What is an Insurance Claim Process Like?
For homeowners you’ve paid insurance premiums for years and thankfully never had to file a claim, but suddenly all that changed. It could be an extreme thunderstorm or tornado with damaging wind and hail. It could be a fire from a faulty appliance or unattended stove. Or a frozen water pipe that floods a bathroom on the second floor and the living room below. Once you catch your breath what do you do next? Be sure everyone is safe and the danger is removed. Secure things to prevent further damage or contact Bauer Specialty to assist with this initial protection.
We can help get things protected to keep the elements out and then begin to work with you to get things put back together.
When you contact your insurance company this is when you officially “make a claim” to tell them what has happened and the process begins. Your insurance company will appoint a claims adjuster to come out and evaluate your property for the claim. They will prepare a report and tell you how much the insurance company will pay toward the claim dependent upon your insurance policy details and less your deductible amount. Once you agree to this the insurance company will send you a check for the amount that you would use to have things put back together.
It sounds so simple but an issue we have encountered with multiple homeowners after the hail storm in early 2019 was the low amount of the initial claim from the insurance company’s adjuster. If accepted as is the homeowner would be forced to make up the difference in cost in order to put their home back together to conditions prior to the damage. Our Bauer Specialty representatives estimate claims using the Xactimate software system.