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Tips for Filing Disaster Insurance Claims

The rains and winds have subsided, and the floodwaters are receding. Boards and shutters can be removed and valuables unpacked. The effects of the most recent hurricane visit to the Gulf Coast can still be seen in the piles of debris dotting the roadways, as residents are able to return to their homes to make initial assessments of damages.

Fortunately, for most on the Emerald Coast, damage done by Hurricane Dennis was not as widespread as that by Hurricane Ivan just a short 10 months ago. For some, though, extensive repairs are needed but the process of making an insurance claim seems more intimidating than the hurricane they just endured.

While the claims process can be long, simply due to the vast number of people who were affected, there are steps you can take to make it run a little smoother:

· File fast – call your insurance agent as soon as possible. Many policies have time limits for when a claim can be filed. When you make the initial call have your policy number, and a telephone number or e-mail address where you can be reached ready to give your agent.

· Keep records – write down dates, names of people you talked with, outline what you talked about, and ask the agent to call back immediately with a claim number.

· Make only temporary repairs – do only patchwork repairs to prevent any further damage, and take photos before making those repairs. Keep receipts for any cleaning or repair bills, including materials and equipment rentals. Before making any permanent repairs, remember, any work done prior to a claim being finalized may not be reimbursed.

· Inventory contents – it is better to have an inventory of your property, both inside and outside, before you need it. If that was not done, you can still provide an adjuster items like family photos that also include certain items like furniture or jewelry that were lost or damaged. Credit card companies can often provide proof of purchase if receipts or billing statements were lost and banks can provide cancelled checks. If you do not have these sorts of records, include the date and place of purchase, and the estimated value of the item.

· Save any damaged items – if possible, save any items that were damaged until an adjuster can inspect them. This includes items inside your home such as furniture, carpeting and drapes, and those that were damaged on the outside, such as shutters and decorative trim. If this is not possible, take photos of everything. Go from room to room to compile lists of any damage to the structure and personal items.

· Get repair estimates first – get your own estimates from reputable contractors before an adjuster reviews your property. The adjuster can use these to help assess repair values. Do not forget that garages, sheds and pool areas, electrical and plumbing systems may also need to be inspected for repair estimates.

· Readily identify your home - if you have to leave your home, make sure the insurance adjuster can identify it easily. Post the house number and your insurance company’s name where it can be easily seen.

· Keep hotel receipts – if you cannot return to your home because structurally it is unsafe or local law enforcement or other government agencies have banned occupancy, keep receipts for other accommodation costs. Many policies cover “loss of use” of a home and reimburse these additional expenses. Storage expenses and furniture rental, food, and car rentals may also be covered. Read your policy carefully though, some coverage may be exhausted in extreme cases after a long period of time.

· Get your home inspected – have an adjuster inspect the damage to your home and its contents. Contact your insurance company if an adjuster has not been assigned to you within several days.

· File federal disaster claims – if your area is declared a federal disaster, file a claim with the Federal Emergency Management Agency after you filed your insurance claim. To file for FEMA Disaster Assistance, call (800) 621-3362.

· Be patient – there is no law mandating a time frame for when an insurance company is required to inspect your home. Remember there are many more thousands of residents also trying to have insurance claims processed.

· Do not take no for an answer – if there is a disagreement over the estimated repair or replacement value, first file an appeal, or try mediation or arbitration. If that does not help, you can file a complaint by calling the National Consumer Insurance Help Line at (800) 942-4242. If all else fails, you can file a lawsuit. This option can be costly and may not be worth the court expense, so consider this only as a last resort.

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