When you buy insurance for your home or business, most consumers expect that it will cover them in the event of water or fire-related damages. Whenever you are asked a question by your insurance company, you can always ask the representative to explain why they are requesting that information. In most cases, your insurance company will want to confirm whether damages:
Were sudden and accidental
Whether they resulted from a covered source
The source of loss can be covered or excluded (not covered) by the terms in your policy. It is important to understand what you are buying, especially if you chose your policy based upon the lowest price. Your claim may be covered, not covered (excluded), or have limits on the extent of coverage. If the damages result from a covered (or non-excluded) source, the cost to mitigate and repair those damages should be covered by the claim. As is encouraged by the United Policyholders, you should always keep good notes and document every conversation you have, including who you spoke to, when you spoke to them, and what you discussed. We encourage our clients to follow up every conversation with an email. Doing so helps to document the process. We ensure that we are transparent with our communication between all parties during the estimating and repairs process.
It is important to distinguish the source from the damages, as you likely will be responsible to cover the cost of fixing the source in addition to your deductible. For example, if the water heater leaks, you likely will have coverage for sudden and accidental damages that result from this event. Typically you will have to pay to repair or replace the water heater itself. In most cases, that cost does not count towards your deductible, which is the amount you have agreed to pay out of pocket when you have a claim. A quality local contractor who understands the insurance claims process can be a great resource to help you accurately communicate the details of your loss to the insurance company and should be able to assist you with expediting the process.
Tips for buying the right insurance coverage for your home
Additionally, there are a few things you should know prior to filing an insurance claim. Our friend David Princeton of Advocate Claim Service, joined The DYOJO Podcast to discuss his top tips for homeowners. His first piece of advice centered around contacting a knowledgeable local insurance agent (see the video at the end of this post). When the worst happens to your homes, such as water or fire damage, you want to know that your insurance company representatives are working for you. This starts with having a local agent who understands your risks and will assist you in the claims process. When you are interviewing local insurance agents you may want to ask them what they do when a claim comes in. Do they refer their customers to their organization’s 1-800 number or are they involved in the process?
The motto of Advocate Claim Service is, "Where you can find solutions to claims that are causing you anxiety." David Princeton and his team are ready to help home and business owners navigate doubtful and disputed insurance claims. In this video, David discusses his top three tips for homeowners considering property insurance, before a claim even happens:
DON"T buy an insurance policy based on price alone.
Not all insurance policies are created equal. If you select something on price alone, you often are being sold something that is a high margin item for the salesperson that may not cover what it should.
DO buy special cause of loss coverage forms
Forms come in basic, broad, and special, each adds a layer of protection.
DO ask about coverage enhancing endorsements
Coverage is typically written for catastrophic losses. As David says, "You may save 15 percent in 15 minutes but you're probably going to spend 30 to 40 grand because of it."
Choosing the right insurance claims restoration contractor in Fredrickson
Our team at ARES Restoration takes pride in being a part of our local community and enjoys the opportunity to serve our clients in the Fredrickson area. Water and fire damage leaves home and business owners with the feeling of losing control of their environment. At ARES, our motto is, “Giving You Back Your Home,” as we work to help you thoroughly document the extent of your losses so that we can accurately estimate the necessary repairs and communicate those items to your insurance company.
Insurance Claims Experts. ARES specializes in helping you navigate the nuanced process of insurance claims repairs.
FREE In-Home Consultations. Our ARES team looks forward to meeting with you to discuss the unique needs of your restoration project.
Exceptional Service. ARES prides itself in its ability to create positive customer experiences.
Licensed & Insured. Our ARES team stands behind the quality of our work as we work to Give You Back Your Home.