Even minor fires can lead to significant property damage. The flames can easily destroy your possessions and the smoke the fire creates can seep into your furniture, clothes, walls, and more. Your property insurance should help you cover the cost of any necessary repairs or replacements you need to take care of after the fire. But if you’ve never filed a claim before, you may not know what to expect. Your trusted Michigan property insurance claim attorney explains what you’ll need to do to get the money you need from your insurance company.
Contact Your Insurance Company as Soon as Possible
Contact your insurance agent or the insurance company’s claims hotline as soon as you’re able to. Your agent or the representative will collect some information about what happened, your home, your concerns, and other factors as they submit your claim. Once they submit the claim, it may be a few days before you can move on to the next step.
Take Notes as You Go
It pays to have as much information as you can during the claims process. Take notes as you go. Write down the dates and times that you called the insurance company and who you spoke with each time. Try to document what the representative said so you have a general timeline of your claim.
If you find anything confusing during those conversations, be sure to ask questions and write down the answers. This will help you as the claim moves further along the process.
Create an Inventory of What’s in Your Home
Insurance companies almost universally want to offer the lowest settlement possible. That’s why it’s essential to create a detailed inventory of the items in your home. Take pictures of the damage and document how much each item was worth. If you have the original receipts from your purchase, provide those to the insurance company so they can track how much you lost.
Work With the Insurance Adjuster
Your insurance provider will send an adjuster out to assess the damage. They’ll use this information to come up with a fair settlement amount. Try to be at the appointment if you can. This will give you a chance to point out damage that the insurance adjuster might not notice.
The more damage they identify, the better your chances are of getting a fair and adequate settlement right off the bat.
Wait for Your Settlement
After the insurance adjuster visits your property, your insurance company will issue you a settlement offer. Take your time to review that offer in detail. Consider whether the payout will be enough to cover the cost of any repairs or replacements you need to make. If the offer is too low or you’re not happy with what the insurance company decided, you’ll want to speak with a Michigan property insurance claim attorney.
Contest The Settlement If Needed
If the settlement is too low, you’re not required to accept it. You can appeal and request that the insurance provider review their decision based on estimates you’ve received from contractors or other evidence you submit to showcase the severity of the damage.
While you’re free to contest the settlement on your own, it’s best to work with an experienced Michigan property insurance claim attorney. They’ll help you get what you’re owed so you can focus on getting your property back in shape.
Fabian, Sklar, King & Liss Can Help
If you’re concerned about your property insurance claim or the settlement you received was too low, let the team at Fabian, Sklar, King & Liss help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.