Top 12 Insurance Claim Tips –and keep your frustration down
1. Be pro-active in the claim process. File the claim as soon as the damage occurs. Do not delay a minute.
2. You’re not on a level playing field when you’re dealing with an insurance claim.
3. Think of your insurance claim as a business negotiation—you’re dealing with a for-profit company.
4. Give your insurance company a chance to do the right thing, but don’t mistake a friendly representative for a friend.
5. Document and support your claim with proof, details and estimates.
6. Present clear requests in writing that explain what you need, when you need it, and why you’re entitled to it.
7. Don’t pad or exaggerate your claim. The insurer can accuse you of insurance fraud and deny the claim - this is critical to remember.
8. Don’t sign legal documents without consulting with a qualified attorney.
9. Try to resolve problems informally but complain in writing, go up the chain of command and/or use government agency help when necessary.
10. Get specialized professional help when you need it, start in the “Find Help” section of www.uphelp.org.
11. Do not rely on the insurer’s expert report, as it represents a biased investigation; that expert is not on your side. If you disagree with the expert report findings, hire your own expert – this is crucial.
12. Do not get frustrated with thje investigation process – it happens with almost all claims. Keep calm and be patient.
Key Flood Insurance Claim Tips:
· Focus on completely inventorying and valuing all damage and costs to repair or replace your property, regardless of your insurance situation.
· Keep a diary of conversations with insurance, repair, government and other professionals.
· Flood policies have different rules than home policies.
· If you did not have flood insurance, there may still be Sandy damage that should be covered under your home policy, depending on how it is written. Examples could be wind-driven rain, sewage backup due to electrical failure of a pump or other device, other damage due to power outages or surges.
· Give your home and/or flood insurer a chance to do the right thing, but advocate for yourself and get help from the NJ DOI and/or experienced professionals if you feel you’re not being treated fairly.
· If a home or flood insurance adjuster says damage isn’t covered, but you feel it should be, get an independent professional opinion before giving up on getting some or all of your claim paid.
Metropolitan Engineering, Consulting & Forensics (MECF)
Providing Competent, Expert and Objective Investigative Engineering and Consulting Services
Closter, NJ 07624
Tenafly, NJ 07670
Tel.: (772) 245-0441
Tel.: (201) 293-6064
Tel.: (201) 500-5068 E-mail: metroforensics@gmail.com
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