A massive ice storm hit New England on the December 12, 2008
weekend, leaving millions of homes and businesses without electrical power.
Thousands of homes and vehicles were damaged as ice-laden trees and branches
fell.
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Now, you’ll begin the cleanup, recovery and repair process.
Many of you will be submitting insurance claims for damage to your home,
business or vehicle. Let me share a few strategies to help you add hundreds or
even thousands more dollars to your claim settlement.
Vehicle Damage Claims
1. Remember that when
something falls on your vehicle, it will be covered by the “Other Than
Collision” or “Comprehensive” coverage, not your Collision coverage. Make sure
you know what your OTC deductible is.
2. Take your damaged
vehicle to the body shop of YOUR CHOICE, not the choice of the insurance
company. It’s YOUR vehicle, not theirs.
3. Insist on Original
Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, not cheap aftermarket parts. The insurance
company has a legal duty to return you car to its pre-loss condition. Cheap
aftermarket parts are not as safe as OEM parts.
4. Perform a very
careful inspection and test drive of your vehicle after repairs are completed.
If you need to, have a qualified mechanic do the inspection for you. Document
any uncompleted repairs, and make sure they get done right then.
5. If your vehicle is
a total loss, get written appraisals from dealers of your choice to be sure
that the insurance company pays you all that you are entitled to collect.
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Building Damage Claims
1. Mitigate your damages…board
up and tarp the home or business if necessary. The costs are covered.
2. Call a restoration
contractor, not just a remodeling contractor.
3. Get your chosen
contractor to meet with the insurance adjuster and agree on the scope of
damages. Don’t just accept an estimate written by the adjuster.
4. If your home is
too damaged to live in, your policy may have Additional Living Expense
coverage. Carefully document all your expenses over and above your normal
expenses while you’re living in a hotel or apartment.
5. If you have heavy
damage to your home or business, consider consulting with a Public Adjuster to
help you with your claim. They are claims professionals, and can customarily
help you maximize your settlement amount.
If you have experienced a property loss, you need to know
winning insurance claim strategies. The insurance company will not tell you the
claims process, but I will. I will show you how to take control of your
insurance claim, and add hundreds or even thousands more dollars to your claim
settlement. For more information, go to the website listed below.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1795103
