Steps In Making An Insurance Claim After A Disaster

​Through your homeowner’s insurance, damages to your property after a disaster can be paid for by the company. However, the payment does not magically appear in front of you. What you have to do is to file an insurance claim to your insurer. If you are unfamiliar with this process, here are the steps that you have to follow.

Contact your insurer immediately
After you feel safe and secure, you should immediately reach out to your agent or to the company itself. They will generally guide you through the process of filing an insurance claim. By talking to your insurer, you should first learn whether your policy covers the situation. You can also ask for details such as the allowable period of time for filing a claim and how long the process is.

Document the damage
Make sure to document the property damage for evidence purposes properly. Your insurance company would have to ask for these pieces of evidence to validate your claim. For the documentation, make sure to take a clear photo of the situation showing the damage to the property.

Prevent further property damage
After the situation has settled, you should look for ways to prevent further damage to your property. If the insurer observed that you did not take steps to prevent further damage, your claim could be denied. That is why you should make temporary repairs and keep receipts of your expenses. Your insurance company could reimburse the temporary repair expenses later. 

Prepare for the claims adjuster’s on-site investigation
Your insurance company will send someone to assess the situation to determine the validity of the insurance claim. To have a smooth operation, prepare proper documentation of the damages to your property. You can make an inventory of the damages and give it to the adjuster before the inspection. 

Moreover, you can also show the adjuster the written bids from contractors regarding your repair. The proposals should contain details such as the materials needed and the respective price. 

Conclusion
A disaster can be truly devastating to one’s finances. However, it can be more damaging if an appropriate insurance policy does not protect you. Ensure financial protection from unexpected disasters by purchasing an applicable insurance policy while being knowledgeable about insurance claims. 

At Desmond Insurance, we do our best in making sure that our clients are well-protected with affordable and comprehensive policies. We make sure to go the extra mile to help you with your needs. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our agency at (859) 491-5100 or Click Here to request a free quote.