Insurance Declassified: C is for Claim

No one ever expects to have to file an insurance claim. The process can be stressful, particularly if your claim is a result of an accident or severe weather. Outside of the obvious precautions, such as wearing seatbelts or closing your windows before a storm, there are some steps you can take to help reduce the stress and out of pocket expense of a claim situation. The first point is to be realistic about your deductible amounts.  Having a higher deductible will help lower your annual premium, but may result in more out of pocket costs or stress in the event of a claim. If the funds to pay your deductible are not available this can be a huge problem. This is very important for your homeowner's policy, when a claim can leave you literally exposed to the elements. Saving $100 annually does you little good if you have a homeowner's claim and have to wait for your next paycheck to begin repairs. The same stands true with your auto coverage. If you have a $1000 collision deductible you can wind up paying substantially more out of pocket for minor damages. Another great way to reduce your stress is to keep an inventory of your home. We recommend our clients make an annual inventory when they receive their homeowner's renewal information. It can be as simple as walking through each room of your home with your cell phone and recording a quick video. The trick is to then send that video in an e-mail so it can't be lost or destroyed. For jewelry we recommend clients have anything over $1,000 insured separately. Not only does this guarantee your items are covered for their value but it is much easier to take inventory in the event of a theft. Your agent has appraisals for your items on file and you have the peace of mind that your treasures will be replaced with like kind and quality. Keeping receipts and bills of service is another great way to avoid stress during a claims situation. This creates a paper trail so you can be reimbursed for lost purchases or renovations that were made just prior to a loss; it can also helps solidify a timeline in the event your claim is related to faulty repairs, or a theft after having work done at your residence. You have already taken the first step toward claims mitigation by employing Whitford Insurance Network. With Whitford Insurance Network you have a dedicated team of professionals working on your behalf, not for an insurance company. We advocate for you to claims adjustors and provide references to reputable restoration companies so our clients can return to life as normal as quickly as possible