The last thing anyone needs during a time of crisis or loss is added stress. Unfortunately, depending on the quality of your insurance policy or company, this can be the case when having to file a claim. Whether it be from storm damage, hail, or some other type of occurence – understanding that you will be well taken care of can be especially reassuring. This is specifically the case when dealing with ones own home.
While no one relishes the opportunity to file a claim, for vehicles the causes, dealings, and process can be far less daunting than that involving real estate. There may even be cases where the question of when to file a car insurance claim arises but this is often not the situation when a home has been damaged. Typically, someone can find another means of transportation and if there is temporarily unavailable and often automobiles are far less expensive than a personal residence. Not only does this have an impact on yourself, but finding a place to live is much more difficult, in addition to the factors involving an entire family, as opposed to just the owner of said vehicle.
For this reason, any damage associated with your home should be met and dealt with accordingly. Consult the steps below whenever a claim is needed
Call Your Agent
One of the first steps to take when wanting to activate a claim on your insurance is to notify your agent of the issue. Once they are aware of a potential situation then they can begin taking the appropriate steps to best serve you based on the claim.
A quick phone call detailing the event serves to begin the appropriate process for getting the situation handled in a timely manner. Obviously, especially when dealing with a home or real estate, time is of the essence for a property owner. Once the situation is safe to assess and relay to the agent, making this phone call is your very first move.
Document Damage and/or Loss
Damage and proof of loss documentation is critically important when attempting to file an insurance claim. By actively completing even generic forms or taking immediate photos with a cell phone, individuals can accurately document any damages or potential loss in almost a real-time setting. These measures can aid in actively reporting what happened based on the situation at hand.
In addition to any structural damage which may have occurred, don’t forget loss associated with personal items which could have been damaged as well.
Protect Property
Once it is safe, take measures to ensure the damage doesn’t spread or cause more issues. For example, if your roof has suffered damage due to a hail storm and is leaking then tarp the area and try your best to protect what remains. The insurance claim process can take time and you don’t want to have other issues arise while trying to deal with the current situation.
Likewise, if you have an area of your roof that has been breached, taking the steps to ensure all belongings housed immediately underneath are moved can save further potential damage. Never act while putting yourself in jeopardy but once safe, take measures to protect what is yours.
On-Site Adjustor
Once the claim has been reported, typically the insurance agency will have an adjuster come out to asses the situation and generate a full report. These individuals determine the extent of damage and what can be repaired or replaced under your policy.
Depending on the nature of the damage, having a contractor there to also aid in this process can be beneficial for the homeowner and adjustor. Most adjusters are extremely knowledgeable about their business but differences in experience and the potential for damage to be underneath what can be immediately observed could be better suited by an expert in the particular field. This helps to avoid any further issues regarding damage once the repair process begins.
Settle the Claim
Once the full report is received by the insurance company the settlement will be generated. For most, depending on the specifics of your insurance policy, this includes payment to cover the cost of any repairs, full roof replacement, and/or damage caused to other items associated with the initial cause.
However, in some cases the insurance company may dispute certain issues regarding the case. In particular, if further damage was caused by not taking appropriate steps to protect your belongings or home once it was safe to do so. If you leave a hole in your roof unattended for some time and then attempt to file a claim at a later date, this may not be covered.
Make Repairs
Depending on your particular insurance policy and company, a repair service may be hired or you may be responsible for getting your own work completed. In either case, make certain whoever is conducting the repair is certified and trained in their area. Many companies will attempt to make a run on an affected area, work for a few months making repairs and then disappear to the next site of a natural disaster.
Ensure you are getting reputable work from a certified individual or company before moving forward with the repair process. This not only protects your own investment but guarantees that any future concerns can and will be addressed.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, quality service has been our priority in Denver and the surrounding area for years as we handle any and all roofing, gutter, or siding needs. If your home has suffered damage and you’re either currently in the claim process or looking for guidance and assistance, we can help. Arvada Roofing and Construction has been completing roof installations, evaluations, and multiple other exterior household projects or associated services for nearly two decades. Their highly trained experts can provide an estimate on any repair, remodel, or now construction project, if needed, as well as any inspection you wish to have completed. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are concerned about the effectiveness of your roof or already have an issue, we are here to help. Our certified and extremely knowledgeable staff is available to handle any construction or roofing job and provide a variety of other services such as seamless guttering systems, or any potential damage analysis thought to be caused by severe weather for the purposes of insurance reporting. Contact us today online or call 303-432-2753 for your free estimate on any of the above mentioned projects!