After experiencing hail damage, you may be required to work with an insurance adjuster in order to receive compensation. An insurance adjuster can make or break your claim, so it’s important to know how to work with them effectively. Read on for 10 tips that will help you get through the process as smoothly as possible.
1) Don’t take it personally
It’s important to remember that the insurance adjuster is not your enemy. They’re just doing their job, which is to save the insurance company money. The goal of an insurance adjuster isn’t always about making you happy and getting you back into your home as quickly as possible; it’s about cutting costs for the insurer by negotiating with contractors, vendors and other suppliers on your behalf.
2) Do your research
It’s important to do your research before you meet with an insurance adjuster. You should know what your policy covers and what the damages are worth. You should also have a good idea of what it will cost to repair the damage. This will help you negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company.
3) Don’t be afraid to ask questions
It’s important that you understand the insurance claims process and what to expect from your insurance adjuster. They are there to help, but you may not get a straight answer when they don’t know the answer themselves. Questions like What can I do now? or Is my car covered? are a good way to start conversation with them, as well as trying to remember any information they might need such as photos of before and after damages or receipts for items lost in the storm. Remember, this is their job so it’s important that they can finish it properly!
4) Get multiple quotes
When it comes to getting your hail damage repaired, you want to make sure you’re getting the best possible price. That’s why it’s important to get multiple quotes from different contractors. Plus, if one of them is way more expensive than the others and doesn’t seem worth it, you can tell them no and keep looking. They won’t be offended because they know that this is a competitive market. In order to find out who has good prices on hail repair services in your area, ask friends or neighbors what companies they use and which ones are most affordable.
5) Communicate with your agent
Your insurance agent is your best advocate when it comes to working with your insurance company. Be sure to keep them in the loop and don’t hesitate to ask for help or advice. In fact, they are obligated by law to represent you! Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything that you don’t understand. It’s important that you know what’s going on throughout the process so that you can be satisfied with the outcome of your claim. Give feedback: Even if you feel like things are going well, always give feedback about every interaction or phone call that you have had with your adjuster and any other contact from your insurance company.
6) Document everything on social media
– Take pictures or videos of the damage as soon as possible after the hail storm.
– Make a list of all the damaged items, including a description of the damage.
– Contact your insurance company to start the claims process.
– Be prepared to provide your insurance policy number, the date of the hail storm, and other relevant information.
– The insurance adjuster will likely contact you to schedule an appointment to inspect the damage.
– Be honest and cooperative when talking to the adjuster and provide any requested documentation.
7) Anticipate Negotiations
It’s important to remember that the insurance adjuster works for the insurance company, not you. They are looking out for the best interests of the insurance company, not you. So, it’s important to be prepared to negotiate with the adjuster. That doesn’t mean making a hard line and refusing any offers made by the adjuster. Negotiating is just about being knowledgeable and understanding what your expectations are when dealing with an insurance adjuster after hail damage.
8) Wait until the end before hiring contractors
It’s important to wait until the insurance adjuster has had a chance to assess the damage before hiring contractors. This way, you’ll have a better idea of the scope of work that needs to be done and how much it will cost. Plus, the adjuster may be able to recommend some reputable contractors.
9) Keep records of everything you spend, even if it isn’t related to hail damage repair
If you live in an area that’s prone to hail storms, it’s a good idea to keep records of everything you spend related to hail damage repair, even if the damage isn’t extensive. This will help you document the extent of the damage and make it easier to get reimbursed by your insurance company.
10) Seek Legal Counsel
After sustaining hail damage, it is important to seek legal counsel before working with an insurance adjuster. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your damages. If the adjuster denies coverage, the lawyer will be able to file a lawsuit on your behalf. Additionally, if there was property damage caused by the hailstorm and you were not home at the time of the storm, but have a renter’s or homeowner’s policy in place, then you may be entitled to coverage from those policies as well.