What You Need To Know About Filing A Storm Damage Insurance Claim

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

Damage from a storm may very well mean that you are going to need to file a storm damage insurance claim, and you may be unfamiliar with the process. To help guide you through it we are sharing some tips today to help:

INVESTIGATE THE DAMAGE.

Once it’s safe to do so, take time to look around your property to see what has been damaged. Make detailed notes and take photos and/or videos of what you find for your records; this information can be helpful for your claims adjuster, as well. Take special notice of anything that seems dangerous or unsafe, and be sure to keep people away from those areas. If you feel it is not safe to stay in your home, save documentation for any steps you have to take, such as meals, hotels, rental cars, etc. If it is your business that is affected and you must go elsewhere to complete work, the same provision holds true. Reimbursement is made much easier with proper documentation. 

CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

Insurance company contracts require home and business owners to report the property damage claim to them promptly, so this is an important early step. You will want to check for time limits as to when you need to file your claim since your claim could be denied if you fail to meet this requirement. Additionally, exclusions, limits, and add-on provisions, like additional coverage for personal items, may be included in your policy, so be sure you know what these are. After you contact your insurance company, the claims process will begin. 

DOCUMENTATION.

As we mentioned above, it is essential that you document the aftermath and provide your insurance adjuster with as many details as possible, such as by taking photos and videos of the damage. Be detailed in your description of the incident and list all items that have been affected. If your payout ends up being less than you expect or is fair, such documentation can be used when filing an appeal.

DO IT YOURSELF?

In most cases, you and your insurance company will work together to come to an agreement on all the necessary repairs and the cost of such repairs, and this will need to be in writing before you make any changes to your home. You may find it necessary to take reasonable do-it-yourself repair steps to protect your property from further damage. Avoid throwing out any damaged items until the insurance adjuster has made a visit to your home and be sure to save any receipts for items you purchase; you might be able to submit these to your insurance company for reimbursement.  

SERVPRO of North Nashville is available to help you get back to normal as quickly as possible after any-size disaster. In addition to storm damage and helping you manage the insurance claim process, we handle fire damage, biohazards, chemical cleanup, and mold remediation. We can get your home or business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, too! This franchise is independently owned and operated.