It’s no secret that insurance companies are in the business of making money. What may be a surprise to some homeowners, however, is that they can actually help reduce the cost of their claim by not sharing too much information or saying something to negatively affect the outcome during the process. In most cases, insurance adjusters are more than happy to work with you and investigate your claim; but divulging too much information or saying the wrong thing can actually do more harm than good.
What to Expect From Your Property Claims Adjuster Meeting
When you’re meeting with your property insurance adjuster, hopefully, you will have already read through some adjuster reviews to understand what to expect. On the day of the appointment, be prepared to answer questions about the claim and the damages. The adjuster will likely take pictures or videos of the damages and ask you questions about what happened when it happened, and how much damage there is.
You should also be prepared to provide documentation about the damages, such as repair estimates, receipts, or pictures. The more documentation you can provide, the better chance you have of getting a fair settlement.
The adjuster will also want to know if there are any other potential sources of damage, such as a leaking pipe or faulty electrical wiring. Be sure to disclose any and all potential sources of damage so that the adjuster can investigate them as well. The adjuster may also ask you about your insurance coverage and limits. Be sure to know your coverage limits so that you can accurately answer the adjuster’s questions.
After the meeting, the adjuster will likely prepare a report of their findings and submit it to the insurance company. The insurance company will then make a decision on how much to pay for the damages. The insurance company may also ask for additional documentation or information before making a decision.
Once the insurance company has made a decision, the adjuster will contact you to let you know how much the insurance company is willing to pay. If you are not satisfied with the amount, you can negotiate with the insurance company or file a claim with your state’s department of insurance.
Things You Should Not Do When Speaking with the Insurance Company
There are a few key things you should avoid doing when you’re talking to your insurance company about your property claim. Much of this involves saying too much or saying the wrong things. Here are a few key reasons why talking too much can negatively affect your property claim process.
You May inadvertently Admit Fault
In many cases, homeowners are not aware that they may be held partially or fully responsible for damages sustained to their home or homes. For example, if your roof is damaged in a storm and you tell the insurance adjuster that you didn’t have it inspected before the policy was purchased, the insurer may be able to deny your claim or only cover a portion of the damages. In some instances, simply admitting that you were unaware of a potential problem with your home can be used against you during the claims process.
You May Say Something That Is Inconsistent With Your Policy
When filing a claim, it’s important to review your policy thoroughly so you understand what is and is not covered. Oftentimes, homeowners will say something during the claims process that contradicts their policy, which can be used to the advantage of the insurance company. For example, if you have a water damage claim and tell the adjuster that the damage was caused by a burst pipe, but your policy only covers water damage from weather-related events, the insurer may deny your claim.
You May Disclose Too Much Information
It’s important to be open and honest when speaking with your insurance adjuster, but you should also be mindful of how much information you’re sharing. In some cases, homeowners might say too much about the damages sustained or the repairs that need to be made, which can negatively affect the outcome of the claims process. For example, if you tell the adjuster that there is water damage in your basement and you need to have the walls replaced, the insurance company may only approve a portion of the repairs.
You May Make an Assumption About the Claims Process
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make during the claims process is assuming that their claims will be handled in a certain way. In many cases, homeowners will assume that their claim will be paid out in full or that their repairs will be covered when, in reality, this may not be the case. It’s important to remember that every claim is different, and the outcome will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of the damages, the type of coverage you have, and the specifics of your policy.
You Might Say Something to Insult the Claims Adjuster
We should not forget that claims adjusters are humans, too. And like all of us, they can be offended by certain comments. If you say something that is deemed to be offensive or rude, the adjuster may take it personally and it would be very difficult to remedy this. Ultimately, this could change the outcome of your claim in a significantly negative way.
Never Tell the Insurance Adjuster What They Should Be Doing
Throughout the claims process, you will be working closely with your insurance adjuster to ensure that your claim is being handled properly. However, it’s important to remember that the adjuster is the one in charge of processing your claim and they know what needs to be done. Telling the adjuster how to do their job will only serve to frustrate and annoy them, which will generally negatively affect your claim experience.
The bottom line is that you should be careful about what you say to your insurance adjuster during the claims process. You can always rate your adjuster after the meeting if things don’t go as planned. But during the meeting, just remember that anything you say can and will be used against you, so it’s important to be mindful of how much information you’re sharing.
What Information Should You Provide?
When it comes to speaking with the insurance company or the claims adjuster, always stick to the facts. Give them a clear and concise explanation of what happened and avoid giving your opinion or making assumptions about the situation. The claims adjuster wants to know the date of loss, the source of loss, whether the source was corrected already, and what type of damage came from the loss.
It is also important to be honest about the extent of the damages and the repairs that need to be made but as mentioned above, do not go overboard with the details. It is not storytime! Saying too much may raise red flags about how honest you are being. If you’re not sure about something, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and don’t say anything, or simply ask the claims adjuster questions.
The claim process is generally a personality-driver process, as you might have deduced from some adjuster ratings that you may have read. If you insult or upset the claims adjuster in any way, then you don’t have to wonder how the claim process may work out for you. It’s likely going to be bad.
What to Understand About the Claims Process
If you’re filing a property insurance claim, it’s important to be mindful of what you say and do during the process. Remember, anything you say can and likely will be used to positively or negatively affect your property claim result, so it’s important to be careful about any sort of information you share.
Think about the last time you read your property insurance policy. Likely, you have never read your policy, or you have read it so long ago that you may not remember many of the details, so it’s a good idea to read or re-read the policy before diving into the claims process.
Also keep in mind that during your field adjuster walk-through, this will not be the first claim that this person has processed, and field adjusters can usually smell an embellished or phony claim a mile away. There is no need to point out damages that are unrelated to the claim because that is not what your claims adjust is there for, and their lie-o-meter may sound like they believe you are spewing a bunch of lies about damages.
The best advice would be for you to just cease talking and let the adjuster do his or her job. If you are asked questions, you can do your best to try to answer them. That said, if you’re not sure, then absolutely don’t guess for the right answer. Remember, it’s all about the facts, and any gray areas will not help your cause. The adjuster just wants to get the appropriate documentation and measurements and get to the next appointment. So keep the meeting or phone call business-related and deliver the facts. While the adjuster might be nice, you can rest assured that they are not there to make friends. And don’t do anything that might turn your adjuster into your enemy.
Benefits of Hiring a Licensed Restoration Contractor
Before you receive a written estimate, or what is called a scoping report, from your insurance company’s adjuster, it is important to know that you have the option of hiring your own contractor to provide an estimate for the repairs. You are not required to use the insurance company’s recommended contractor, and in many cases, it may be beneficial for you to hire your own.
A good contractor will be able to provide you with a more accurate estimate of the repairs needed and can also negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company to make sure you are getting the coverage you are entitled to. A good contractor will also be familiar with the claims process and will be able to help you navigate through the process and provide guidance on what they believe needs to be repaired. This way, when you receive your adjuster’s estimate, you will know if it is accurate or not.
It is important to also keep in mind that the insurance company’s preferred restoration contractor works for the insurance company. While estimates and recommendations will be accurate, they may not be fully comprehensive, and this would only benefit the insurance company. It is highly recommended to align yourself with an independent restoration contractor because this licensed individual will be the one working for you.
By following these tips, you can avoid making common mistakes during the homeowners’ insurance claims process and increase your chances of having a successful claim. And before you forget what transpired during your appointment, don’t forget to take good notes and review your adjuster as this will help others during their process.