Insurance Claims After A Disaster

After a disaster, act quickly to file your insurance claim. Follow these steps:

1. Ensure safety

• Keep yourself and your family safe. Check if your home is safe.

• Follow local evacuation and safety rules.

2. Document the Damage

• Take photos or videos of the damage when it is safe. Show home, belongings, and property damage.

• List damaged items with details, purchase dates, and values.

3. Prevent Further Damage

• If safe, cover broken windows or leaks. Don’t make permanent repairs yet.

• Save receipts for temporary repairs; your insurance may reimburse you.

4. Review Your Insurance Policy

• Check what your policy covers, including deductibles and limits.

• Understand which damages are covered and collect any necessary documents.

5. File the claim

• Contact your insurance company right away to report the damage.

• Share initial damage details. You’ll get a claim number and an adjuster.

6. Prepare for the adjuster's visit

• Gather documents such as your inventory, repair receipts, and disaster photos.

• Show the adjuster the damage and provide supporting documents.

7. Keep detailed records.

• Record all talks with your insurance, including dates and names.

• Track the costs of temporary repairs and extra living expenses.

8. Follow Up

• Verify that the claim progresses with your insurance provider frequently.

• Offer essential details promptly.

9. Consider professional advice.

• If the process is hard or the offer seems unfair, consider hiring a public adjuster or an attorney. For more information, see Finding and Hiring a Lawyer. 

These steps can help speed up your claim and recover after a disaster.

Accurate records of property damage are essential for successful insurance claims. Proper documentation speeds up the process and boosts settlement chances. Here's how:

1. Record damage immediately once the area is secure. Early evidence is the best.

2. Take photos and videos. Use a camera or phone for detailed shots. Capture all areas, inside and out. Include the source of the damage, if possible.

3. Make an inventory list of all damaged or lost items. Describe them and note their value. Group them by room or category.

4. Keep Damaged Items. Keep items until the adjuster inspects your property. If you must discard items, take photos.

5. Prevent further damage. Record any temporary repairs made. Keep receipts for materials.

6. Log communications. Record all interactions with your insurer. Note dates, names, and summaries.

7. Check for pre-disaster photos. If you have them, use pre-disaster photos for comparison.

8. Consider professional help. In complex cases, consider hiring an appraiser or adjuster.

The time to process an insurance claim after a disaster varies. It depends on the damage, insurance company policies, and the number of claims. Here's what to expect:

1. Immediate Response (1-2 Days)

• Report the Claim: Contact your insurer quickly after the disaster. They usually have 24-hour hotlines.

2. Adjuster Assignment (Within a Few Days to a Week)

• Contact from Adjuster: An assigned adjuster will call you. For large disasters, delays might happen due to many claims.

3. Inspection and Documentation (1-2 weeks)

• Adjuster Inspection: The adjuster will check the damage. This can be quick for individual claims but might take longer for major disasters.

• Submit Proof: Provide photos, videos, and a list of lost items.

4. Claim Processing (Several Weeks to Months)

• Review and Estimation: The adjuster reviews the damage and your policy. They then estimate repair costs. This step's length varies based on the claim complexity.

• Claim Decision: The insurer will approve, ask for more info, or deny the claim.

5. Settlement Offer and Negotiation (Varies)

• Initial Offer: After approval, the insurer will make an offer.

• Negotiation: If you disagree, there could be negotiations.

6. Payment (A Few Days to Weeks After Agreement)

• Disbursement: Upon agreement, you'll receive payment. The speed depends on the insurer and payment method.

Stay in touch with your adjuster and be patient after big disasters. Keep detailed records of your interactions and claim information.

Homeowners face challenges with insurance claims after disasters. Knowing the steps can help you get the coverage you need.

Here’s what to know about filing claims:

1. Immediate Steps:

   • Safety First: Make sure you and your family are safe.

   • Report the claim ASAP: Call your insurance company right away.

2. Document Everything:

   • Take Photos/Video: Capture all damage before repairs.

   • Inventory Lost Items: List damaged items with their values.

3. Understand Your Policy:

   • Know what's covered: Review your policy’s coverage details. Check to see if living expenses cover temporary accommodations.

4. Mitigate further damage:

   • Make temporary repairs: prevent further damage and save receipts.

5. Keep detailed records:

   • Communication Log: Track all talks with your insurer.

   • Expenses Receipts: Save all receipts related to your claim.

6. Claim Process:

   • Adjuster’s Visit: Be present when the adjuster inspects your home.

   • Review Settlement Offer: Check the offer against your policy.

7. Professional Advice:

   • Consider professional help: Get advice from a lawyer if your claim is complex. For more information, see Finding and Hiring a Lawyer. 

8. Dispute Resolution:

   • Disputes: Try to solve issues with your insurer first. If not, contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) for help or to file a complaint.

For more information, see Homeowner's Insurance After A Disaster. 

A standard homeowners insurance policy offers wide protection against various damages. Yet, coverage varies by policy, company, and location. Homeowners examine their insurance policies thoroughly to reveal all hidden details and information. In this way, they can understand what is included and what is excluded. They should also consider extra coverage. It is for risks not in the standard policy.

Common coverages include:

1. Dwelling: Covers structural damage. For example, damage to walls, roofs, and appliances from fire or hail.

2. Other structures: Protects detached structures, such as garages and sheds.

3. Personal Property: Safeguards items in the home or elsewhere.

4. Loss of Use: Covers living expenses if the home is uninhabitable.

5. Liability: Pays for injuries or damages caused by you, your pets, or household members.

6. Medical Payments: Covers guests' medical expenses, regardless of fault.

Covered events typically include fires, vandalism, and theft. Yet, floods, earthquakes, intentional damage, and wear and tear are usually not covered. For more information, see Flood Insurance From the National Flood Insurance Program. 

For more information, see Homeowner's Insurance After A Disaster. 

Renters should know how to file insurance claims after a disaster.

Here’s what renters need to know:

1. Know Your Coverage

• Personal Property: Renters' insurance covers belongings from fire, theft, and water damage.

• Liability Protection: This helps if someone gets hurt in your rental.

• Additional Living Expenses (ALE) pays for temporary housing. It does this if your home is unlivable.

2. Steps After a Disaster

• Safety First: Ensure your safety and follow evacuation orders.

• Document Damage: Take photos or videos of the damage for your claim.

• Notify your landlord: Tell your landlord about the damage quickly.

3. Contact your insurance.

• Report Loss: Call your insurance to report damage as soon as possible.

• Understand the claims process: Ask about forms and required documentation.

4. Prepare Your Claim

• Inventory Damage: List all damaged or lost items, with details and values.

• Keep Receipts: Save receipts for immediate repairs; they may be reimbursable.

5. Filing Your Claim

• Submit Documentation: Send your claim form, proof of damage, and inventory list.

• Cooperate with the Adjuster: Provide information to the insurance adjuster.

6. Follow Up

• Stay in contact: Check your claim status and respond to requests promptly.

7. Review the offer

• Assess Settlement Offer: Review the insurance offer carefully for adequacy.

• Negotiate if needed: If the offer is low, negotiate with supporting evidence.

8. If denied or unsatisfied

• Understand denial: Ask for an explanation for the denial or low offer.

• Dispute Resolution: Use the insurer's process if you disagree with the decision.

• Contact LDI for disputes. You can reach out to the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) for help or to file a complaint.

For more information, see Renters Insurance After A Disaster. 

Renters insurance can protect tenants during disasters. It covers damages and losses, but details vary by policy.

Here are common coverages under a standard renter's insurance policy:

1. Personal Property Coverage: This covers the repair or replacement of personal belongings. These include things like furniture and electronics. It protects against fire, theft, vandalism, and specific weather damage.

2. Liability Protection: This protects you if someone gets hurt on your property. It covers legal costs and court awards up to your policy limit.

3. Loss of Use: This covers "loss of use." If your home is unlivable, it pays for extra living costs, like hotels and meals.

4. Medical Bills: This pays medical bills for injuries in your home. It pays no matter who is at fault.

However, renters insurance may not cover:

• Natural disasters: Events like earthquakes and floods often require separate policies.

• Roommate's Belongings: Your roommate's belongings are not covered. Unless you list your roommate on the policy; this is the case.

• High-Value Items: Jewelry and art may need extra coverage due to limits.

• Vehicle Damage: Damage to cars is not covered; auto insurance handles this.

Examine your policy thoroughly and discuss details with your agent. Knowing your protection helps you decide on any needed extras.

For more information, see Renters Insurance After A Disaster. 

Check if your homeowners' insurance covers Additional Living Expenses (ALE). Follow these steps. ALE, or "Loss of Use," pays for extra living costs when you can't stay at home due to insured damage. Here's how to review and understand your policy's ALE coverage:

1. Look at the Declarations Page.

• This page summarizes your policy. It lists your ALE coverage, if any. Look for "Loss of Use" or "Additional Living Expenses."

2. Review the policy details.

• If the Declarations Page mentions ALE, check the policy. It states what is covered. It also states when coverage is available and any limits or exclusions.

• ALE usually covers hotel, meals, laundry, and other extra living costs during repairs.

3. Understand the limits.

• ALE has a cap, often a percentage of the dwelling coverage or a fixed amount. Time constraints might also limit it.

• Some policies offer unlimited ALE for a reasonable repair period.

4. Check for conditions and exclusions.

• Policies might exclude extras like home upgrades. They may not cover such costs.

• ALE often kicks in during mandatory evacuations, but this varies.

5. Contact your agent or company.

• If you're unsure, reach out for clarity on your ALE coverage.

• Ask about claim requirements, such as extra expense receipts.

6. Consider Endorsements.

• If your policy lacks ALE, ask about adding it. If it is not enough, ask about increasing it with an endorsement.