The cost of repairing or replacing your roof and windows after a hurricane, tornado, or hailstorm can add up quickly. If your home was damaged by hail, you should be able to turn to your insurance policy for financial compensation. These seven tips for dealing with the insurance adjuster on hail damage can help you effectively navigate the claim process.
The adjuster may look for ways to limit their financial liability. One of the best methods for dealing with the adjuster is by hiring a local law firm. A Boca Raton property damage lawyer in your area can help you file a complete and comprehensive claim. They can thoroughly examine your policy and identify ways to maximize your compensation.
1: Hire a Property Damage Lawyer to Take on the Insurance Company
Homeowners’ insurance typically covers your property, outbuildings, personal property, and loss of use of your property. Recovering compensation means filing a homeowners’ insurance claim—a step-by-step process that can be demanding and overwhelming.
When you hire a lawyer to handle your claim, they will:
- Read and review your policy
- Consult experts to validate your claim
- Negotiate a favorable settlement
Your lawyer will also describe each phase involved in filing your claim. They can focus on your financial recovery while you focus on taking care of yourself and your family.
Allow Your Lawyer to Handle Every Avenue of Communication
Adjusters work for the insurance company, not you. The lawyer who represents you works for you and with your best interests at heart. The adjuster’s role is to manage your claim and communicate with the insurance company.
You can generally expect the insurance adjuster to:
- Assess the amount of damage and its potential costs
- Inspect your home, focusing on the damaged areas
- Interview you, your family, and any available witnesses
- Request estimates from hail damage repair professionals
- Review the evidence you submit with your claim
The home insurance adjuster serves as your point of contact when it comes to your claim. A settlement amount may be made with you directly on behalf of the insurance company.
2. Provide Your Attorney With a Complete Copy of Your Insurance Policy
The lawyer who handles your case will need a comprehensive copy of your homeowners’ policy. According to Insurance Information Institute (III), this can include coverage for:
- The property’s structure
- Your personal property
- Temporary living expenses
Your policy will also describe the levels of coverage your policy provides, which can include actual cash value or replacement value. Every policy is different, so understanding yours requires a careful examination of the documents that define it.
3: Document Your Property Damage Thoroughly and in Great Detail
According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data, hail can range in diameter from pea-sized to grapefruit-sized and have low to extreme level impact. Document the damage to your property with photos of the following:
- The hail, if possible
- The property before
- The property after
- Loose shingles
- Broken windows
- Vehicle damage
A lawyer can help you create a detailed assessment of your damage, which can help you avoid having your claim undervalued or underpaid.
4. Take Steps to Limit Ongoing Damage to Your Property
Damage from hail driving into your property is unavoidable. You can and should take steps to prevent further damage as long as it is safe to do so. If possible:
- Board up any damages or destroyed windows
- Clean up any glass that poses a hazard
- Remove any water that might cause mold
- Put a tarp any roof damage, only if you can do so safely
- Remove any loose or dangling siding
- Sweep up any potentially hazardous debris
Retain any receipts for any materials you purchase to make these repairs but avoid hiring costly home repair professionals until after the adjuster’s inspection. In addition, your insurance company may have preferred contractors. Examine your policy for this information.
5. Know What to Expect From the Settlement Negotiation Process
Recovering compensation from hail damage can be a long, multi-step process. After an initial inspection of your property and assessment of your damages, you can generally expect:
- The insurance company will make a monetary offer
- You make a counteroffer for the value you believe is fair
- Negotiations can involve multiple back-and-forth phases
- Once a settlement is agreed upon, the insurer makes payment
If you are struggling to recover damages from your insurer, or having a difficult time dealing with the adjuster, consider getting legal representation. A lawyer can represent you from start to finish, and fight for the maximum compensation of your policy.
6. Review State Laws and Homeowners’ Rights
State laws may list your rights and your obligations, and they also typically describe the actions your insurer must take and the time the insurer has to acknowledge, investigate, and assess your claim. These laws and bills also describe how and when the insurer must correspond with you about your claim.
Filing an insurance claim comes with rights and responsibilities for both parties. Understanding yours can help you navigate the claim process.
7: Avoid Making Social Media Posting or Accepting Unknown Friend Requests
While it can be a seemingly innocent method of fun and communication, social media channels can also be used against you by insurers. Your social media posts could contain information that could potentially harm your claims, including:
- Damage to your home that could be deemed as pre-existing
- Evidence that you did not take post-storm precautions
- Statements made in a post or reply that could be misconstrued
In addition to avoiding posts about your property damage, you should also avoid accepting unfamiliar friend requests.
Get Help Filing Your Hail Damage Insurance Claim
Pounding hail can damage your property in multiple ways and necessitates filing a claim for needed repairs or restoration. Our seven tips for dealing with your insurance adjuster on hail damage can help you get the compensation you need.
At Ged Lawyers, our property damage attorney can deal with the adjuster. Contact our consultation team today to learn more about working with our client-focused team.
