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Can I get a general feel for the various carrier's requirements when submitting hurricane damage claims (before I go packing my house up for the summer? LOL)
My policy is renters insurance and I'm having trouble getting a clear answer from the broker. What is the procedure in getting reimbursed on contents?
I have receipts for everything I've purchased "down here" this year. I understand the policy regarding limits on items not protected with a rider (that's fine).
1. I haven't taken any photos of anything. Is this typically required? Is it case by case basis? I know they like people to do that. or have a computer users guide or something but is it that IFFY? Doesnt make sense to me you could just get a bunch of stuff from friends for fraud....
2. If I have a policy, say that has replacement value (and other stuff) up to say, $100.00 do they hand me a check for the full amount or do we have to go through the house item by item with an adjuster etc and argue over the thing and maybe I only get $40.00 instead. How does that work?
3. My receipts in part, have detailed descriptions, i.e. sofa. Others, no, like it says on TJMAXX "housewares". Some don't even say that, as you know. What's the deal on that?
Walk through your house with a video camera and video everything as a record, including the walls, windows, bathrooms, all rooms, etc. Make sure you get photos of valuables.
When we went through Andrew, the inspector looked at the photos and looked at the house and pretty much wrote a check. Things have changed now as Insurance companies have taken a few hits to their pockets. We didn't have to haggle or anything. But I know friends of my parents that had to haggle and didn't get paid what they wanted. It depends a lot on the inspector and your insurance company and of course your policy. I would highly recommend taking pictures each hurricane season.
Your agent will probably not know too much about the claims process since they are usually hands off that part. I would talk to someone from your company's claims department and ask them their requirements.
If you have "replacement cost" then that is what you will get. If it cost 100 you will get 100. Again ask your company what they use as "proof." Knock on wood, but you will probably not have to worry about this because you will have at least remnants of all your belongings after a hurricane and the adjuster will just take note of all the damaged items that they see.
Lilybeans had a great idea to video everything. Won't hurt anything but hopefully it won't get damaged with everything else.
Walk through your house with a video camera and video everything as a record, including the walls, windows, bathrooms, all rooms, etc. Make sure you get photos of valuables.
We used the video camera during Ivan (no damages), also talk to your insurance agent and ask all the question to satisfy your need. Get the information now, asking after the hurricane is a bit late....
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