Can anyone me some advice on the treatment of insurance, cooperation in theres a burning house?
My dad’s house, only to catch fire and nearly burned down yesterday. I just want to make sure I had everything under control right – as anyone in our family are always about something. . . Is there anyone can give me advice? Where you can take in extra help? How do you handle insurance cooperatives? Any advice. . . Thanks
March 8th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
I accidently erased my lengthier responce by accident, sorry, so in brief:
- Your insurance parameters are already set, but I was reminded, through my own house fire recovery process, I am the customer and it is up to me to ask for what I want or ask the questions I want.
- You may find it necessary to gently remind people that this is your home and you are the ONLY boss in this the process.
- My insurance covered all cost so the financial end was not as hard to deal with, but I did ask for help from the Red Cross who provided us with toiletries and $150 for clothing, very generous organization.
-The most important part of the recovery is you and your families emotional and physical recovery. I went through several month where I would want to cry for no reason and I became concerned I was loosing it, and honestly even writing this bring tears to my eyes. What this turn out to be was my body physical reaction to the emotional stress, so you are not going crazy. remember other people around you are feeling the same stress so now is the time to work harder at not taking out on others if you do the fire is beating you down and its time for a vacation, seriously.
Finally do not measure the fire recovery process in time, recovery is about finding a healthy way to get back what was taken from you while coming out with more than you loss.
March 8th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Contact the Red Cross – they can provide some emergency assistance.
The best tip I can give you is to cooperate with the insurance company. Each company has it’s own process. So how my company handles things may not be how your company does it.
The insurance company can bring in a restoration company. These companies are turn key. They can handle clean up and re-building. You don’t have to use them, but it can really make things easy if you decide to use them.
March 8th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Same answer for both questions: HE NEEDS TO WORK THROUGH HIS AGENT.
Start dragging out family photos, and making a list of everything you see in the pictures that burned. Or drag out your inventory videotape.
But the extra assistance should come from the agent and adjuster. The agent can handle any issues with the adjuster.
March 8th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
file the claim through the company, If he has and agent, the agent should be there to help answer and keep him informed as to the progress of whats going on. His policy should have coverage for additional living expense to cover a place to live and extra out of pocket expense because he doesn’t have a kitchen. If he has photos of his belongs have them ready if not start trying to recall everything in is house room by room. I am a huge fan of having digital photos room by room stored away from home for this exact reason. You need to just be supportive as it sound you are an know that it will take a little time to get through the whole process.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Sorry for the loss. First thing do not get emotionally involved.
2. Insurance will pay for loss of use. Get your parents a furnished house or have them live with you and get paid.
3.Go over the list of inventory the adjusters come up with and make sure the price is good. Only YOUControl the Insurance Money.
4. Be Careful how you rebuild. Get 3-4 estimates for rebuilding and make sure the builders are financially strong. Do not advance them any money. Pay in stages and pay as stages are completed. NO Exceptions.
5. Get the most upgrades you can for the money.
6. Take your time and do not rush.
7. Stay Away From adjusters that charge a fee.
8. Read your policy carefully and do not let the agent push you around. Remember they work for the insurance company and will try to save the employer money.
Good Luck
MSroya – Agent 6yrs and my parents house also burned.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
File the claim if you have not done so. Give the insurance carriers adjuster the time to make an estimate of the damages. Ask the adjuster exactly what coverages you have. Also you can start to interview contractors for the repairs. Your carrier may provide you with a name or two. Be careful with them as they work “with” your carrier and do not always have your best interest first. This type of contractor receives most of their work if not all from insurance companies. Be advised who is pulling their strings. If the contractors cannot put the home back to “pre-fire” conditon you need to be specific and ask the adjuster for a supplement. This is an additional payment made to you for repairs. During the course of this you can hire a “public adjuster” who will work with you in an attempt to gain more money from the insurance company. Most insurance companies will not pay fair. Why should they? Most of the people have no idea they can ask for additional money. As an adjuster I see most claims underpaid to the homeowner.