It's important for homeowners to always be prepared for the possibility of an insurance claim. Many homeowners or policyholders often don't think about it until it's too late and something's happened.
Here are a few things that we recommend that all policyholders do:
1. Keep access to your insurance policy. In order to file a claim, you'll need to know your policy number and deductible amount. If you'd like a public adjuster to check the endorsements and any coverage you may have, it's always best to have a copy of your policy.
2. We also recommend taking pictures of your house or property once a year. That way, you have documentation of what was in your house and how your house was set up, in case of property damage (fire, water leak, etc.).
3. If your home is in need of immediate repairs, it's essential that you take as many pictures as possible of the damage. Time stamped photos of the property, prior to any work being done, are essential.
4. Be sure to avoid any permanent repairs before filing your insurance claim and keep receipts for any temporary solutions. This way, when the insurance company comes out to evaluate the damage, they'll be able to reimburse you for any fees or expenses you many have incurred while temporarily keeping your property in working capacity. This could include hiring a professional tarping company to cover your roof if the shingles are missing, stopping a leak, fixing a burst pipe, or any other temporary remedies to protect your home from further damage.