Property damage insurance claims can be tricky for homeowners to navigate when they aren’t adequately prepared or informed on the process. One question homeowners may ask is how they can pay for a contractor via a property damage insurance claim rather than handling the payment themself.
Today at Ascension General Contractors, we have gathered some essential details you should know when it comes to paying for a contractor after property damage to help you make the best decisions moving forward.
Can you pay for a contractor through your insurance company? The answer is, it depends. In some cases, insurance companies might want to pay the contractor directly rather than pay you as the homeowner. If that is the situation, a contractor will need to provide you with a “direction to pay” form. Here are a few things you should keep in mind when signing a direction to pay form:
- Since this form is a legal document, be sure to read it carefully to ensure you aren’t signing over your entire claim.
- Call your insurance professional before you sign if you have any concerns.
- Perform an inspection to make sure you are happy with the repairs before allowing your insurance company to make the final payment to the contractor.
What Should I Know About Filing a Property Damage Insurance Claim?
When your property has been damaged, you’ll need to file a claim as soon as possible so you can speed up the process of settling your claim. It’s important to remember when working through the claims process that insurance coverage plans vary, and each situation is unique. Your settlement may be affected by all of these factors.
Keep in mind that you should:
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the damage.
Your insurance policy contract may require you to report damage within a certain amount of time. Failing to do so could cause your claim to be denied.
- Provide documentation of all damage.
Take pictures and videos of the damage, and remember not to make any permanent repairs until your insurance company has approved them.
- Gather estimates from contractors for the repairs.
Reach out to contractors in your area to provide you with estimates on the cost of the repairs and hire a professional and reputable one, so you can move forward with the necessary repairs as soon as your claim is settled.
At Ascension General Contractors, we are dedicated to helping you make repairs to your home following a disaster. We are full-service repair specialists and proud to serve the Nashville community as general contractors. Contact us today to talk about your next project?