You shouldn’t just assume that your insurance provider has everything handled for you. Letting them lead the charge is a quick way to make a mistake that can impact your settlement in ways that can be very difficult to reverse. For expert assistance in receiving a fair settlement, trust Altieri Insurance Consultants Jacksonville, the partner property owners rely on!
Protect yourself and your property by asking your insurer these 5 questions after sustaining property damage:
1. What Is the Deadline For Filing My Claim?
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when experiencing an insurance claim is missing your reporting deadline. Every insurance provider has a demand for their policyholder to file a claim timely after the damage has occurred. It is absolutely crucial to know the obligations imposed upon you, by the policy, once you file a claim. When you miss a deadline, it can disqualify you from carrier payment. Notify your insurer immediately after deciding that you need to file a claim and be sure to obtain any filing deadlines you will be subject to during the claims process.
Meeting imposed deadlines will help to prevent your insurer from asserting investigative prejudice as a reason to deny your claim.
Read more > Settling An Insurance Claim After a Hurricane: Avoid These 6 Mistakes
2. Is It Really Best To Let The Insurance Company Determine How Much They Owe?
First and foremost, it is the policyholder’s responsibility to prepare and present their claim to the insurer. If you have to do it yourself, it’s not always obvious what your claim report should include, and the omission of any vital documents can either harm or slow the process. Cover your bases by making sure you are fully prepared to include everything you need to file an insurance claim. You will need help, so make your insurer provides you with directions in writing. Keep in mind that proof of damage and proof of its repair or replacement cost will be required as a key to getting paid. When experiencing significant loss, isn’t it just good business to have your claim preparation be performed by a claim professional working for you?
3. Is My Type of Property Damage Included For Coverage In My Policy?
Natural disasters can encompass a wide scope of damage, and not every policy covers everything that can happen to your property. When you call your insurer after sustaining property damage, ask the agent if your type of damage qualifies for a settlement before you file. Insurance claim types in Florida can include water damage, fire damage, wind damage, burst pipes, and so on.
4. When Can I Expect to Receive My First Offer?
Even if it’s just a rough estimate, knowing when to expect to hear back from your insurer with a settlement offer will help you determine if they’re taking too long with the process and if you should inquire about a claim status. If the loss is significant, in your first meeting with the insurer, ask your adjuster for a claim payment “advance” to assist with claim related expenses rather than going into your own pocket for funding. If the anticipated payment deadline passes with little to no progress in processing your claim, you may need to take action by looking for professional assistance. Neglecting to act at this point can result in lower offers and more time spent waiting to get your business back on track. Public adjusters have been known to light a fire under these insurance companies to get them moving.
5. As a Business Owner, Are Lost Profits Included In My Coverage?
If you are a business owner that’s not operating after suffering damage related to an insurance claim, every day you’re closed can result in hefty losses. You should find out immediately if any lost profits from business interruption are covered in your policy so you can make claim to resume operations as soon as possible.
| Make sure you’re prepared to handle property insurance claims. Read our Hurricane Prep 101 guide for what to do before, during, and after disaster strikes. |
Let Us Talk to Your Insurer! Hire Our Public Adjusters to Get What You Are Owed
Reach out to Altieri Insurance Consultants Jacksonville for professional representation when filing your property insurance claim. Our team of public adjusters know how to communicate with insurers and establish leverage for you in the claims process.
We expedite insurance payments with precision, persistence, and professionalism to get your business back into operations.
