Claims Filing Advice for Homeowners Affected by Hurricanes, Wildfires and Other Disasters

  

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An ongoing hurricane season, flooding in Texas and wildfires in Colorado are reminders that consumers need to understand the claims process, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

• Be prepared to give your agent or insurance company representative a description of the damage. Your agent will report the loss to your insurance company or to a qualified adjuster who will contact you as soon as possible to arrange to inspect the damage. If you have to evacuate, make sure to give your agent a telephone number where you can be reached.

• Take photos of the damaged areas. These will help you with the claims process and will assist the adjuster in the investigation.

• If you do not already have one, prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. The I.I.I. has free, online software that can help make this process quick and easy—it is available at KnowYourStuff.org. Be sure to make two copies, one for yourself and one for the adjuster. Your list should be as complete as possible, including a description of the items, dates of purchase or approximate age, cost at time of purchase and estimated replacement cost.

• Collect canceled checks, invoices, receipts or other papers that will assist the adjuster in obtaining the value of the damaged or destroyed property.

• Make whatever temporary repairs are needed to protect your home from further damage and from causing injury to you and others. Cover holes in the roof, walls, doors and windows with plastic or boards to prevent further destruction. Be careful not to risk your own safety in making the repairs—hire someone to make them if necessary. Do not make extensive permanent repairs until after the claims adjuster has been to your home and assessed the damage. Save receipts for any supplies and materials you purchase, and make copies of the bills for your records. Your insurance company will reimburse any reasonable expenses incurred in making temporary repairs.

• Secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs to your home from a reliable contractor and give it to the adjuster. The estimate should contain the proposed repairs, repair costs and replacement prices.