Homeowner's insurance is the coverage you least want to be without, because it is what protects you financially once your property has been damaged. Most people never read the policy closely until the day they need it, which is the worst possible time to work out what it does and does not cover. Reading it with a clear head is easier than piecing it together in the middle of a loss, and if a contractor has already walked off with your money and left damage behind, the policy language is where your claim begins.
Lead attorney on every case we take, backed by a dedicated legal team you work with directly.
After the damage occurs, contact your insurer and open a claim. Preserve the evidence, which does not require anything elaborate: photographs of all the damage are usually enough. Call the police if the circumstances warrant it, and keep the full report. Every form you sign or fill out in connection with the claim belongs in your own records, kept somewhere safe until the process is finished. If you have to leave the home, hold on to your receipts, because some policies reimburse hotel and motel stays.
Expect an adjuster, particularly if the loss is expensive. The adjuster's role is to value your claim, and to make sure the company pays what it is legally required to pay and no more. You will be asked to document what you are claiming, and you will be pushed toward settling. Never agree to a number you are not comfortable with. Insurance companies come to the table with adjusters and attorneys already on their side, and having someone on yours changes how the conversation goes.
Contractor Insurance Claims
Home insurance is one insurance you do not want to be without. Home insurance is what protects you financially after there is damage done to your property. People tend to not think about home insurance until the storm hits. Once you obtain home insurance, make sure you understand everything in your policy. Understanding your policy will save you a headache later. It is better to understand a complicated policy when you have a clear head than try to piece it together during a stressful time.
Freundlich & Littman, LLC are home insurance claims lawyers. If you are in need of a lawyer to fight your homeowner’s insurance claim, we are here for you.
After Damage Occurs
After a contractor takes your money and leaves, your next step is to get in touch with your insurance company to file a claim for the damages. You pay money each month and deserve the have the fullest protection for your money.
Your next priority is maintaining all the evidence. You do not need to laminate everything or go overboard to preserve the evidence. It is enough to just take pictures of all the damage.
If necessary, call the police. The police will give you a full report for your records. Any forms that you sign or fill out in connection with your insurance claim should be in your personal records. Keep all documents in a safe place until the insurance claim process is complete.
If you need to leave your home, keep receipts. Some insurances will reimburse you for hotel or motel stays.
Your insurance company will ask you to provide your basic demographic information and details about the damage. Especially if the damage is costly, your insurance company will most likely have an insurance adjuster contact you. The adjuster is there to determine the value of your claim.
Prepare yourself for several questions regarding your claim. The insurance adjuster’s job is to make sure the insurance companies only pay for what they have to by law. Insurance companies may also require you to show proof for whatever insurance payouts you feel entitled to receive. Insurance adjusters will try to get you to settle your claim. In short, never agree to a settlement offer that you are not comfortable with.
If you feel that you are not getting the full amount that you feel entitled to, do not accept payment. If an offer from the insurance adjuster does not feel fair, do not hesitate to contact legal counsel to review your options. Insurance companies have a lot of weight in the legal world. They have adjusters and attorneys on their side. If you also have someone on your side, it will help the process.
