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 Ever notice most businesses ask you for information and give
you none? At DRC Construction we welcome your questions. We want you to have a
solid understanding of your project so we can offer the best solution. This allows us
to expedite your claim and schedule repairs as fast as possible.
Alert! Click here for
a Disaster Insurance Claims Checklist... Many of us have never filed a claim with an insurance company. We are unsure of
procedure and the extent of our involvement. We don't understand our policy
coverage or our rights as a policy holder and we usually have a lot of questions...
- What is my Insurance Company going to do with my call?
- What information do they need from me?
- How can I be assured that my adjustment is fair?
- Do I have any say about this?
- What can I do to protect my settlement?
- How do I understand what I am reading on my adjustment?
- After the fuzzy math, depreciation and deductibles, how much do I get?
- How do I receive my payments?
- Do I have to use all this money on my repairs?
- Do they pick a contractor or do I find my own?
- How long will this take?
 It is your
Insurance Company's responsibility to respond to claims made within a certain
time frame. This varies depending on severity of each disaster. The response
period is regulated by the State Board of Insurance within the state that
you reside. When you make your call and file a claim, they should give you a
schedule of when you can expect help.
During your initial phone contact, they will ask you a series of
questions. This should supply
them with the information needed to build your file and start the claims
process. They will issue you a claim number and the process will begin.
Once an adjuster
has visited your property they will contact you to offer further
information, schedule for paperwork etc ... This usually takes a few days to
complete. If there are additional questions, they will get back with you once they have
completed your claim loss estimate sheet. Some insurance adjusters deliver this in person, others mail it to you.
Many adjusters will ask you if you have chosen a contractor or taken any
bids on repairs. If you have, many times they will work directly with your
chosen contractor to clarify cost, expedite payment and allow for scheduling
of repairs. They know that we speak the construction language and can help to
represent our clients, saving a lot of time in managing the claim. Your best
protection for proper settlement concerning your repair cost is knowledge in
the construction/repair industry (which most people don't have). It is imperative that you locate a
good contractor, check them out and then allow them to assist you. A quality,
reputable contractor with references and a track record can sometimes be the
only line of defense that you have between you and an improper or incomplete
settlement. Understand that you are not stuck with the first estimate that
the insurance company gives you. This is simply an estimated guess as to the
cost of repairs and to those items in need of attention. It may be all
inclusive and thorough or not. There are
knowledgeable Insurance Adjusters and those in a learning stage. Naturally, if they are going
to err in estimating fair claims prices, it will usually be to the advantage of
the Insurance Company.
 Once you have your information you should sit down with your
chosen contractor and have them go thru the adjustment with you. They will
explain what you are reading and cover all aspects concerning
depreciation……deductibles……payments and bottom-line settlement. If necessary
they can open dialog with your adjuster on your behalf to make any necessary
negotiation adjustments to complete the settlement. This is your fastest,
most complete and economic way to a proper settlement with your Insurance
Company.
Once you and your contractor feel that terms have been reached ask for
written confirmation. This is very important! Adjusters are cycled in and
out of a disaster areas. Some are long term in the region and some
are temporary. It is sometimes difficult for replacements to pick-up where
their associates left off. Get everything in writing to avoid problems later
on claims that are still in open file status. Once you have received
confirmation that your claim is processed, you may contact your contractor and begin repairs.
Remember
that your local contractor is on your team! At DRC we are here to help.
Call us in Texas at (713) 316-4919 or in Louisiana at (504) 712-8522 or email us and we will be happy to assist with any additional
questions that you may have. After that, let DRC complete your repairs. You
will be glad you did.
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