Storm damage is among the most common hazards faced by homeowners on a daily basis. Natural disasters, of course, can strike at any time, and once they do, you must be prepared to follow the right course of action. One must know the basics to mitigate damage and the process behind successfully filing a claim.
There are six mistakes repeatedly made by homeowners when filing for storm damage, and here’s how to steer clear of being denied, underpaid, or delayed claims.
1. Waiting to file a claim
Not filing your claim on time or in a timely manner is not only among the most frequent mistakes, but among the most costly as well.
Failing to file your claim quickly can not only cause damage to get worse, but it gives your insurance provider more reasons to delay or even deny your claim.
The sooner you act, the better!
2. Failure to document evidence
Play smart! Always document.
In many cases, homeowners simply forget to take pictures of damage, ignoring the plain fact that evidence makes their case stronger.
Not only should you document the scene (both possessions and property after damage), but it is clever to have evidence of how things were before anything ocurred.
Take an inventory fo valuable items under your roof; take pictures and videos for further proof.
3. Negligence
Avoid negligence at all costs. Failure to maintain your property in good condition will certainly cost you your claim.
Insurance companies are quite adept. They know when damage was caused unexpectedly versus when it could have been prevented. They will deny any claims that come from negligence.
If you have a damaged roof and fail to repair it before the storm hits, it is most likely your insurance provider will deny your claim.
4. Falling to mitigate damage
After a big storm hits, it is very likely you are not the only homeowner trying to file a claim. All the paperwork and processing can take time. Many policies state that the policyholder must mitigate damage at all costs.
If you have a broken window after a big storm and do nothing about it, debris and water will still enter the property. Therefore, insurance companies will not cover this damage. It is in your best interest to mitigate further damage.
It is highly recommended to document everything! By cleaning up too fast, you may forget to annotate or document certain things that could be covered by your insurance company. Keep receipts of repairs, quotes, etc. Until your claim is settled.
5. Accepting the First Offer
Negotiation Tip: “The First Offer Dilemma”.
Never accept the first offer. Although it may seem like a fair deal and you really need the money to pay for repairs, it is not your wisest choice!
Even if you feel drained from the negotiation and all the paperwork, this can be a big mistake. Remember, although it can look reasonable at first, you must always know that it can be significantly less than what the actual damage is worth.
This is a turning point for any homeowner. What to do next? Let your public adjuster negotiate the bigger sum.
6. Not Hiring a Public Adjuster
Yeap! If you are new to this. hiring a public adjuster will top your settlement 3.5 times more than without one. Let the professionals do their job!
At Claim Partner, we will help you get the settlement you deserve. We’ll do the negotiation, make the deal and do all the paperwork. Plus, we’ll surely give you that peace of mind.
GET HELP FROM CLAIM PARTNER: Professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
