What To Expect When Filing an Insurance Claim

When unexpected damage hits your home, your world can feel like it's been turned upside down. Between dealing with the immediate mess and worrying about the costs, the last thing you want to do is deal with an insurance claim.

Since we help families navigate this stress all the time, we know exactly how overwhelming it can feel. To help take the guesswork out of a tough situation, here is a quick, step by step breakdown of what you can usually expect, and how to make sure you get the coverage you deserve.

Document Everything and Call Us First

Before you pick up the phone to call your insurance company, take a deep breath, grab your phone, and snap some photos of the damage. Then, give us a call.

Why call us before your insurance agent? It's simple: you want a trusted professional to inspect the damage first. We will thoroughly evaluate the areas affected to determine:

• Whether the damage is structural or cosmetic
• If the costs will realistically exceed your deductible

Why this matters: If the cost to fix the damage is less than your deductible, filing a claim might just raise your monthly premiums for no reason. We'll help you figure out if a claim is truly worth it before you file.

File the Claim If Necessary

If our inspection reveals damage that warrants a claim, it's time to call it in. Once you report the incident, your insurance company will give you a claim number and assign a claims adjuster to your case. Keep this claim number handy, as you'll need it for every piece of paperwork moving forward.

The Adjuster's Visit

Next, the insurance company will send out their own adjuster to look over the damage and estimate the repair costs.

Tip: Let us know the second you have an appointment time! We love to be there in person when the adjuster arrives. Having us onsite ensures everyone is on the same page and guarantees that the insurance company doesn't overlook hidden damage.

Review the Scope and Get to Work

Once the initial inspection is done, we will start the mitigation process to prevent further damage to your home, documenting every single step along the way.

Shortly after, your insurance company will likely issue an initial payout. Don't panic if this first check seems low! This is completely normal. We will bill your insurance company directly for the actual work completed and handle the negotiation on your behalf to make sure all necessary repairs are fully covered.

Pro Tip for Homeowners: Keep a Paper Trail

Whenever you are dealing with an insurance claim, information is key! Use a notebook to log the date, time, and name of every single person you speak to at the insurance company, along with a quick summary of what was said. You'll thank yourself later!

We're Here to Help

The sooner we can get out to your property to assess the damage, the better protected your home (and your wallet) will be. Don't navigate the chaos alone! Request your free inspection today.

We are here 24/7, 365. Call Champion at 404-282-6821.