Filing a claim is never fun, but being informed about your policy and the process as you work with a trusted insurance agent like Superior Insurance and Auto Tags can make all the difference. In our last article, we talked about the basic steps involved in the process of claims adjustment. It starts with contacting your insurance agent to provide details of the incident and initiate the claims process, and moves on to an investigation being conducted by a claims adjustor.
Working with your claims adjustor is an important part of the process, because it’s the adjustor who will determine, after gathering information, inspecting the damage, and reviewing your policy, whether your claim meets the conditions of your policy to be approved—and if so, for how much. Here are our top five questions to ask your insurance adjustor to make this step as easy and successful as possible:
- Is this damage covered by my plan?
Every insurance policy is different, and the terms of your policy will determine whether your damage is covered by your plan. For example, if you are in an automobile accident, whether you can claim damages for pain and suffering depends on whether you purchased limited or full tort coverage. Or, if your basement is damaged by flooding, whether or not the damage is covered will depend on whether flooding is a covered peril in your policy, or whether you have purchased additional flood coverage. Your insurance adjustor will be able to assess whether there is a possibility of being compensated for your damages or loss based on the terms of your policy.
- What should I do—or not do—while I’m waiting for the claim to be resolved?
If your house has been damaged by a fire, how much should you try to clean up while you are waiting for the claim to be resolved? Who is responsible for the clean up? How will you know when you have the “all clear” to start? If your car is totaled in an accident, what provisions does your policy have for getting a rental? These are just a few examples, but the bottom line is that if an incident is causing you to file a claim, it is likely disrupting your life in some way, and it’s important to consult with your claims adjustor about how to deal with that disruption in a way that will not jeopardize your claim.
- Will this affect my insurance rates?
Particularly when it comes to automobile insurance, this question is critical. If you are not found to be at fault, it will not be as much of a factor, but if you are found at fault in an automobile accident and your insurance company has to pay damages on your behalf, they may well raise your rates. Different policies have terms that may include first accident forgiveness, or that may raise your rates by an established amount, but then lower them again after a certain amount of time has passed without additional accidents. Your insurance claims adjustor should know what the rate increase schedule is for your policy and should be able to give you a heads up about the potential impact to your premium following an accident.
- How will you keep me updated?
You’ll want to stay up to date on what is happening with your claim so you can be prepared and recover from the damages as quickly and successfully as possible. Ask the adjustor how he or she will keep you informed—will they send an email or call? Will they reach out with regular updates, or only when there is something new to report? How should you contact them if you have a question?
- Can you give me a copy of my file?
Nowadays most files are kept electronically, but for your own peace of mind it is helpful to have your own paper copy of your insurance claim file in case you ever need to refer to it later. Ask your insurance claims adjustor about getting a copy of your file, and keep it with your important paperwork so you always have your own copy on hand should you ever need it.
For more information about how to get the most out of your automobile insurance, talk with an expert insurance agent at Superior Insurance and Auto Tags today.