What To Do After A Disaster - De Kinsey

No one knows when disaster is going to strike. I love AllState’s Mayhem commercials that show a man named Mayhem causing mayhem in people’s lives.  Honestly… sometimes that is how it happens.  The important thing is to be prepared for when mayhem does strike, be it a fire, theft, earthquake or so forth.  We have compiled a list of things to do if Mayhem does strike. 

Enjoy:

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1.    Take PICTURES!!!!!!  

You will need to take pictures of the damage that was caused.  Hopefully you have been following our 52 week program and have already taken pictures of your home before the damage to show the difference between the two.  

2.      Make temporary repairs.  

Make temporary repairs to prevent further weather related damage. So… cover holes in the roof, walls, doors and windows with plastic or boards. Be careful not to risk your own safety in making the repairs. 

• Be sure to save any receipts for the material you buy to make the temporary repairs. Your insurance company will reimburse you for the cost.
• Beware of building contractors that encourage you to spend a lot of money on temporary repairs. Remember that payments for temporary repairs are part of the total settlement. If you pay a contractor a large sum for a temporary repair job, you may not have enough money for permanent repairs.
• Remember: Don't make extensive permanent repairs until after the claims adjuster has been to your home and assessed the damage. 
• Avoid using electrical appliances, including stereos and television sets, that have been exposed to water unless they've been checked by a technician. 

3.      Call your insurance agent or insurance company to report the damage. 

Questions to ask Insurance Company/Agent:

• Am I covered? 
• Does my claim exceed my deductible? (Your deductible is the amount of loss you agree to pay yourself when you buy a policy.) 
• How long will it take to process my claim? 
• Will I need to obtain estimates for repairs to structural damage? 

4.      Save receipts!!! 

Save all the receipts you have accumulated for additional living expenses. Most homeowner’s policies cover additional living expenses such as food and housing costs, telephone or utility installation costs in a temporary residence, extra transportation costs to and from work or school, relocation and storage expenses and furniture rental for a temporary residence. Most of the time your insurance company will advance you money for these expenses. The payments will be part of the final claim settlement. Make sure you let your insurance company know where you can be reached so that the claims adjuster can give you a check.

• The maximum amount available to pay for such living expenses generally is equal to 20 percent of the insurance on your home. So on a home insured for $100,000, up to $20,000 would be available. This amount is in addition to the $100,000 to pay for repairs or to rebuild your home. Some insurance companies will pay more than 20 percent. Others limit additional living expenses to the amount actually spent during a certain period of time, such as 12 months, instead of a maximum percentage of the policy limit.
  

5.      Prepare for the adjuster's visit.

Your claims process may begin in one of two ways. 

• Your insurance company may send you a claim form, known as a "proof of loss form," to complete.  –or-
•  An adjuster may visit your home first, before you're asked to fill out any forms. (An adjuster is a person professionally trained to assess the damage.) Usually, the more information you have about your damaged home and belongings the faster your claim can be settled.  Thus 52 Weeks helps again!!!  

1.  Major disasters make enormous demands on insurance company personnel. Your adjuster generally will come prepared to do a thorough and complete study of the damage to your home. However, large number of claims may place time restrictions on adjusters forcing them to "scope the loss." If your adjuster doesn't make a complete evaluation of the loss on the first visit, set up an appointment for a second visit.
2. Be sure to keep copies of lists and other documents you submit to your insurance company. Also keep copies of whatever paperwork your insurance company gives you.

• While you are waiting for the documents from your insurance company or adjuster to visit your home: 
  

1. Make a list of the damaged items.

1.      Include the brand names and model numbers of appliances and electronic equipment.  Don't forget to list items such as clothing, sports equipment, tools, china, linens, outside furniture, holiday decorations and hobby materials.

2.      Use your 52 Weeks home inventory or put together a set of records - old receipts, bills and photographs - to help establish the price and age of everything that needs to be replaced or repaired.

3.      If your property was destroyed or you no longer have any records, you will have to work from memory.  Try to picture the contents of every room and then write a description of what was there. Try also to remember where and when you bought each piece and about how much you paid.

4.      Don't throw out damaged furniture and other expensive items because the adjuster will want to see them. 

2.  Structure of Your Home.

1.      Identify the structural damage to your home and other buildings on your premises, like a garage, tool shed or in-ground swimming pool. 
Make a list of everything you would like to show the adjuster when he or she arrives. This should include cracks in the walls, damage to the floor or ceiling and missing roof tiles. If structural damage is likely even though you can't see any signs of it, discuss this with your adjuster. In some cases, the adjuster may recommend hiring a licensed engineer or architect to inspect the property.

2.      Have the electrical system checked. Most insurance companies pay for such inspections. 

3.      Get written bids from reliable, licensed contractors on the repair work. The bids should include details of the materials to be used and prices on a line-by-line basis.  

We hope this information was helpful and we hope that you never have to use it!  No one likes mayhem!