As flooded Midwestern rivers overrun their banks and work their way southward, many families and businesses will be spending a lot of time cleaning up and filing insurance claims.
To help them through this, members of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters have offered insight on coping with such a disaster and in dealing with an insurance company.
“The resources and expertise available through the members of NAPIA are some of the best in the insurance adjusting industry,” NAPIA President Ron Reitz, said in a statement. “NAPIA public adjusters assist insureds with their claims as a profession and the insight they have is extremely valuable. I encourage consumers to read the suggestions below that our members have offered to help those suffering a loss.”
The following tips are for property owners who are filing insurance claims for damage caused by rain-induced flooding:
1. “I recommend that all homeowners review their insurance policies and consider consulting and hiring a licensed professional public adjuster to assist with any claims they may have.” Brian Goodman, Esq., Pessin Katz Law, P.A.
2. “The safety of your family and/or employees is obviously the most important concern. After everyone has been safely evacuated, contact your insurance representative and request a copy of your full insurance policy if you do not have one on file outside of your home so that you can be sure to receive all promised benefits. A licensed public adjuster can assist you with this process.” Greg Raab, Adjusters International, Inc.
3. “If you did not have a video stored off premises of your home possessions, ask family and friends, and search your own online storage, for photos of your house from holiday gatherings, parties, etc. to provide video evidence and documentation of your home and personal property.” Harvey Goodman, SPPA, The Goodman-Gable-Gould Co./AI
4. “If you must evacuate your home or business, take a moment and take several snapshots with a camera or cell phone of each room from several different angles. Include shots of the exterior from different sides of the structure.” Jeffrey O’Connor, SPPA, Alex N. Sill Company
5. “Hire an inventory specialist who will painstakingly go through the remains of the house and catalogue everything that is there, a process that often takes days or weeks and involves crawling and digging through wreckage to access belongings. These professionals, many of whom are public insurance adjusters, will also sit down with you one-on-one and help you recreate belongings in areas of your home that may have been completely destroyed.” Drew Lucurell, Esq., SPPA, Adjusters International Pacific Northwest, Inc.
6. “Start a diary, either electronic or notebook form, and include all contact information from both authorities and insurance company representatives. Log all information daily and keep track of all expenses that may be replacements or emergency living costs, as well as property protection costs. Keeping contact information and commitments and instructions from the various parties organized is vitally important.” Stephen Figlin, SPPA, FPPA, Young Adjustment Company Inc.
7. “Retain experts to assist you in proving the loss. You may need an architect, engineer, equipment expert, and contractor. Make sure that they understand how to deal with insurance companies, as you want them to work in your best interest.” R. Scott deLuise, SPPA, Matrix Business Consulting
8. “Try to find a good temporary location. You might be out longer than expected. Also, have your mail forwarded to your new address and your home phone forwarded to your cell.” Ronald Papa, SPPA, National Fire Adjustment Company, Inc.
9. “If you have time, remove all valuables if the property is not secure. If you must – hire security. You may be reimbursed for this expense.” Clay Morrison, CPPA, Morrison & Morrison, Inc.
10. “The immediate impact of a natural disaster such as flooding is emotional and traumatic. It’s important to take a breath, slow down and methodically work the through the details of what has been lost. If you do not and instead rush through the claims process, months down the road you will be suffering a secondary traumatic financial event during the insurance claims process. Measuring and documentation are key to recovery.” Karl Denison, CPPA, Goodman-Gable-Gould/AI
