Did your home sustain any damage with the recent storms? If so, it’s very important you have the appropriate coverage on your home in case you need to address any damage you may have received. 

If you did sustain any damages, here are 7️⃣ helpful recommendations from a fantastic insurance agent I work a lot with that I wanted to pass along to you…

1. If the damage exceeds your deductible, call in the claim as soon as you can. Carriers are going to be swamped with claims, and the sooner it is reported, the sooner it can be resolved. 
2.  If the claim adjuster cannot come out for a few days, then your policy allows you to make the necessary repairs to secure your home. If you/your client has to hire a crew to put a tarp over the roof or you need to buy lumber to seal up broken windows or doors, then you will be reimbursed by your carrier (as long as damages exceed your deductible). Do what is necessary to protect your property from further damage or exposure.
3. If you have to stay in a hotel or other location, while your home is being repaired, that is covered under Temporary Living Expenses. Keep receipts of lodging, extra food, gas, and utility costs.
4. Use your phone or other recording devices to take pictures of the damages and then you can upload this information to your insurance carrier. The more information they have up front, the faster your claim can be resolved.
5. If you need to hire a contractor to make repairs on your home, give this information to your insurance adjuster. They can work together to obtain an agreed value and start the repairs. If you do not know of a contractor, the adjuster can recommend some, but it is still your choice.  Sometimes, additional repairs are needed, so the contractor will be able to email these supplemental repair invoices directly to the adjuster.
6. Once repairs are completed, if a new roof had to be installed or there were major changes to finishes on the home, let your agent know this. The repairs are not automatically updated, and a new roof will get you a further discount off your insurance premium. 
7. If your car is damaged, follow the same procedures and take pictures. Advise the adjuster as to your preferred shop and they can also discuss setting you up in a rental car (if you have the coverage). Some shops are set up to work with your carrier and to have a rental car ready for when you drop off your car. 

👉🏼 If you need a recommendation for an insurance carrier to have your policy looked at, shoot me a message and I can provide a few recommendations!