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You wake in the middle of the night to a strange
sound outside. You look out your bedroom window
and see your neighbors standing on your lawn in
pajamas, eyes wide in various degrees of excitement
and concern. Your home is on fire and you need to
get your family out fast. The fire has been reported
early and is put out before the damage spreads beyond
your garage and an adjoining storage room. What
do you do now?
The very first thing to do is call your insurance agent
or company to report the loss. Regardless of whether you
must leave a recorded message, or get to talk to a live
representative, make the report.
Do not make any permanent
or unnecessary repairs prior to an insurance adjuster inspecting
the damage. Do
take steps to prevent further damage or looting. If
your home is not inhabitable without making permanent
repairs, most policies will provide for reasonable
reimbursement of food and lodging until an adjuster
can arrive and authorize repairs.
Hopefully, you have
made a detailed list of your personal property and left
it with a trusted friend or relative.
Regardless, while your memory is most fresh, make a
detailed list of the damaged or lost items. If you
still have receipts or canceled checks for the purchase
of those items, you will help the adjuster set a fair
value on replacement cost.
You should always try to
be available and present during the insurance adjuster's
inspection. This gives
you the opportunity to ask questions, point out damages,
and take notes of what is said. If you have time, it's
always nice to have your own contractor at the meeting
as well.
Finally, try to remember that your adjuster
is a person. They are used to getting yelled at and
physically threatened
nearly every day. They experience a high frequency
of attempted fraud and always have to consider it.
Try not to be confrontational or unpleasant with your
adjuster. They understand you're under stress (and
this stress transfers to them), and they most likely
really do want to help you. Make their job as easy
as you can for them. Give adjusters detailed directions
to your home and leave signs or landmarks they can
easily find when searching for your property. If you
think you have been treated unfairly by your adjuster
or company try talking with your agent to see if they
can help and if you are still not getting anywhere
you can complain to the Massachusetts Department of
Insurance by clicking here.
When
in doubt you can always call us. That's what we are
here for. |
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