If you're home has been damaged by a covered homeowners insurance peril, you will need to file a claim with your homeowners insurance company. In a perfect world, you'd call an 800 number and a friendly insurance CSR would send out a knowledgeable insurance adjuster to your home. Once the insurance adjuster arrives, he'd cut you a check and you'd hire a contractor to perform the repairs. Soon, your home has been restored!
But this isn't a perfect world. Yes, you will call an 800 number and reach a friendly CSR. Yes, a knowledgeable insurance adjuster will come to your home and write you a check. Yes, you'll hire a contractor to perform the repairs. But, will the check be big enough?
Insurance adjusters are certainly knowledgeable but they don't always have your best interests in mind. In addition, the insurance industry requires tons of paperwork and documentation. The burden of proof is on you, the homeowner. You must prove your losses and fight for every penny.
Because you must prove your losses, you absolutely must document everything. If the damage has already been done, start by taking hundreds of photos as you may need them later. Photograph everything because details matter and the debris may need to be hauled away sooner rather than later.
Take extensive notes. In fact, keep a notebook by your side at all times and jot down your ideas as they come to you so you don't forget. For example, if your home burned to the ground and you don't have an existing inventory of your home's contents, you will need to rely on your memory. In the middle of the night, you might remember that you had a set of Waterford Crystal wine glasses. Write it down as you remember. You may even have taken photos of a melted glob of glass in the debris which can be used to back up your claim.
Learn your rights. Your insurance policy may cover living expenses for an extended period or might reimburse you for emergency repairs but they may not volunteer that information.
Enlist the help of a third party. A third party such as a contractor or a public insurance adjuster can help you document the damage and maximize your insurance claim. For example, if your home has water damage, a qualified water damage restoration professional knows what to look for such as damaged baseboards, carpet that must be replaced, drywall and insulation that should be replaced, electrical damage, and so forth, whereas an insurance adjuster may only authorize a carpet cleaning.
Depending on the nature and scale of the damage, you may need outside help. Either way, you will benefit by learning about what's involved and sticking up for your rights. If your home hasn't been damaged, take the time now to perform a thorough home inventory and store your photos, videos, and other documentation in a safe location such as a safe deposit box.
Mark Decherd |
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