The 4 Steps You Should Follow to File a Successful Property Insurance Claim
Owning a home means that you can expect to deal with the unexpected – a crazy hail and wind storm that cause damage to your roof, siding, and windows, water damage, or even fire and lightning damage. Some events are out of our control and we cannot prevent them from happening, which is why having comprehensive home owner’s insurance and knowing what to do when filing a claim is essential. Below we will discuss the 5 steps you should follow in the event that you find yourself filing a residential insurance claim. By following these steps, it will help ensure that you receive the necessary compensation for the damages and get your home repaired in no time!
1. Document and Report Damage
The first thing that you should do after making sure that you and everyone around is safe after an unexpected event is to document the damage that took place. Taking photographs or video of all the damage will aid you when filing your claim because you will have visual evidence. However, if the damage to your home is bigger, such as your roof or siding, it is recommended to hire a public adjuster or contractor so that they can help you properly document the damage in its entirety. You should also document every call and conversation you have with your insurance agency as you go through the process so that you have that on record for yourself as well.
2. Contacting the Insurance Company
After you have documented the damage, you should call your insurance company and let them know you have started the claim process either online or through a mobile app and ask them what your next steps should be. While every insurance company has their own process, the general idea is the same. This is also a great time to let them know what occurred, ask them if the event is covered in your policy, how long you actually have in order to file the claim, and ask them for a ballpark on how long the process will actually take.
3. Make Urgent Repairs and Save Your Receipts
If you had to make any necessary temporary repairs in order to be able to live in your home while the claim process is taking place or if you had to have temporary housing arrangements, it is important to save all of your receipts. Depending on your policy, you might be eligible for reimbursement and if so, you might be asked to provide receipts as proof of spending. You shouldn’t wait for your adjuster to make urgent repairs, as this might cause even more damage to your property. For example, you could cover a damaged roof with a tarp to keep water from entering the home as much as possible. Most insurance policies require you to make necessary repairs to prevent further damage, so make sure you are aware of that as well.
4. Find A General Contractor
After going through such a long process to file your claim, the most important step is to find a general contractor that will be able to complete the necessary repairs to your home. When looking for the best residential contractors, there are a couple of things that you should keep in mind. You want to make sure that they have years of experience and expertise as well as all the necessary permits and licenses needed to complete the project. It is also very important to check and see if the general contractor you are thinking of hiring works with a public adjuster. Public adjusters have extensive knowledge on insurance company practices, laws and regulations, as well as what are the necessary documents you must have in order to get the compensation you deserve. They could also help you fill out your forms before submitting them to your insurance company so that you can be sure you are doing it properly.
Naperville Roofing and Construction is a general contractor that serves the Naperville and surrounding areas. We have over 20 years of experience in the field as well as a great reputation from hundreds of happy customers! We also have a remarkable public adjuster that works with us to help all of our clients' get the compensation they deserve from their insurance claim. Contact us today and get a FREE quote so that we can help restore your home in no time!