop but you need to keep it out of your home. Prevent additional water damage that will create mold. Most insurance policies do not cover mold and have a common exclusion written into the policy. You want to lower the risk of mold growth due to this exclusion
Fire Damage
In the event of a fire, be sure the area is safe to enter and remove any valuables if they were not initially damaged. This is not always possible based on your particular situation but if you can do this, it is highly suggested.
Keep Your Receipts
Keep any receipts for supplies or anything you have purchased for protecting your property. Take or provide pictures (if you have them for your records) that you can provide for the claim. Once the adjustor is assigned and contacts you, you can discuss what you have done to protect your home from further damage and may be reimbursed.
When you have incurred a loss that you will be filing an insurance claim on, an adjustor is typically assigned very quickly. If you call your insurance company and ask if your damage is covered, they will not be able to tell you this until the adjustor goes out and make the report and provides to the insurance company. Use these tips to stay on top of the unknown. You never know when you will be subject to any type of catastrophe that you will need to file a claim for.
For more information on insurance coverage and making a property damage claim on your home, visit https://www.apiaprotects.com/
