How do I make insurance claims after a disaster?
If your property was lost or damaged because of a recent disaster, you may be able to make insurance claims for the property. This information may help you understand more about the insurance process and could help get you money for repairs and replacements. #9904EN
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If your property was lost or damaged because of a recent disaster, you may be able to make insurance claims for the property. This information may help you understand more about the insurance process and could help get you money for repairs and replacements.
The most important thing is to make sure you are safe and have all of your basic needs met. Use the Red Cross's Find An Emergency Shelter to find emergency shelters near you. You can also call the Red Cross 24 hours a day at 1-800-733-2767. Shelters are open to anyone. There are no income or citizenship requirements for emergency shelter.
Do not return to your home until it is safe. Returning to your home and documenting the damage are an important step to recovering from the disaster. But, this step can wait until after officials announce that it is safe to return.
Keep receipts for any extra living costs (like hotels and meals) for as long as you are unable to return home.
Call your insurance company to inform them of your loss. Be clear that you don't know the extent of the damage or how much it will cost to fix. You will need to follow up with written notice of your loss, including additional documentation. You will have time to figure out exactly what was damaged later.
Read How Can FEMA Help Me to learn more about the disaster aid that is available to you immediately from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Some of this assistance can help you pay for temporary housing until you can go home.
Yes. You can apply for FEMA aid programs even if you also have applied for insurance claims for the same disaster. You just can't get fully reimbursed for the same property replacement or repair from both FEMA and your insurance.
FEMA can't pay for costs that your insurance will pay for. But FEMA may be able to offer you loan or aid programs to cover costs beyond what insurance will cover or for costs that insurance denies. There are benefit aid programs that FEMA may be able to offer you that your insurance can't. When you get a settlement or denial from your insurance company, you should update your FEMA.
Keep notes whenever you talk with your insurance company, agent, or broker. Include dates, times, and people in the conversation. Keep copies of all letters, emails, and any other communications between you and your insurance company or agent.
- Once you document damage and find your policies, make your insurance claim as soon as you can. You should call your insurance company to start this process.
- Ask your insurance company how they want claims submitted and where they want claims sent. The company might require that you use a certain form or include specific information. They might just require a letter that explains what you lost. Send a written notice, even if you have already called to inform your insurer. Keep a copy for your records. Be sure to ask about any deadlines.
- Ask about any deductibles that will apply if your claims are approved.
- Request partial or advance payments as needed. Do not sign a release or waiver form and do not accept a check that states that it is a full or final settlement, unless you feel that it actually fair.
- Ask whether you will have to pay for repairs up front and be reimbursed if the claim is approved. Some insurance companies can work quickly to get you paid so you don't have to pay for repairs out of pocket.
- Ask about any "Additional Living Expense (ALE)" or "Loss of Use" coverage if you think it may be a part of your policy. It may be a good idea to ask just in case even if you don't think it is a part of your policy. It is often standard as part of many policies even if you didn't know you were paying for that coverage. ALE can help pay for temporary housing, food, laundry, transportation or commute costs, and pet boarding. You can usually get ALE for evacuations related to disasters even if your home is not damaged. If you can't get home and are displaced, you should ask your insurance about ALE.
- Ask about the process for replacing personal possessions. Every insurance policy will have its own rules for this process. You might have to pay for replacements out of pocket and get reimbursed if your policy covers it.
- Ask whether an insurance adjuster will be coming out to the property. You insurance company may require that an adjuster come out to the property to review the damages and make an estimate for the claim. If you have had to make repairs before the adjuster has reviewed the damaged property, make an itemized list of repairs and replacements for the adjuster. Include receipts and photo documentation if able.
- Send in proof of loss (things like photos, receipts, and titles) and other documents the policy requires to get coverage and payments from the insurance company. Include an itemized list of all expenses.
- Keep notes and records from all communications with your claims agent or adjuster including things like missed appointments or unreturned calls, emails, or texts. Also keep notes about what was discussed about your claim and any repair advice they gave you. You should ask the adjuster or claims agent to put all repair advice in writing.
- Ask if you need a written authorization for any repairs and keep copies of that authorization.
- If you get offered an immediate settlement, make sure it is only an advance on a bigger final settlement or that you can reopen the claim later if you find more damage.
- Document the damage before cleaning up or making repairs. If possible, take photos and/or videos of property damage. Go through your home room by room to make sure you don't miss anything. Make a list of damaged or lost items. It is okay to secure the property or make temporary repairs to keep it safe with things like tarps. Don't throw out damaged items until the insurance adjuster has visited.
- Find a copy of each insurance policy that might help cover a loss (homeowners/renters, car, health, etc.) If you don't have a copy, your insurance agent can provide one.
- Check each policy for deadlines or special requirements. There might be special rules about what kind of replacement property you can buy. As you start to repair or replace damaged property, try to follow the rules of the policies.
- Find out if you need approval from your insurance company before spending money or making contracts for repairs. It is probably a good idea to wait to start any repairs until you have filed your insurance claim first.
- Keep receipts for any clean up, repairs or replacement items.
- If you find damage after the adjuster has already reviewed the property, still report that damage. As long as your claim is still open, report any damage that you find that was caused by the disaster no matter how late you find it.
- Don't release (or give up) your claims until you think the insurance company is offering a fair amount. Review checks, payments, letters, emails, and all communication from your insurance company and make sure you understand what they say. Language like "full and final settlement" or "waive all claims" means you will not get any more money in the future. If you are in doubt, call your insurance agent and ask them to explain it. If it still doesn't make sense, you may need to talk to a lawyer.
- Follow up with your insurance company about your claim.
- Apply for FEMA aid programs if you haven't already.
- Get legal help if you feel someone is treating you unfairly.
- Appeal your denial or unfair settlement amount. Your policy should have a process for appealing a denial or disputing a settlement amount. If you don't think you got a fair settlement, file an appeal.
- Only claim damages for what you actually lost. Don't overstate your claims because you think the insurance company might offer less than you deserve. Reporting inaccurate information can get you in serious trouble. It is better to list everything that was lost or damaged, along with a reasonable value to repair or replace it. Be honest about the value and firm about what amount you need you replace it.
- Do not let the insurance company rush you into a quick settlement. Insurance claims take a long time to process. Trying to speed up the process may mean you do not get everything you deserve. You can request a partial or advance payment if you need money right away to pay for recovery. Do not sign a release or waiver form and do not accept a check that states that it is a full or final settlement, unless you feel that it is fair.
- Be cautious when working with the claims adjuster. Be courteous and respectful, but remain assertive about your interests. You must cooperate with reasonable requests for information from the insurance company, but review their requests and proposals carefully. Get a second opinion, if anything seems out of the ordinary or unfair.
Get Legal Help
Visit Northwest Justice Project to find out how to get legal help.