If you’ve just experienced an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, or another natural disaster, you may be wondering how to handle your homeowners insurance claim advocate. If this is your first time filing a claim, it can be confusing and intimidating to know what’s going on and how to get everything done that needs to be done in order to get the most out of your insurance claim advocate. However, as long as you stay organized and persistent in your efforts, you’ll be able to work with your insurance company representative to ensure you get the best results possible.
Things you should do before a disaster strikes
Don’t wait until something bad happens to think about what to do before a disaster strikes. You should research and explore all available types of coverage for your home or other property, such as liability, car insurance, life insurance, renters insurance, and business insurance. If you need any help with this process, contact a homeowners insurance claim advocate. They can help you compare and find the best type of policy for your individual needs. They are also knowledgeable in many areas that affect your homeowners insurance rates, such as age, occupation, credit score and how close you live to an earthquake fault line. A homeowners insurance claim advocate is someone who advocates on behalf of their clients during the claims process when they make a homeowners insurance claim.
What to do when there is damage from storm damage or vandalism
- In a storm or water event, be sure that you call your homeowners insurance company immediately. If you are covered for flooding, make sure you’ve secured any valuables before leaving your home.
- When evaluating the damage, it is important to talk with a professional who can provide you an unbiased opinion about how much should be repaired or replaced. You may also find this helpful when settling on a claim settlement.
- If something needs repair, talk with your agent about how you would like to be reimbursed; they will have experience in what is typical and necessary in each case. This conversation should take place before any repairs have been made so that all parties involved understand what is expected moving forward. If there has been vandalism, it’s especially important to report the incident as soon as possible. We recommend filing a police report as well. It’s easier for both parties if you can provide evidence that the property was damaged by someone else rather than by wear and tear.
What type of documentation is needed in order to get reimbursed for damaged goods?
The following items are commonly required for reimbursement for damaged goods under homeowners insurance policies:
-Proof of purchase and/or replacement cost.
-Original purchase receipt from retailer or receipt from insurance company in case replacement is necessary.
-Damage verification form completed by a qualified professional (contractor, plumber, electrician, etc.). -Clear photos of damage.
-Repair estimate if not already provided.
-Copy of estimate if repair work is completed.
What will I have to pay out-of-pocket if my home does suffer storm damage?
What is storm damage? A natural disaster or other event that causes destruction, such as a hurricane, snowstorm, earthquake, flood, tornado or wildfire. Each homeowner’s policy is different and depends on how much coverage you want. But don’t worry! Storm damage insurance is mandatory for most homes in North America – and usually already included in your monthly payments.
Most homeowners policies include some sort of personal property coverage that will help pay for repairs up to a set amount (typically 50 percent). This means if you want your entire house replaced if it’s destroyed by an earthquake but there was only 10% damage from a fire, then you might want to talk with your insurance company about how much total personal property coverage would be best for you. Every state has its own definition of what constitutes an act of God under the law, so check with your agent to see what exactly is covered. Generally speaking, though, many states will provide relief when damages are caused by forces of nature that can’t be prevented and aren’t due to any negligence on the part of the insured party.
You may need additional coverage like supplemental windstorm/hurricane protection or flood insurance depending on where you live. For example, residents in coastal areas may need windstorm/hurricane protection while those who live near rivers may need flood insurance.
The importance of selecting high quality replacement goods for your home after a loss
Making an educated decision on your replacement goods is vital in mitigating the chances of a second loss. If you are looking for an experienced home insurance claim advocate, speak with a rebuilding expert. As someone who has handled thousands of claims, they will have valuable insight into what is best for your situation. By selecting high quality replacement goods, you are ensuring that if there is another catastrophe, you will be prepared. High quality products such as windows and doors can withstand another natural disaster and provide peace of mind knowing that not all hope is lost. In addition, these higher-quality materials also come with better warranties so you know that if anything does happen to go wrong, it will be fixed. For example, most window manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on new installations. Another important factor to consider when making decisions about what type of material to buy is ease of installation. Some homeowners make the mistake of rushing through a decision because they do not want to take time off work or wait any longer than necessary; however, rushing through this process could lead to shoddy workmanship and more repairs later down the line. It is important to think about how easy it will be for contractors to install these items after your next loss before making a purchase so you do not end up facing more problems in the future.
