Seven Tips on Making a Property Insurance Claim

When you make a property insurance claim , there are a number of issues that you need to consider.  In this article, we are going to discuss seven tips to help in that process.

This does not mean call the insurance agent who sold you the homeowner’s policy you are now filing a claim for. The agent you bought your policy through is more likely to be versed in sales than the intricacies of filing and managing a claim for damages. Keep a copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy handy and call the contact number in the policy.

Some insurance companies require that you contact them within a certain timeframe after the damage to your property occurs. Do not delay. In addition to increasing the time you spend with damage to your home, your claim might be denied because you didn’t follow your policy’s guidance.

The sooner you get your claim started, the sooner you can get back to normal.

This means you should take pictures of everything in the state it was after the loss. It is imperative that you record all the damage because it could take a few days for your insurance adjuster to come and inspect your property, particularly if your home was damaged in a weather event that affected many other people too.

This is especially important if your policy requires that you take action to mitigate further damage. If you need to put a tarp over the hole in your roof, but you need to clear debris away to do so, you need to have evidence of where the debris was before you moved it to secure your property against further damage. If your pipes burst and you need to shut off the water main to keep further water damage from occurring, you need evidence of how much water initially leaked from the damaged piping.

If you don’t take the pictures beforehand, your insurance company has no way of knowing what the state of your home was before you started mitigating ongoing damage, and they might deny parts of your claim because of it.

Your insurer has to approve repairs before you start them in order to make sure you get reimbursed for what you spend. Insurance claim adjusters in Florida are particularly familiar with the difference between water damage and flood damage. One is covered by your standard policy and the other is not. If you enlist a contractor to start repairs on flood damage, you will be paying out of pocket for that.

Furthermore, you need to understand the cost of your damages before you can hire contractors to do any work. Your insurance company will have a cap that they pay for different kinds of damage, and you will have to pay a deductible before they reimburse you.

Work with your insurer to know what kind of damage there is to your property and what it will take to repair it. Insurance claim adjusters in Florida deal with storm damage on a regular basis due to hurricanes, and they can help you understand what kind of claim you will be filing, including water, wind, structural and more.

Make sure you are there when the insurance adjuster is making their assessment, or you hire a public adjuster to be present when they arrive and make sure they see the full extent of the damage to your home, including water damage to the interior drywall. Make note of any disagreement you have with the insurance adjuster, and notify your insurance company immediately if you do not feel the adjuster they sent is knowledgeable, competent, or otherwise qualified to make a report, but do so immediately.

Don’t sign any contract for repairs if it is the first one you see. Make sure to get second opinions, especially if your insurance company is the one sending the contractor. Sometimes there is a benefit to using a contractor that is sent by your insurer: usually they have vetted them to make sure they do good work, however, there is a limitation on what they can make if they are being paid a fixed rate by your insurance company and they may not do their best work. Unless you are required to use a contractor through your insurance company, always shop around for a contractor you are comfortable with in a price range that is in your budget.

Ask your insurance company to give you the money upfront for anything that is not under dispute, particularly if your home is unlivable and you will need additional living expenses while the claims and repair process is going on. Insurance claim adjusters in Florida are used to these requests from people who cannot occupy a home that was mostly destroyed by wind damage from a hurricane.

Unlock the Benefits of Continental Public Adjusters

At Continental Public Adjusters, we take immense pride in serving the entire state of Florida when it comes to managing property claims. Our wealth of experience is available to ensure you get the most out of your insurance policy.

Whether you're grappling with a recent property claim or facing the distressing scenarios of denied, delayed, or underpaid claims, an experienced public adjuster is your indispensable ally.

Here's how Continental Public Adjusters can be your champion in five crucial ways:

• Your Advocate: Our singular focus is to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation for your loss.

• Comprehensive Analysis: We leave no stone unturned in our investigation to understand the specifics of your loss. Our team of experts and consultants diligently assess the true value of your property loss.

• Precise Estimation: Leveraging state-of-the-art cost estimating software, we meticulously prepare supporting documentation, which we promptly provide to your insurance carrier.

• Expert Negotiation: We deftly handle your claim and engage in negotiations with your insurance company's adjuster, all aimed at securing a settlement that aligns with your best interests and earns your approval.

• Maximizing Benefits: With the wisdom gained from settling thousands of claims, we have the foresight to anticipate potential issues and obstacles in the claims process. Our relentless dedication is geared towards ensuring you reap the maximum benefits you rightfully deserve.

Embark on your journey with us through a complimentary consultation with one of our skilled team members. Boasting 38 years of invaluable experience in successfully resolving countless claims related to personal and commercial properties in Florida, Continental Public Adjusters, Inc. is your trusted ally.

Connect with us today at (800) 989-4769 or send us an email at info@contpa.com to initiate your FREE claim review. Your satisfaction and peace of mind remain our top priorities.