The path to recovery can seem daunting after a tornado has uprooted your life. Understanding how to navigate tornado insurance claims effectively is crucial for rebuilding. This guide aims to arm you with the essentials to give you peace of mind and maximize your claim settlement.
Patience is Key: Rushing through tornado insurance claims can lead to oversights and undercompensation. Understand that achieving a complete and fair settlement takes time. Speed might bring immediate relief but could compromise the quality of your settlement. Speed is the enemy of a good claim.
To that point, please be aware that it’s not unusual after a tornado or hurricane for the insurance company to hire an engineer to come on-site to inspect for structural damages to the trusses, framing, door jambs, etc., and then issue a report. Based on the conclusions in that report, the adjuster will complete their estimate. While this will add some time to the process, it is the proper course of action in determining the value of the loss.
Wait for the Estimate before Hiring a Public Adjuster: This may sound funny, especially coming from a public adjusting company. However, before considering hiring anyone to assist you on the structural part of your claim (including us!), please wait for your insurance company to provide their estimate.
Most states in the South require, by law, that the carriers provide you a written estimate. It may take the adjuster a couple of weeks to produce one. Still, there’s no reason to pay anyone a percentage of what you will be offered. Hiring a Public Adjuster before you know what you will be offered will only cost you the money you need to rebuild your home. You should only engage a Public Adjuster once you know the insurers have made a deficient offer. This approach will ensure that you only pay for the “new” money added to our claim.
Proactive Steps to Take
- Document Everything: Photographs can speak volumes. Capture extensive visual evidence of the damage both inside and outside your property. You cannot take too many photos. Work your way through all the rooms of the house in an organized fashion. Take one picture just before you enter a room to identify where you are in the building or dwelling. Take a photo from all four corners of the room that captures the ceiling and the floor. If the tornado has strewn contents throughout your yard and neighborhood, do your best to photograph everything.
- Secure Your Policy in Writing: Request a complete digital copy of your insurance policy from your adjuster. This ensures you have the latest coverage information. Get the adjuster’s email address so you can write the request.
- Inventory Damaged Personal Property: List every item damaged beyond repair, no matter how small, and note the replacement cost at today’s prices. This detailed inventory is your responsibility and is critical for your claim. Suppose this task seems too daunting, as it often does. In that case, it may be worth speaking to an inventory specialist who is independent of your carrier’s recommendation. We have several who do this for us, and we’d be happy to discuss this service with you.
- Prevent Further Damage: Board up broken windows and doors and tarp any roof holes. Save receipts for these emergency repairs, as your insurance company will reimburse you for them. It is important to note that, in most cases, this money does not come from the same bucket as your dwelling coverage.
What to Avoid With Tornado Insurance Claims
- Beware of “Preferred” Contractors: These contractors often prioritize the insurance company’s interests over yours. They are “preferred” by the carriers for a reason. Choose someone independent of the insurance carrier and who will prioritize for your best outcome.
- Hold Off on Repairs: DO NOT start repairs before settling the structural claim. Period. Avoid letting contractors negotiate with the adjuster, as their motivations might not align with yours.
- Demand Adequate Housing: If your home is uninhabitable, your insurance will cover living expenses for a dwelling of similar size and quality. This also means they will pay the cost of rental furniture if needed. Don’t be shuffled off to something half the size of your dwelling, as it will only cause you stress and anxiety.
- Do Not Remove Evidence: Leave the damaged structure as is until the claim is fully settled. Any removal can be seen as tampering with evidence and could negatively impact your claim. If things need to be moved/removed, get written approval from the carrier beforehand.
Ensuring Accountability and Transparency
- Keep a Written Log: Document every interaction and critical event related to your claim. This log can be crucial for tracking progress and ensuring transparency. The adjuster is keeping a digital log, and you should, too.
- Communicate in Writing: Formalize requests and questions in writing to underscore the seriousness with which you approach the claim, as this can prompt more diligent responses. This cannot be emphasized enough.
- Be Truthful: Always answer questions honestly, especially if a recorded statement is requested. There’s no reason to fear giving a recorded statement. It’s a regular part of almost every claim; transparency is vital for a smooth claim process. Having said all that, it is less likely that you will be asked to give a recorded statement after a tornado than a fire.
- Review Your Policy Limits: Ask your insurance agent for an updated declarations page to understand the limits of your coverage, including structure, contents, and additional living expenses.
- Don’t Discard Items Prematurely: Complete the inventory and secure approval, in writing, from the insurance carrier before disposing of any damaged items. DO NOT throw anything away without written authorization from the adjuster, as they have the right to inspect all damage as often as they reasonably require.
Navigating tornado insurance claims requires patience, thorough documentation, and strategic communication. Following these guidelines can enhance your chances of a favorable settlement. Remember, support is available. Our team at Franklin Property Claims has assisted hundreds of people with their tornado claims, offering expert guidance when needed most. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation and take the first step towards recovery with confidence.