Take Control of Your Claim

Notify the Key Parties:

• Insurance Agent: Immediately notify your insurance agent about your loss and request a copy of your insurance policy.
• Mortgage Company: Inform your mortgage company of the damage. Request necessary paperwork and procedures. If it’s a total loss, ask for a payoff letter.

Coordinate with Your Public Adjuster:

• Have your public adjuster fax their contract to the insurance company.
• Arrange for the public adjuster to meet the insurance adjuster at the loss site for coordination.

Secure Your Property:

• Protect your property from further damage, such as with board-ups. Notify your insurance company once this is completed, providing written confirmation of these actions.

Initiate Essential Repairs and Services:

• Electrician: Contact an electrician for temporary electric setup and apply for a meter.
• Heating Contractor: Arrange for temporary heating services.
• Plumber: Check water lines and winterize your property if necessary.

Organize Professional Inventory and Packout:

• Engage an emergency inventory specialist before a packout.
• Assist the packout company in identifying salvageable items, leaving totaled items onsite. Take photos of each room before the packout begins.

Documentation and Financial Steps:

• Obtain a preliminary price from your packout company before proceeding.
• Check warranties on electric and mechanical goods, and obtain written confirmation from manufacturers for potential claims.
• If a total loss, solicit a demolition bid and consider P.A. 495 hold-backs. Before any cleaning, secure a written estimate from the cleaning company.

Negotiate Temporary Living Arrangements:

• Request a cash advance from the insurance company and document meticulously.
• Establish temporary living arrangements and obtain agreement from the insurance company. If needed, organize necessary rental furniture and seek direct payment arrangements where possible.

Verify Financial and Legal Conditions:

• Obtain written consent from your mortgage company to rebuild, and confirm all payments are current.
• Retrieve in writing approvals from the insurance company to proceed with rebuilding off-site, as required by policy provisions.
• Maintain detailed records of all expenditures related to the claim.

Engage Local Authorities:

• Send updates to local code enforcement regarding claim progress to avoid demolition notices.
• Confirm any “green light” conditions from the building department for rebuilding after a total loss.

Plan Your Financial Future:

• Explore refinancing options and assess new market values with a local realtor before deciding whether to rebuild or sell the property in its current state.

With these steps, you’re laying the foundation for a comprehensive approach to managing your property damage claim, aimed at achieving a successful and timely resolution. Stay tuned for Part 2 in this series, where we’ll continue to guide you through the intricacies of the claims process.