We have filed several claims for our insured’s this week as a result of the recent harsh winter weather. Most have been from Ice Dams from the ice and snow. As the claims are filed, home repairs will no doubt need to be done as result of water seeping back into homes. A fellow insurance agent – friend of mine offered up these tips to help his customers make sure they are getting the right people for the repairs of their home.
They bear repeating to my readers as well:
1. Please be careful choosing contractors. Many are great, but there are some opportunists and scammers running around.
2. DO NOT PREPAY FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL. Only make an exception to this if you know and trust the contractor.
3. Take pictures!!! Digital shots on your phone or camera are cheap so take as many as possible.
4. Stop the bleeding! Don’t hesitate to make any immediate repairs to prevent further damage. Insurance companies want you to do this (an adjuster doesn’t have to see it first).
5. Be patient. It’s a virtue after all. Waiting for a good contractor with recommendations will prevent aggravation later.
6. Ask for Certificates of Insurance from those you hire! If a roofer is climbing up on your roof or a tree surgeon is cutting a tree down next to your house, call their agent to make sure coverage is in force. Don’t take chances!
2. DO NOT PREPAY FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL. Only make an exception to this if you know and trust the contractor.
3. Take pictures!!! Digital shots on your phone or camera are cheap so take as many as possible.
4. Stop the bleeding! Don’t hesitate to make any immediate repairs to prevent further damage. Insurance companies want you to do this (an adjuster doesn’t have to see it first).
5. Be patient. It’s a virtue after all. Waiting for a good contractor with recommendations will prevent aggravation later.
6. Ask for Certificates of Insurance from those you hire! If a roofer is climbing up on your roof or a tree surgeon is cutting a tree down next to your house, call their agent to make sure coverage is in force. Don’t take chances!
These are great tips and worthy of noting them for later! Tomorrow, a bonus post from the Tennessee Department of Insurance that warns against price gouging. Look for it!
As always, we are here and ready to assist you with your claims or questions. We’ve been very busy this week but we’re not too busy to help you or others if you need us. Feel free to EMAIL us at info@BentonWhite.com or call any of our staff at 615.377.1212. We’re in this business to make claim filings easy. So far this week, we seem to have accomplished this!
