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CATASTROPHIC CLAIMS

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A CATASTROPHIC CLAIM

Make only those repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your home or business. This would include covering breaks in a roof, wall or windows with plywood, canvas or other waterproof material. Do not have permanent repairs made without first consulting BM&B or your insurance company. Unauthorized repairs may not be reimbursed.
BM&B or your insurance company representative will send an insurance adjuster to appraise your damage. Following a catastrophe, insurance companies schedule adjusters so the most serious losses get priority treatment. There are a great number of policyholders needing help. We appreciate your patience.
Keep all receipts for expenditures made for emergency repairs or to estimate the extent of damage and for temporary living expenses.
As soon as you can, prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property for the adjuster. Be sure to keep a copy. BM&B can help you. Your list should be as complete as you can make it and should include: a description of the item (and quantity, if more than one); date of purchase or approximate age; cost at time of purchase; and estimated replacement cost today. Include as much information as is available.
You may need to contact your bank or other sources for canceled checks, invoices or other papers that will assist the adjuster in determining the value of the destroyed property.
Meet with your insurance company adjuster before deciding to sign anything with a lawyer, contractor or public adjuster.
If you feel it is necessary, secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs or for rebuilding from a reliable contractor and give it to the adjuster when he/she arrives. The estimate should contain: detailed specifications of the proposed repairs and detailed repair cost prices and replacement prices.
Take photos of damaged areas. These will help you and us with the presentation of your claim and will assist the adjuster in the investigation of your claim.
Even if home, business or vehicle is a “total loss,” do not get rid of remnants until after they have been viewed by an adjuster.
Your mortgage company will probably require inspections of the repairs through the completion of the repairs and may require repair funds be escrowed.
If your car has been damaged by water, let it dry out. Do not attempt to start or operate it until it is thoroughly dried and we recommend you have a mechanic look at it before starting.
Wooden furniture should be cleaned as quickly as possible. Avoid rubbing abrasives such as ash, plaster or wallboard particles that have fallen on furniture.
Your dry cleaning establishment can help you evaluate the cleaning or restoration costs for clothing, furs and drapes.
Metal objects, including guns, drapery rods and electric motors in home appliances should be dried and rubbed or sprayed with oil to prevent corrosion. Radios, televisions and other electronic systems should also be dried out, but not oiled.
Bedding and upholstered furniture must be dried immediately if saturated with water. Vacuuming will remove some of the odor and grit left by smoke damage, but these items should be separated from other possessions since they may affect nearby items.

NOTICE: Bowen, Miclette & Britt is not licensed as an insurance agent in all states and cannot solicit or sell insurance where it does not have a license. Access to our web site does not guarantee that we can provide insurance coverage without the proper agency license.