Property damage of any kind is no fun to deal with, but taking just a few precautions can help to alleviate the burden on your budget. When you purchase the right homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, it can really ease the financial strain you may experience from damage to your property. Your insurance company will then cover the costs of repairing your home so you can get back to normal as soon as possible. You may not be quite sure how to go about filing an insurance claim after property damage, however, so today we’re going to go over that with you to make sure you know what to do.
Inform Your Insurance Company
- If you sustain damage to your property, let your insurance company know right away.
Prevent Additional Damage
- Take steps to make sure you don’t experience further damage. If you have a burst pipe, for example, turn off all sources of water so that the damage doesn’t continue to get worse. Secure all your valuables at this time, as well.
Document The Damage
- You will want to take pictures and videos of your damaged property. Make sure to hold onto any broken parts that might have played a part in the damage so that you have evidence for your insurance claims. As an example here, if a large branch has landed on your roof and made a hole, don’t remove it until an adjuster has been to inspect the situation. The scene should not be altered until then.
Review Your Policy
- You need to review your policy to be sure you know exactly what is covered. Insurance policies are very specific, and you might be surprised at what you can claim and what you cannot.
Damaged Items
- If you have personal property that was damaged or ruined, you will need a detailed inventory list stating the make and model of every item, its age, and its current condition, as well as replacement costs and actual cash value of each. This can be difficult and time-consuming but it’s also critical if you want to be reimbursed for your lost property.
Don’t Throw Anything Away
- You will need evidence for your claims, so don’t get rid of anything until your insurance company approves it. You may be denied coverage if you dispose of evidence too early. Keep all your receipts and credit card statements concerning your property so that you can support your claim and prove the values of damaged items.
Don’t Make Permanent Repairs
- Your insurance company will need to inspect your property so that they can determine what repairs are necessary and how much they will cost.
If you are finding the process of filing an insurance claim after property damage overwhelming, or if you have received your approval to begin the repairs, you can rely on Ascension General Contractors to get the job done in a timely and professional manner. We are full-service repair specialists with years of expertise in handling insurance loss.
