1. CALL YOUR INSURANCE AGENT OR INSURANCE COMPANY.
Report the damage to your insurance agent or insurance company representative. Ask questions such as: Am I covered? Does my claim exceed my deductible? (Your deductible is the amount of loss you agree to pay yourself when you buy a policy.) How long will it take to process my claim? Will I need to obtain estimates for both structural damage and content replacement.
2. Make Temporary Repairs.
Make temporary repairs to prevent further weather-related damage and theft. Cover holes in the roof, walls, doors and windows with plastic or board. Be careful not to risk your own safety in making the repairs.
Save receipts for any material you buy. Your insurance company will reimburse you for the cost.
Beware of building contractors that encourage you you to spend a lot of money on temporary repairs. Remember that payments for temporary repairs are part of the total settlement. If you pay a contractor a large sum for a temporary repair job, you may not have enough money for permanent repairs.
Don't make extensive permanent repairs until after your claims adjuster has been to your home and assessed the damage.
Avoid using electrical appliances, including stereos and television sets, that have been exposed to water unless they've been checked by a technician.
SAVE RECEIPTS AND PREPARE FOR YOUR ADJUSTERS VISIT.
1. Make lists of the damaged personal property. Include brand name and model number of appliances and electronic equipment. If possible, take photographs of the damage. Don't forget to list items such as clothing, sports equipment, tools, jewelry, china, outside furniture, holiday decorations, silver and hobby material.
2. Use your SECURE CONTENTS INVENTORY to help with this process. If you have no inventory, put together a set of records - old receipts, bills and photographs - to help establish the price and age of everything that needs to be replaced or repaired.
3. If your property was completely destroyed or you no longer have any records, you will have to work from memory. Try to picture the contents of every room and write a description of what was there. Try also to remember where and when you bought each piece and about how much you paid.
4. CALL: SECURE CONTENTS,WE CAN HELP! 1-818-219-1515