When your home is damaged by a peril covered by your insurance policy, each homeowner has specific responsibilities to ensure that no further damage occurs to the property before a claims adjuster can come and assess the damage. This prevents a $2000 claim from becoming a $20,000 situation and aids in your faster return to your home and return to the normalcy you and your family desire.
At Pethel Insurance Group in Kannapolis, NC, we understand that during a time of loss, your emotions are high, and your stress is unbelievable. So, we are here to help guide you through what to do next.
What is a Covered Peril?
A covered peril is a thing that your insurance policy covers your home against. Those things include fire, smoke damage, explosion, lightning strikes, wind and hail, theft, and falling objects. In addition, you can get coverage to protect your home against water damage, vandalism, malicious mischief, the weight of ice and snow, and damage from aircraft or vehicles. There are other damages, such as floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, that you can also get coverage for.
Check your homeowner’s policy to see what perils are covered.
After an Incident Has Occurred
Once you have filed a claim, you need to protect your home. First, you should document any damage you see in the house by writing it down and taking pictures. Then, take an inventory of everything that was damaged or destroyed, including the cost and what you believe it will cost to replace the items.
Next, you take steps to prevent additional damage, such as boarding up broken windows or placing a tarp on a leaking roof. You also make any temporary repairs needed in order to avoid further damage. Finally, save receipts for any supplies and materials you purchased to be reimbursed by insurance.
Then, you will need to provide any information that the insurance company may need during the investigation so that they can get your claim processed in a timely manner. Contact the fire department or police authorities for any relevant information to process your claim.
Lastly, never admit fault when speaking to an insurance adjuster; instead, disclose all events as they happened.
Give us a call today!
If you have any more questions or concerns about your responsibility after a covered peril, we are here to help. Call Pethel Insurance Group in Kannapolis, NC, at (704) 933-9488 today.
