Unexpected property damage can be overwhelming. Your homeowners or businessowners insurance policy can help to pay for the repairs, but there are steps you need to take to help you get back to business as usual. As you prepare to file a property damage claim, take these steps to ensure you get the settlement you deserve.
1. Make Temporary Repairs
If there is extensive or catastrophic damage to your home, it may be dangerous for your family to remain there. If it is safe to do so, secure your home and contents in order to prevent further damage. If you are unable to secure your home yourself, contact an emergency services company, contractor or handyman to tarp your roof or begin drying your home. Keep your receipts as most policies cover expenses needed to mitigate damage to your home. As experienced public adjusters, we have valuable contacts in these areas that can expedite the mitigation process.
2. File a Claim with your Insurance Carrier
Review your policy and declarations page for instructions on the claim process including phone numbers or email addresses needed to report your claim. Contact your insurance agent or insurance company right away. Let them know a loss has occurred and you need to open a new claim. They will assign a field adjuster to come to your home to inspect the damage. When you hire Banner Adjusting & Claim Consulting to represent you for your claim, we can report the claim for you and will meet with the field adjuster to go over all of the damages with them.
3. Document Your Loss
Insurance claims can be denied due to a lack of documentation. Back up all of your expenses with receipts or invoices for additional living expenses including hotel and food costs, or less obvious expenses such as extra gas to drive further to work or higher electric bills due to drying equipment. Prepare an inventory of any items that were damaged or destroyed. No item is too small or insignificant.
If you can do it safely, inspect your home and other structures and prepare a list of any damages you find. Take photos and videos to document any damage that could be missed by the insurance company adjuster. This provides additional proof of the damage, which will strengthen your claim. As your public adjuster, we can help you collect, organize and submit the necessary documentation to make sure your claim gets paid correctly.
4. Get Multiple Repair Estimates
It is a good idea to get several bids for necessary repairs to your home or business. This allows you to compare your options and can also help keep costs down.
5. Talk to a Public Adjuster
Hiring a public adjuster to represent your best interest will help ensure you receive the settlement you deserve. Public adjusters work for you, not the insurance company. We will review your policy to verify coverage, document and evaluate the full extent of your damage, prepare an Xactimate estimate, negotiate with your insurance company and handle your claim for you so you can get back to your life and family.
6. Advocate for Yourself
If your insurance company has denied your claim or offered you less than what you are entitled to, you don’t have to take “no” for an answer. We will provide an inspection of your property and free consultation. We are on your side to help get you the settlement you deserve.
We have over 30 years of claims experience to help you through the process; from reporting the claim, meeting with the insurance company adjuster, estimating, negotiating to settling your claim, we’ve got your B.A.C.C.
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