If you’re like most people, you don’t look forward to communicating with your insurance company. It’s easy to understand why. Insurance companies often use terms that make it difficult to feel like you have a proper understanding of what you need to know in order to complete your claim.
When it comes to handling your claim with the insurance company, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible. Here are a few tips for working with your insurance company after your home or business suffers a loss.
- Do not sign anything relating to confidentiality or disclosure without consulting with your attorney first. Doing so can dramatically change or reduce your insurance claim recovery.
- Have your documentation ready! Make sure that you have pictures or records of everything possible in relation to your insurance claim. Don’t forget to have backups of these records and pictures.
- Keep a diary of all communication with your insurance company. Who did you talk to? When? What was the topic you discussed? What was the outcome of the conversation?
- Be helpful. If the insurance company asks you for something to help complete your file, do what you can to complete the request and include that information in your records.
- Know your stuff. Literally. Do some of the research yourself to find out how much you should be compensated for different items, especially large items needed for your home or business.
- Pay attention to how the representatives of the insurance company interact. If someone is rude or condescending, make note of that in your diary as that information could be used to your benefit.
- Keep your friends close, but your insurance representatives at a distance. The people who work for the insurance company are not your buddies, even though they may attempt to get chummy. Always keep the interactions professional.
- Remember that the insurance representatives are merely that: representatives. They are not the actual insurance company and often have little say in exactly what happens with your claim. Keep your frustrations out of your conversations.
- Check your communications before hitting the send button. You are keeping track of their communications, and they are keeping track of yours as well. Keep that in mind at all times.
- Keep your cool. Everyone has a job to do and it is important to remember that. Stay as relaxed as possible. This is your time to shine!
All of these items may seem like quite a bit to do and keep track of, but that’s why having someone like a licensed public adjuster working on your claim can be such a benefit. If you don’t want to worry about dealing with the insurance company, a public adjuster can represent you in order to help the process go more smoothly.
If you have any questions about these items or if you want to get in touch with a licensed public adjuster, feel free to call the team at Crossroads Insurance Recovery Advocates at 713-369-4300 so that we can start working on your recovery today.