Tips to get the most from your insurance claims after tornadoes, severe weather this spring
For many, it's a long process to make sure insurance will cover the damage. Public adjuster Ron Snouffer has shared his tips on how to get the most out of insurance claims following severe weather in Kentuckiana. These include understanding what is covered and how much your deductible is, having an emergency fund for repairs when they don't meet the deductible, and having receipts for repair work. Snouff also recommends looking for ALE, additional living expenses, which covers hotel costs and sometimes meals, but requires receipts. Most public adjusters will review your claim free of charge to help determine if you need to hire them or if there's a solution you can solve on your own.
Diterbitkan : 10 bulan yang lalu oleh Monica Harkins di dalam Weather
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentuckiana families are still struggling to clean up after a busy spring with severe weather.
For many, it's a long process to file with insurance companies.
Ron Snouffer is a public adjuster and helps people get more money from their insurance claims.
"I think the biggest thing is understanding their policy,' he said. "Most property owners never read their policy."
That includes understanding what is covered and how much your deductible is before a storm. Ideally, you'd have an emergency fund that can cover the repairs when they don't meet the deductible.
As for documentation, he suggests submitting as much as possible from before the damages and after. This means if you don't already have recent videos and pictures of your property, you should.
"They should walk around their property videotaping anything that they have at the property, outside, inside contents, all that documentation comes into play," Snouffer said.
He also says to look for ALE, additional living expenses, coverage in your policy. That covers things like hotel costs and sometimes meals, but you'll need to show your receipts.
"Most policies do have what's called additional living expenses, which will cover that but it will be reimbursed after you've spent the money," Snouffer said.
And don't waste any time to make a claim and get the repairs done, even if your claim is below your deductible.
"Most property owners never make those repairs because they think that they didn't have any damage because they didn't get a check," he said.
Save the receipts for that repair work too. That way if another storm rolls through you can prove you have already paid a certain amount towards your deductible.
Kentucky and Indiana both have two year statute of limitations.
"It does get emotional," Snouffer said. "And when it does get emotional, you need to get advice because generally when you get emotional, you make bad decisions."
Snouffer said most public adjusters will look at your claim free of charge to help you determine if you need to hire them for help or if there's a solution you can solve on your own.
Topik: Tornadoes