Had A Flood That Caused A Lot Of Damage? 3 Tips To Help Things Go Smoothly

If there was a flood in your area that caused a lot of damage to your home, one of the first things you should do is contact your insurance company. Below you will find three tips to help things go much better for you.

Hire an Insurance Adjuster

An insurance adjuster will be sent out to your property to determine the damage the flood caused your home. This is important as this will show the insurance company the amount of money they need to pay in order to repair all damages and get your home back to normal. This insurance adjuster does work for the insurance company, however, so you never know if they are putting you first when doing the inspection.

Instead, you should hire a public insurance adjuster to help you. This professional does not work for your insurance company but instead works on their own. This way they will put your interests first and ensure the report they do will include all damages to your home. The public insurance adjuster can then work with your insurance company to make sure everything is taken care of.

Obtain the Estimate

When the adjuster finishes with their inspection make sure they leave a copy of the replacement or repair estimate with you. While the adjuster is doing the inspection, you or someone else in your family should stay with them. This will ensure that you are in agreement with what the insurance adjuster finds. During the inspection, the insurance adjuster will determine what can be repaired and what should be replaced. 

If there is something the adjuster says can be repaired but you do not agree with this, this is the time you need to discuss this. 

Talk with Your Insurance Agent

Contact your insurance agent as soon as you can to see how they can help you. You should do this soon because if you wait too long, the insurance company can deny your claim. Ask the insurance company if they can put you in temporary living arrangements if your home is not livable. For example, if the bathroom was destroyed in your home then it would be considered not livable. 

Ask the insurance company if your premiums are going to change. In some cases, insurance companies will raise premiums after a large claim, such as after a flood. Also, determine how long it will take for the process as it could be a few weeks.

Your insurance company can help you in many ways and can give you information that should help you get through this difficult process.

For more information, reach out to a local public insurance adjuster.