Monday February 06, 2012

Home Owners
Disasters can seem to come out of nowhere, turning your world upside down in an instant. Afterwards, there are so many things that need to be done. But where to start?

We've helped thousands of homeowners just like you recover from a wide variety of disasters. We can relieve you of the paperwork burden and help you get a full, fair and expedited settlement, leaving you free to focus on the rebuilding process.

Some risks are less obvious than others. To make sure your home and possessions are adequately protected, you might want to consider the following:
  • As a homeowner, you have the responsibility of detailing and proving any loss to your insurance company. Are you confident that you can provide a comprehensive and detailed claim?
  • What are my rights and obligations under my policy?
  • Are "replacement cost," "actual cash value" and "depreciation" familiar terms?
  • If I have an older home that is partially damaged and needs to comply with the current building codes, how will my policy respond to the additional costs?
  • How do I accurately account for and determine the value of my lost or damaged personal property?
  • How do I correctly value the building damage so it is properly repaired or replaced?
  • If my home was totally destroyed, what would I collect––its replacement cost, the actual cash value (replacement less depreciation) or the market value?
  • If I have replacement cost insurance on my personal property, how am I compensated?
  • Do I have sufficient knowledge of the claims process to effectively negotiate with the insurance company adjuster?
  • Can I commit the time and attention needed to settle my claim accurately and fairly without additional strain on my professional or private life?
What to Do after a Loss
The loss you have recently suffered can be very draining. But by immediately taking the proper steps, you have the power to minimize the damage and help the recovery process.

Note: Each loss situation is unique. These general guidelines are not intended to replace professional insurance, legal and/or financial advice for specific cases. Please feel free to contact us for further information and assistance.
  • Mitigate your loss and protect the property from further damage.
  • Move quickly to save special property such as books, pictures and important papers.
  • Have one spokesperson from your family communicate with the insurance company.
  • Document your activities in a log.
  • Understand your duties and requirements.
  • Have an initial policy analysis to familiarize yourself with your rights and obligations.
  • Control access to the premises.
  • Know the players, including who the insurance company's representatives are.
  • Know your broker or agent's role.
  • Take a proactive position: you must make a claim.
  • Hire your own experts.
  • Do not rely solely on your historical records; secure replacement estimates.
  • Understand that your claim will have to be verified.
  • Understand the negotiation process.
  • Concentrate on maintaining your family and employment, not on preparing claim details––leave that to the experts.

If this all sounds like a lot of complex work, that's because it is. But we're ready to help you with any or all of these steps. Our professionals can get to your loss site quickly and have the resources to guide and support you throughout the claims adjustment process.