Filing a Claim after a Natural Disaster

Natural disasters like hurricanes and floods have been a major topic of conversation of late. The silver lining in the massive loss and damage that has occurred in Texas is that it has caused many homeowners to reevaluate the need for flood and earthquake damage coverage that is not typically covered by a homeowners’ insurance policy. Those who have the coverage will be protected if a disaster occurs. However, ensuring that you get the insurance pay out as quickly as possible is often not easy. It is estimated that the damage caused by hurricane Harvey in Texas could be around $10 billion. It means that insurance companies will have to process tens of thousands of claims. That volume will often lead to delays in the payouts. According to the National Association of Realtors, after a major natural disaster it could take anywhere from a week to a few months for an insurance adjuster to get in touch with a policy holder. It is worthwhile knowing what you can do to speed up the process if you should ever need to make a claim.

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Expediting an Insurance Claim

• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Even a day’s delay could mean weeks or months longer before the payout is made. It is not that the companies intentionally delay payments – they are flooded with claims and so the sooner the claim is filed, the sooner it can be processed.

• Ask the insurance company when you can expect the adjuster to contact you. This will enable you to be ready when he comes.

• Take pictures and videos of the damage, including personal items. Include the date of purchase and keep receipts of high-value items in a place where they will not be lost.

• Keep a record and receipts of everything you spend to make any immediate repairs that maybe possible and are essential. Also, record everything you spend on accommodation and food in case your home is unlivable.

•  Keep a detailed record of all the actions you take in filing your claim. This includes the people from the insurance company you speak to or correspond with. Note down the dates, times and include details of what was discussed.

•  Be careful of what you discard. The adjuster may want to see these items. In case you have to discard them because of municipal hazard regulations or for your own safety, take pictures of all that is discarded to show to the adjuster.

•  If the insurance company offers you the options of signing up for text alerts, do so. This is the quickest way to know the status of your claim, when the estimate is ready and when the payment will be made.

If you have the insurance policies or if you are planning to get additional coverage, talk to your insurance broker about other area or insurance company specific actions you can take to expedite the process, if you should ever have to make a claim.