Contact Your Insurance Company: The first thing that you need to do after sustaining property damage is to contact your insurance company and let them know that you have a claim. This is a priority as it is reasonable to assume that there will be many other people who also have sustained damage, and there may be a backlog of claims to be processed.
Take Photos of the Damage: Be certain to document all of the damage that was caused to your property by taking photos. It is advisable to take a number of photos from different angles in order to demonstrate the extent of the damage.
You may want to consult a San Antonio storm damage attorney in order to assist you with filing your claim. Often the insurance company may dispute your claim or try to underpay you for damages that you have sustained. Call our law offices at (855) 768-7674 and make an appointment to speak with one of our knowledgeable attorneys regarding your claim.
What are the Next Steps That I Should Take in Order to Collect Damages From My Insurance Company?
Make Temporary Repairs: You need to make any type of repair that is necessary in order to ensure that the damage does not become any worse. Some examples include boarding up broken windows, removing broken tree limbs, or putting a trap on a roof. Be certain to also take pictures of the damaged area after the repairs have been made.
Make an Itemized Written List of the Damages: This is essential so that you can stay organized and will save valuable time when it comes to filing your insurance claim.
Find all of Your Insurance Policies: Make certain to have all of your policies handy that cover your home, business, or property. You will need to have them in order to file your claim. If for some reason you cannot find a policy, then be sure to contact your insurance agent who can make a copy and send it to you.
Inspectors and Inspections: If you have sustained damage to your roof, only allow your insurance adjuster and/or your contractor to get up on the roof. If your roof is damaged or in a weakened state, more damage may occur every time someone walks on it.
What Happens After The Insurance Adjuster Has Inspected My Property Damage?
After the adjuster has inspected your property, they normally have 30 days in which to accept or reject your insurance claim. By law, they can and may ask for an extension on the time limit they have to respond.
If your claim is accepted your insurance company is obligated to pay the claim within 5 days. In order to make the process easier, if the insurance company asks for additional information, then be sure to provide that as soon as possible, as this could delay your payment.
Be certain to obtain a second opinion. Insurance adjusters will base their opinions based on maintaining a profit for their company. Frequently, the insurance company looks to save money by attempting to underpay you for the damages you have sustained. Therefore, it is wise to seek another opinion from a second impartial opinion from a licensed reputable contractor.
How Can A Storm Damage Attorney Help Me Collect For Damages Sustained From a Hailstorm?
Sadly, many insurance companies only consider their bottom line and what is best for the company. They may try to underpay you, or completely deny your claim. Hiring a knowledgeable attorney can help you potentially obtain the full and fair compensation for your property damage. Our attorneys understand that it can be an overwhelming experience to have to deal with significant property damage as well as insurance adjusters. Let us assist you by contacting our San Antonio law office by calling 877-890-6372 and make an appointment to speak with a member of our legal team. We look forward to serving you.
