Serious damage to your home, business, or other property can stop life in its tracks. It can uproot your day to day life, leave you with no transportation, or leave you without income for an unforeseen amount of time. During this time, insurance companies are pocketing what they can and looking out for who they consider number one – themselves.
Adjusterman Public Adjusters will always look out for you! In addition to filing a claim with Adjusterman, here are some steps YOU can take to make sure your claim is air-tight.
- Take pictures of all damage, noting the time and date.
Being aware of the total scope of damage will give you a huge leg up when it comes to dealing with your insurance carrier. In terms of providing evidence or disputing damage, having solid proof in the way of photos is the best thing you can have!
It’s highly important to take or locate photos of what your property looked like BEFORE damage was incurred as well as AFTER. Knowing what your property looked like before it was damaged can help insurance carriers to set things to the way they were – and make it as if there was no damage at all.
Although this seems like a simple task, you would be surprised how many property owners forget to take photos showing their belongings prior to them being damaged. If you don’t have these ‘before’ photos, this may put you in a sticky situation.
- Don’t clean up until after your insurance care has had an opportunity to inspect the damage, cleaning can destroy crucial evidence.
Your insurance carrier will want to come out and inspect your property before they begin repairs. This is so they may properly assess and determine a scope of damage.
If you start repairs or remove damaged belongings before this happens, then your insurance may not pay for all or part of the damages, leaving you to cover some of the costs yourself. Please, be aware that these damages should also be photographed before repairs are made, as we mention above.
- Don’t throw anything away, save any damaged building materials to show to your carrier.
For all the good the photographs can provide, you’ll want to keep some additional evidence of damaged materials for your insurance carrier. Carriers will not be able to see EXACTLY how a damaged floorboard might feel from a picture.
Additionally, your policy requires for damaged property to be available for inspection at any time throughout your claim’s investigation. Make sure to keep on top of things and have this evidence for your insurance carrier at any given time.
- Do prevent further damage to the property, but make sure to document and save the evidence of damage.
In addition to taking care to document the damage and not get rid of anything, you CAN take further action in mitigating the damage.
The conditions section of your insurance policy includes a clause that requires you to mitigate or prevent further damage to your property. For example, if your roof was damaged by any unforeseen circumstances or weather, you are allowed to initiate temporary repairs such as putting tarps over your roof or boarding up broken windows. However, you should still take care to document and keep all damaged items. Although you are preventing further damage, you will not want to remove damaged items until your insurance carrier has seen evidence of such items.
- Avoid talking to insurance carrier representatives without having representation of your own, or consult with a licensed adjuster who can represent your best interest. It’s best to call a public adjuster first, before contacting your insurance carrier.
In all cases, it’s best to seek the assistance of a public adjuster in handling all aspects of your claim, including helping keep track of inventory and, if necessary, finding temporary housing or office space.
Having a public adjuster on your side will guarantee you have someone who is working to maximize the amount of money you receive for your claim. Like in most endeavors, it’s best to not go about this route alone.
- Get a range of estimates from licensed service providers. Don’t use a quote from your buddy or cousin, you’ll want retail-cost estimates from vetted contractors for your repairs. Who you chose to do the work in the end is up to you.
On average, people who use public adjusters like Adjusterman receive much higher payments. Receiving a quote from a licensed professional who knows the ins and outs of the insurance business will make for a much better return on your investment.
Once again, who you chose to work with is up to you, although we hope you’ll choose Adjusterman.
- Don’t allow a general contractor or service provider to file your claim for you, this is not only illegal but also not in your best interest. Only a licensed public adjuster has a fiduciary responsibility to represent your best interest.
In cases where there is serious damage and major loss (monetary or otherwise), insurance companies WILL seek to assist you while keeping themselves in the forefront of their minds.
Adjusterman knows who our number one priority is – you! Hiring a public adjuster is the first step in getting the most out of your insurance claim.
If you are having issues with property damage or need to file a claim, do not hesitate to call Adjusterman Public Adjusters. We will make sure you get a full and fair settlement from your insurance carrier!. Contact Adjusterman Public Adjusters to help with your claim at (954) 588-2160.
