What to do when you need to file a property damage insurance claim

When facing a loss, the claims process can be overwhelming. Before calling your insurance company, take these immediate steps after a property damage loss.

Initial steps

• Secure your home or business from additional damage caused by water, vandals, or mold by hiring a professional board-up company. Need help finding one? We can make recommendations.
• Once your dwelling is declared safe by fire or police authorities, retrieve valuables, cash, or family heirlooms. Take care not to alter or disturb the area where the loss originated.
• Review your insurance documents and determine the limitations on what kinds of damage or property are covered by your current policy, as well as caps on coverage; consult a lawyer if the language is unclear.
• Research zoning, building code or HOA covenant changes that could impact your rebuild, such as green energy rules, specifications on building materials, or requirements for historical appropriateness, and clarify whether your insurance policy provides coverage for these items.
• Contact your insurance company and report your loss. Depending on the extent of damage, you may want to hire a restoration firm to do emergency remediation.  Keep in mind, this may have an adverse impact on your eventual settlement, as it can destroy or remove evidence to support your claim.

Next steps

• Document the damage to your property with both video and photographs, preferably using 3D technology. Hire experienced contractors to look for damage that may not be immediately visible.
• Review the references and qualifications for any service provider you plan to hire. Remember to research your insurance company’s adjuster as well.
• Assess market conditions for your neighborhood, including home value, building supplies, and labor costs, to document the true cost of repairing or rebuilding your home. Get rebuild quotes from licensed contractors.
• Review building materials and furnishings in each room, then document replacement costs for anything that is not standard building grade, such as crown moldings, unique lighting fixtures, and custom-built or historic features.
• Take a detailed inventory of all items to be replaced: every fork, toothbrush, cereal box, and DVD adds up to thousands of dollars of loss that you will replace or refurbish out of pocket if not accurately documented.
• Identify specialists as needed to verify actual cash value and/or replacement cost for all heirlooms, musical instruments, memorabilia, collectibles, and other unique items.

Don’t forget

• Keep a good trail of paperwork, including receipts. Make detailed notes of the conversation each time you call your insurance agent. Extended negotiations are more common than you think; don’t count on your memory!
• If there is a mortgage on the property, reach out to your mortgage company to discuss their insurance claims payment process.
• Stop or change all services to your property as needed: internet, utility companies, cable TV, cleaners, recycling, trash pickup, mail, newspaper delivery, and landscaping.
• Talk to your employer immediately about how much vacation time you will need to complete these tasks. Remember that your insurance company and contractor often keep regular daytime office hours, so evenings and weekends won’t be an option.

We are happy to help you understand what your policy covers – and to negotiate your claim with your insurance company. As a public adjuster, I represent homeowners, not the insurance companies. It would be my pleasure to have a no-obligation meeting with you to discuss our services.  Please contact us or call 774-239-6822 anytime.