The Basics Of The Claims Process

It can be difficult dealing with the aftermath of a burglary, fire or other disaster.

You may feel emotionally overwhelmed. The claims process can seem overwhelming, too. But a good insurance provider will walk you through the appropriate steps.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Let’s say an unfortunate event has occurred and you have gone through all the necessary steps of reporting the damage to your home. What happens next? Typically your insurance provider will send out an insurance adjuster to assess the situation and write a report on the damage. The provider will then get estimates from various contractors about the repairs that your home requires.

If you lost furniture or other personal belongings as part of the disaster, those costs will be tallied up. Depending on how your policy is structured, you will either receive the value that you paid for your items or the current market value.

“You may also be eligible to receive reimbursement for other living arrangements that you had to make if your home has become unlivable. You may also have to buy new furniture or clothing,” said Lee Rogers of Florida Insurance in Orlando. “It is important that you keep receipts and records of what you have spent during this time so that these figures can be added to your total reimbursement.”

Your insurance provider may write you an initial check to help with your expenses, though this does not reflect the total reimbursement. Once the insurance provider totals all of the figures and your deductible is subtracted, you will then receive a final reimbursement.

There are several factors that can complicate the claims process. In fact, it is possible to receive up to four checks for a single incident: A check for the damage to your home, a check for your personal effects, a check for your living expenses and a check later on if additional damage is discovered and verified by an appraiser.

If your home is destroyed, you can also have the option to rebuild. Your home will be rebuilt to the same standards that it was in before the incident occurred. Of course, the money will go toward paying off the mortgage if you have one on the house. You will receive the remainder if it is greater than the amount you owe. Money for repairs will be put in an escrow account.

“When filing an insurance claim, it is important to provide accurate and timely information to your insurance provider to keep the claims process running as smoothly as possible,” Rogers said.

For more information, visit www.floridainsurance.com on the Web or call 1.888.525.2210.

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