How to Settle an Insurance Claim after Disaster Hits
01/21/2011
When disaster strikes, it's important to get back to your normal life as soon as possible. Knowing how to handle your insurance claim is one way to get life back on track.
Here are a few important steps to take after a natural disaster hits from the Insurance Information Institute:
1. Find out:
- Whether the damage is covered under your policy
- The deadline for filing a claim
- How long it will take to process your claim
- If you need an estimate for repairs
2. It's OK to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your property while you're waiting for permanent repairs to be done. Keep all receipts for temporary repairs, but remember payments for these repairs will be part of the total settlement. Paying too much for temporary work may leave you without enough money for permanent repairs.
3. Most home owners insurance policies cover the cost of accommodations if you need to temporarily relocate during repairs, so keep all receipts.
4. Provide the adjuster with as much information about the property damage as possible, whether during a visit or on a proof of loss form. The description of the item, approximate date of purchase and cost of replacing or repairing the item can go along way to get your claim settled faster.
Comments