How to Move Forward With Your Property Damage Insurance Claim We help with every step of preparing and settling your property damage insurance claim.

• Contact your insurance agent or company.
  • Report your claim.
  • Your insurance agent or representative will go over your policy and responsibilities.
  • Your insurance company will send out an adjuster to assess your scope of loss.
• Attempt to mitigate further damages.
  • Take pictures or videos of the entire property to accurately depict what occurred and the measures you’ve taken to thwart further damage. Be sure to keep all receipts for mitigation-related expenses.
    
    • Safety always comes first, but you should do what you can to prevent further damage to your insured property. Examples include:
      
      • Cover broken windows to stop rain from causing additional water damage.
      • Hire a professional mitigation company. Ensure that the company you hire is IICRC certified (Institution of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification). Before any work begins, get written assurance from your contractor that you will not pay more for mitigation than the insurance company will approve.
  • Adjusters International/Basloe, Levin & Cuccaro can help you work with the mitigation company you choose.
• Understand ALE Coverage.
  
  • The purpose of Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage is exactly as it’s named – to cover the additional living expenses you may incur while your home is uninhabitable in order to maintain a standard of living comparable to that which you enjoyed prior to your loss, based on the limits in your policy. These costs can include hotel stays or rented accommodations, additional transportation costs, storage unit rental, etc.
  • This coverage is a standard part of most homeowners' insurance policies, but many insureds don't realize they have it.
  • Be sure to save all receipts and document your expenses. If you would like assistance in locating an ALE representative to assist you in securing housing, storage, etc., we’re happy to help.
• Hire reputable contractors.
  
  • You should only hire a licensed contractor with an active bond or insurance in place. A professional building contractor will provide an estimate of how much it will cost to restore or rebuild your home.
  • The contractor should not modify the scope of work but base the estimate strictly on the repairs related to your insurance claim.  
• Navigate the insurance claim process.
  • If you’ve restored the property, a walk-through of it with your insurance company representative is required.
  • Be sure to have all your documentation including receipts, photographs, and videos.
  • Don't feel pressured to answer any questions that make you uncomfortable during the walk-through.
  • If instead you have purchased another property, your Adjusters International/Basloe, Levin & Cuccaro public adjuster can guide you through that process as well.

The public adjusters at Adjusters International/Basloe, Levin & Cuccaro will walk you through the entire process and get you the optimal settlement that you deserve.

1. Are you prepared to answer questions from your insurance adjuster regarding damages?
2. Do you understand your property insurance coverage as it relates to replacement costs versus actual cash value?
3. Do you know how to navigate your additional living expenses (ALE) with minimal impact on your current lifestyle?
4. Do you know how to prepare a detailed inventory of your personal property?
5. Are you prepared to prove your damages to the insurance company per your policy provisions?

• ALE
  • ALE (Additional Living Expense) coverage helps the homeowner maintain a comparable standard of living until the home can be inhabited again. A standard part of most policies, it covers the cost above your normal expenses for things like food and lodging at a hotel or apartment while the home is being restored. Utilities, rental furniture, and additional automobile mileage due to temporarily relocating farther away from your job are also covered.
  • Because home repairs can take a considerable amount of time, you should take advantage of ALE immediately. ALE will only pay up to the homeowner’s insurance policy limit.
• Mitigation Company
  • After your home has been damaged, the owner must do what is necessary to prevent further loss and potential danger. This may involve hiring a mitigation company to handle such tasks as debris removal, board up, and securing the damaged structure.
  • When hiring a property damage mitigation company, understand the process and cost up-front. Be certain to have the agreement in writing from your contractor that you will only be responsible for insurance-approved pricing and scope of repair.
• Restoration Contractors
  • In order to return your home to its original state, you will have to hire a restoration contractor. By hiring a licensed, experienced, and professional contractor, not only time will be saved, but costs can be kept at a minimum. Be sure to verify credentials and check the background of any contractors you are considering. Ask to see certifications, vet references, and check the Better Business Bureau rating for any reviews of work or previous complaints.
• Scope of Loss
  • The scope of loss refers to the amount and type of damage your home incurred. It measures the quantity, quality and current cost of the materials and the labor requirements. It may include photos, diagrams, and detailed line-item entries broken down to comply with local building codes.
  • In the case of fire damage, the scope of loss will include everything that burned as well as account for smoke damage, water damage from fire extinguishing efforts, and environmental repercussions. Debris removal, cleaning, and odor abatement will also be added to the cost of rebuilding. Depreciation will also be included.
  • Pay close attention to the wording of your policy and any language appearing on payments. For example, do not cash a check that says “Full and Final Settlement” if you are expecting additional payments. Consult with your insurance carrier if you have any questions, because an accidental printing can cause issues down the line.