You pay for insurance to make sure you are covered in case of fire or water damage, or anything in between. Some homeowners, however, are apprehensive about dealing with an insurance adjuster after they’ve filed a claim. In this post, you’ll find out that there is no need to worry about dealing with your adjuster. Here’s what you should do.
Understand How They Work
Do not be intimidated by the adjuster when you’re negotiating your claim. Expect them to give you a low initial offer. They’re actually expecting you to negotiate. They also know that you’re free to hire a public adjuster. So when your insurance company’s adjuster gives you that first offer, they already know there’s a good chance you’ll reject it.
Insurance adjusters deliver a low initial offer because once you’ve rejected it, they can give you a more reasonable offer. Besides, if you accept the initial offer, it quickens the process and the insurer saves money.
They Are Expected to Act in Good Faith
When you file a claim for storm or fire damage, as long as it’s not an exclusion in your policy, your insurance company is supposed to honor your mutual contract, process your claim as quickly as possible, and give you a check for a fair amount to cover your losses. This is your insurer acting in good faith.
However, there are some bad eggs out there who would stall or fail to investigate your claim. When insurance companies act in bad faith, you can sue them. Lawsuits are typically more expensive for insurers than simply paying their client what their client deserves, so most insurers will do whatever they can to avoid that.
Be Your Own Expert
Find out everything you need to know about your case. It’s always good to have documentation (video and photos) to help adjusters investigate your claim. While adjusters have to deal with several claims at any given time, you only have to deal with yours, so be your own expert advocate and be firm with what you know.
When All Else Fails
Sometimes, negotiations break down. If you know plenty about your own case, you can use your knowledge to make a decision if you can’t reach an agreement with your insurer. You can think about hiring a public adjuster or looking for a lawyer to help you resolve the matter.
If you need help with building restoration after a storm or a fire, get in touch with Anderson Restoration LLC. Call us today at these numbers: Houston/Cypress: (281) 376-7474 or Grapevine: (817) 226-2111. You can also discuss your project here.
