We all heard the old saying “a picture is worth 1000 words”. Well, as a public insurance adjuster, I have to say that is certainly true in documenting Insurance Claims. There were many times I was glad we had photos when Insurance companies challenged our claim submissions and there were few times, I wish I took more.
Photos and the physical damage are enough. What I mean by that is occasionally, I have a client insist that the Insurance see the tree on the house or feel the wet carpet. I assure you that is not necessary. Your insurance company Adjuster knows what wet carpet and drywall looks like, so they don’t have to see it for themselves. Conversely so, your insurance policy requires you to protect your property from further damage after a loss. You must take the tree off the house and patch the roof, so more water doesn’t enter the home the next day it rains. You are required to remove the wet carpet out to prevent secondary damage from mold and mildew. It also helps to calculate the repair cost when the damaged items are removed. Since it is required to protect your property under your policy, your insurance company will reimburse you for any expense you incur.
You also have a duty to show your insurance company the damaged property. This means that you can make any temporary repairs to protect your property, but you cannot make permanent repairs until the insurance company has a chance to inspect. In our example with the tree through the roof, you can remove the tree, tarp the hole in the roof then stop. You cannot get the local roofer to replace the plywood and put on a new roof before your insurance company has a chance to see the damaged roof.
Resist the urge to load the curb on trash night. You are required to separate the damaged property from the undamaged property. I had many clients walk the wet contents from the basement to the curb the first trash night after the damaged occurred. By doing that you just walked your claim to the trash truck. You are better to pile them in the back yard. Regardless, if you take pictures, your insurance company still needs to see the damaged items before they pay for them. Patience pays.
The rules of a successful claim are many. It is always best to consult a professional to protect your interest.
