If you suffer fire damage to your Florida home, you will probably seek coverage from your homeowner’s insurance policy. To process your claim, your insurer will send an adjuster to your home to examine the damage. Since this survey will serve as the basis for an estimate, you will want your adjuster visit to go as smoothly as possible.
You might not have any experience with dealing with an adjuster. If this is the case, Consumer Reports provides some tips to help you make your adjuster visit proceed positively and protect you from pitfalls that could endanger your claim.
Avoid an adjuster scam
Be aware that malicious parties are out there looking to scam property owners who have suffered home damage. So if an adjuster contacts you, be certain that the adjuster is legitimate. Check with the insurance company to receive the name of the adjuster before a home visit. When you meet with an adjuster, ask for identification.
Take the adjuster on a home tour
Make sure that your adjuster actually sees all the damage done to your property. Consider being present at your home so that you can ensure your adjuster does not miss anything. Just having the adjuster take a walk around your home and through the main areas of the residence runs the risk of your adjuster missing some of the damage. This could cause the insurance company to give you a lower offer on your home repairs than you need.
Record contacts with your adjuster
Your adjuster visit could affect whether you end up with a case against your insurance company for not honoring your policy. For instance, your insurer may miss an appointment, not return your phone calls, or act rudely towards you in person. Document how your contacts with your adjuster go. Also keep all your emails with your adjuster.
Ideally, you will not need these documents. But if you can show your insurer was not acting in good faith with you, it could sway a dispute with your insurance company in your favor.