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How to make a claim
Contact your agent or insurance
company and provide them with the following:
- A complete description
of the damage
- A phone number where
you can be reached
Your agent or company representative will report the loss immediately
to your insurance company or to a qualified adjuster who will call you
as soon as possible to inspect the damage.
In the meantime...
- Protect your home from further damage. Make whatever temporary repairs
you can, such as covering broken windows and holes in the roof or in
walls. Keep your receipts because your insurance company will reimburse
you for reasonable expenses you incur by making temporary repairs to
property damaged by covered perils.
- Do what you can to salvage and protect damaged building equipment.
- If you can, secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs from
a reliable contractor and give it to the adjuster. The estimate should
contain detailed specifications of the proposed repairs and detailed
repair costs and replacement prices.
- Prepare a detailed inventory, including photographs, of all damaged
or destroyed personal property. Provide one copy to the adjuster and
keep a copy for your records. Your list should be as complete as you
can make it and should include: number and description of the item,
date of purchase or approximate age, cost at the time of purchase and
estimated replacement cost today. It is very helpful to provide canceled
checks, invoices, receipts, or other papers that will assist the adjuster
in obtaining the value of the destroyed property.
- Don't get permanent repairs done until after the adjuster has approved
the price. If you've received bids, show them to the adjuster. If the
bids are too high, ask the adjuster to negotiate a better price with
the contractor you would like to hire.
- Don't throw out damaged furniture and other expensive items as the
adjuster will want to see them.
- Obtain repair estimates for furniture or other personal property that
can be repaired economically.
If you must leave your home, be sure it is secured and protected from further
damage. Let others know where you can be reached.
In conclusion ...
After your claim has been settled and the repair work is underway, take
some time to evaluate your homeowners insurance coverage. Talk with your
insurance agent or company about possible changes.
If you have questions regarding your coverage, making a claim or settling
a claim, call your insurance agent or your company. To request a
free brochure, Settling Insurance Claims After A Disaster,
order it online through NW Insurance Council's Brochure
Catalog.
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