By Tobie Stanger: Consumer Reports
Follow these tips to make sure you’re compensated correctly:
The wildfires in California have destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses. It’s a catastrophe that could happen anywhere, but if you have a homeowners insurance policy, which covers all kinds of fires, including wildfires, you’ll be covered.
The road to recovery, however, won’t start until you get in touch with your insurer or the agent who sold you the homeowners insurance so you can make a claim.
The insurance company will then assign an adjuster, who will assess the damage and submit an estimate for review by the insurance company.
The amount you’re paid will depend on the kind of coverage you have. While “replacement cost” coverage should cover the cost of repairing or replacing your home and any lost or damaged items, “actual cash value” coverage will pay you the value of your home and the damaged items inside, less depreciation.
Document all losses. After the fire, take plenty of photos of the damage and make a list of items that were destroyed or are in need of repair. Include the amount you paid for the items and gather any receipts you can find. “The more of that you can do before the adjuster arrives, the faster the process will go,” says Jeanne Salvatore, a spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute, which represents the property and casualty insurance industry.
Verify the adjuster’s identity. After natural disasters there can sometimes be scammers trying to make money off your misfortune. To reduce the chance of being scammed, ask the insurance company for the adjuster’s name before he or she arrives, and then ask for identification before letting the person into your home.
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Show the adjuster all the damage. Make sure that you are home when the adjuster visits and that he or she gets a complete view of everything that was lost or damaged. It’s not enough just to walk through part of your home.
Document all contact with the insurance company. After the adjuster leaves, remain in contact by email so you have backup of all your communication. Keep notes about when an adjuster visits as well as any missed appointments, unreturned phone calls, what you discussed, and even if he or she was rude. While you probably won’t need this information, it will be useful if any disagreements have to be resolved in court.
Make copies of all documents. Copy everything you give to the adjuster, such as your list of property lost or damaged. If the adjuster advises you to start repairs, get that permission in writing, advises Steve Mostyn, an attorney in Houston who represents consumers against insurers.
Mostyn says that in an emergency situation, the first adjuster may be replaced by a new one during the claims process, so having correspondence in writing could be helpful to you. “There’s often not a good hand-off of information when the next adjuster comes in,” he explains.
Get additional estimates if necessary. If you have custom work in your house, an adjuster may not know how to properly estimate the value. Get an outside estimate from a contractor.
Discuss any exclusion or limits in your policy. If your insurer maintains that your policy doesn’t cover all the damages or if you think the compensation is too low, ask the carrier’s representative to explain in writing how he or she got to the estimate. The rep should also include any reasons for why certain items aren’t covered and whether there are any coverage limits.
If you feel the wording in the policy is misleading, contact a local plaintiff’s attorney who specializes in insurance law. The Consumer Federation of America notes that courts have consistently ruled in favor of policyholders on policy ambiguities. File a complaint with your state’s department of insurance.
Consider Hiring a Public Adjuster
If you have a very large claim, you may want to turn to a public adjuster, an independent adjuster who works on your behalf and represents you on the claim. But be aware of fees. In some states a public adjuster’s fees are capped, typically at 10 to 12 percent of the insurance payout. In other states there are either no caps or adjusters simply charge a flat fee.
To find a public adjuster, check with the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. When you reach the adjuster, ask for references from past clients and look to see whether he or she has several years of experience and a state license where required.
In the five states where no licensing is required—Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Wisconsin—contact an attorney who works with catastrophe victims to help you find a reputable adjuster, suggests Diane Swerling, vice president at Swerling Milton Winnick Public Insurance Adjusters in Wellesley, Mass.
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