8 Tips for Filing an Insurance Claim After a Kansas Storm
Whether it’s hail, wind, and tornadoes in the spring and summer or snow, ice, and wind in the winter, Kansas homes take a beating by the elements year-round. In the unfortunate event your home sustains weather damage, All States Home Improvement will guide you through the insurance process to ensure your home is repaired as quickly as possible. Read on for our top eight tips for preparing and filing your insurance claim.
1. Photograph All Damage
Immediately after a storm passes, carefully walk your property and survey the damage. Be sure to have your phone ready to take photos of anything you come across, big or small. Here are a few things to look for:
- Siding: cracks, peeled paint, loose panels
- Windows: damaged panes or frames, shattered or cracked glass
- Roof: missing or cracked shingles, granules in gutters and downpipes
If you notice damage on your roof, we urge you to contact us to perform a thorough inspection rather than getting up on your roof yourself. Our roofing experts are trained to identify problem areas and determine whether you need repairs or a full replacement.
2. Prevent Additional Damage
Failure to mitigate damages could threaten your claim. Therefore, after photographing any issues, your next step should be thwarting any additional damage. You should avoid performing any substantial repairs before filing your claim, but it’s important to secure tarps to a leaking roof or board up broken windows. Be sure to keep receipts for anything you have to purchase, as these may be included in your insurance claim coverage.
3. Contact Your Insurer Promptly
Whether you choose to file a claim or not, contact your insurer to ask about the next steps, what your policy covers, and any statute of limitations. Your agent can explain what to expect and answer any questions about your policy and the claim process.
4. Review Your Policy
While speaking to your insurer, go over your policy and any limitations it includes. The amount you’re paid after storm damage will depend on the coverage you have. Typical policies cover damage to your home and personal property, minus your deductible amount. Now is the time to clarify your coverage so there are no surprises down the line.
5. Keep Copies of All Communication
If your damage happens during a widespread storm, you will likely be one of many homeowners your insurance company is serving. Therefore, you might be assigned an inexperienced adjuster, and you may even have the misfortune of dealing with multiple adjusters for your claim. Back everything up by keeping documentation of all of the correspondence you have with your adjuster(s) as well as any photos or paperwork you give them.
6. Hire a Local Professional
When choosing a contractor, you should always give preference to a local company with longevity in the industry. When storms rip across the plains, you often see roofing contractors pop up after a hail storm. Unfortunately, they tend to appear overnight and skip town with your payment before the work is done. Choosing an established local company will protect you from untraceable, unreliable contractors who perform shoddy work.
All States Home Improvement is fully licensed and insured with factory-trained inspectors. Therefore, you can count on our skilled experts to help you through the repairs and claim process. Our team will help with any concerns or questions before, during, and after the job and work to provide the needed documentation and evidence your insurance company may need to receive the payout you deserve!
7. Consider Your Insurance Claim Options
Filing a claim may raise your rates. Therefore, you should only file a claim if the payout amount exceeds your deductible enough that it makes financial sense. A claim doesn’t necessarily mean your rates will increase, but it is possible, so you should take it into consideration.
8. Report Your Claim in a Timely Manner
Your policy likely outlines specific timelines for reporting damage. Often, storm damage must be reported within a year. However, the sooner it is filed, the easier it will be. Additionally, you should repair damage as quickly as possible to avoid any additional issues. Long-term water damage could lead to mold, so prompt action is key.
Choose All States Home Improvement for Your Home Repair
All States Home Improvement is a local, family-owned and operated contractor with a 4.8-star rating on Google and nearly 30 years of experience in the industry. We will provide the necessary documentation and evidence to get the most from your insurance protection.
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