Steps to Take After Property Damage

As you’re sitting at your dinner table, drinking your coffee, and eating your breakfast, you open up Facebook, and all you see are photos, videos, and news articles about the hail storm that swept through your neighborhood. You see that one of your friends posted a picture of a golf ball-sized hail near one of the office buildings you own. You realize there is a VERY good chance your building has damage. What do you do? Do you know how to navigate the claims process after property damage?

Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do after property damage:

1. Mitigate Further Damage

First and foremost, prioritize your own safety and that of others. If the damage poses any immediate danger, take necessary steps to mitigate further impact or loss to your property. This could involve actions like boarding up windows, covering exposed areas, or shutting off utilities if necessary. Safety should always be the top priority.

2. Document the Damage

Capture thorough photographic and video evidence of all damage. This documentation is crucial as it serves as tangible proof of the extent of the damage for your insurance claim. Take pictures and videos from multiple angles, including close-up shots and wider views, to capture the full scope of the damage.

Focus on Exterior Components: Inspect and document any damage to the roof, siding, windows, and surrounding landscape features such as foliage. Look for signs of dents, punctures, missing shingles or tiles, and debris accumulation.
Immediate Assistance: If you cannot immediately document the damage yourself, contact our team promptly. We can dispatch someone to conduct a thorough damage assessment and gather the necessary information for your claim.

3. Contact Our Team for Guidance

Reach out to our team as soon as possible for professional assistance. Premier Claims specializes in navigating the complexities of insurance claims and can provide invaluable guidance from the outset.

Assessment and Documentation: Our team will conduct an on-site inspection to gather comprehensive evidence of all recoverable damage under your insurance policy.
Detailed Damage List: We’ll help you create a detailed list of all damage, impacted areas, and any structural issues. This includes a summary of the date, time, and severity of the event that caused the damage.
Compile Records: Gather any relevant records related to your property, such as maintenance records, previous inspection reports, repair receipts, and prior photographs. These documents strengthen your claim by providing a history of the property’s condition.

4. Initiate the Claims Process

After reviewing the evidence and records, if we determine there is sufficient damage covered under your policy, we will initiate the claims process on your behalf.

Notification to Insurance Carrier: We will notify your insurance carrier of the damage incurred and provide all necessary documentation to support your claim.
Advocacy and Support: Throughout the claims process, our team will advocate for your best interests and work hard to get you fair compensation for the damage to the property. Dealing with property damage can be daunting, but taking proactive steps and partnering with our experienced team can make a significant difference in the outcome of your insurance claim. By promptly documenting the damage, compiling necessary records, and initiating the claims process with our guidance, you can lay a solid foundation for a smooth and successful resolution.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in navigating the insurance claims process and recovering from property damage effectively. Your peace of mind is our priority.

In the world of property insurance claims, the term “damage assessment” holds significant weight. It’s a pivotal step in the process, one that can make all the difference in the outcome of a claim. Take a look at what damage assessments entail and why they matter.

What is a Damage Assessment?

A damage assessment is a critical evaluation conducted by professionals to determine the condition of a property, especially in the aftermath of a potential event that could lead to an insurance claim. This assessment aims to identify any visible damage or signs that may indicate underlying issues requiring further inspection. Learn more about the purpose of a damage assessment in our full YouTube video: Let’s Talk Damage Assessments

Types of Assessments

Within the realm of damage assessments, there are various types, each serving a distinct purpose:

Damage Assessment

This initial assessment provides a broad overview of the property’s condition, identifying any visible signs of damage such as dented gutters or damaged soft metals on the roof. Levi Warren, Adjusting Manager and Licensed Public Adjuster, explained how, “A damage assessment can be geared towards any type of damage. It can be everything from hail to hurricane damage to even snow collapses. What you’re doing is documenting the current status of your property so that you can present that to your insurance carrier.”

Scope

A scope is a more detailed inspection where professionals take a deeper look into specific components of the property, such as conducting membrane pullbacks or inspecting shingles for damage. To learn more about scopes, read our blog: Let’s Talk Scopes

Inspection

An inspection is a comprehensive review of a property, conducted in collaboration with the insurance carrier representative, where damages are discussed in detail.

The Importance of Damage Assessments

Damage assessments serve as a crucial tool for both property owners and insurance carriers. Why are they important?

Early Detection

By conducting a damage assessment, property owners can identify potential issues early on, even before filing a claim. This proactive approach allows them to address any concerns promptly.

Documentation

The assessment provides documented evidence of the property’s condition at the time of evaluation. This documentation can be invaluable when filing a claim, allowing clarity and transparency throughout the process.

Claim Preparation

Should the need arise to file a claim, a thorough damage assessment lays the foundation for a successful claims process. It equips property owners with the necessary information to support their case effectively.

Peace of Mind

Knowing the true condition of their property offers peace of mind to property owners, whether they ultimately need to file a claim or not. It empowers them to make informed decisions about their property’s maintenance and protection.

A damage assessment is more than just a routine inspection— it’s a proactive step towards safeguarding your property and cultivating a smooth claims process. At Premier Claims, we understand the importance of this initial evaluation and strive to provide comprehensive assessments with precision and care. Let us guide you through this aspect of property protection, ensuring your peace of mind every step of the way. Connect with us today to learn more about how we can assist you in navigating the complexities of property claims.

Recovering Contents from Fire Damage

Our team understands that after a fire, the loss extends beyond just the structure—it reaches every item that makes a space feel like home or a business function seamlessly. We aid in creating a detailed content inventory of all affected items, ensuring nothing is overlooked. With this comprehensive list in hand, we then provide a rigorous evaluation to insurance carriers. This allows us to advocate for our clients to obtain full reimbursement for each content item. Our commitment is to secure recovery, not just from the structural loss, but from the personal and operational disruptions the fire may have caused.

Creating Content Inventory

Most homeowners or business owners haven’t prepared a detailed inventory of their possessions before experiencing a substantial loss — and that’s perfectly understandable. Our team excels in employing innovative methods to assist in assembling a thorough inventory. Below are some strategies and suggestions we offer our clients following a major fire incident:

- - Retain damaged items, or parts of them, until our team can conduct a complete inspection and documentation.
  - Review any past photographs or videos from your property; they might showcase valuable content present at the time of the loss.
  - Schedule a session to discuss the contents of each room and area of your property with your assigned client specialist. As you recall items, our team handles the documentation.
  - We help in retrieving purchase records from vendors and establishments where you’ve bought items.

Replacing Vital Documents

While our team is committed to assisting with a wide range of post-loss concerns, we cannot directly help in replacing personal identification and essential documents. However, we are more than happy to guide you in the right direction to secure replacements. Below is a handy list detailing where you can obtain replacements for various vital documents:

Vital documents	Where to get a replacement
Drivers License or State Id	Local Department of Motor Vehicles
Government Id	Locate your nearest Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) site
Military Discharge Papers	Department of Veterans Affairs 1-800-827-1000
Passports	State Department—Passport Services 1-202-955-0430
Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates	Appropriate State Bureau of Records
Social Security or Medicare Cards	Local Social Security Office 1-800-772-1213
Credit Cards	Mastercard & Visa: Contact the issuing financial institution American Express: 1-800-441-0519 Discover: 1-800-DISCOVER (1-800-347-2683)
Titles to Deeds	Records department of the area/county in which the property is located
Stocks and Bonds	Issuing company or your broker
Wills	Attorney or probate court where the will was filed
Income Tax Records	Internal Revenue Services (IRS): 1-800-829-1040 Accountant
Citizenship Papers	Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services: 1-800-375-5283
Mortgage Papers	Lending Institution

Cleaning & Removing Smoke Odor

Assistance might be available to help clean and eliminate smoke odors from items affected by the fire. This depends on the specifics of your insurance policy and the capabilities of your mitigation service provider. To make things easier for you, we’ve shared a few helpful hints to support the cleanup procedure when recovering contents from fire damage:

- - Follow the health guidance from first responders to the fire and mitigation team on the safe cleanup of fire ash, protective clothing and use of masks.
  - People often use a cleaning agent containing tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) to reduce odors in fabrics. You can find it under its generic name or specific brand names, available in different formats such as sprays, liquids, or powders. We recommend reading the label for further information and safety instructions, as well as testing any garments or fabrics prior to utilizing.
  - Clean kitchenware or appliances with soap and water, rinse, and then polish them.

What Do You Do After Property Damage Occurs?