When you file a claim for damages to your home or business with your insurance company, there is a lengthy process involved before your claim will be closed. Most home and business owners expect that after the initial inspection, their claim will be paid out fairly, and they can make repairs.
Depending on the extent of the damages, the claim process may be more involved. This is usually the case with large hurricanes such as recent storms Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Irma. A Reinspection for damages can be a pivotal point in the processing of your claim.
When Does a Reinspection Need to Happen?
After the initial inspection, the insurance company’s adjuster creates a scope of the damages. Then they submit an estimate to the insurance company that says how much your damages will cost to repair. When you have a public adjuster involved with your claim, the public adjuster also writes an estimate of how much the damages will cost to repair. Your public adjuster’s estimate and demand letter are also submitted to your insurance company. It’s at this point that your public adjuster or insurance carrier can request a reinspection. Sentry will typically request that a reinspection take place as part of our advocacy for fair payment on your claim.
Even if your insurance company has made an undisputed payment, your claim may still be significantly underpaid. If your claim is underpaid, it can leave you on the hook for the cost of some repairs.
What Happens at a Reinspection for Damages?
The purpose of a reinspection may seem redundant, but this is a crucial part of the claim process that can benefit you. Your insurance company will often send out a different field adjuster to reinspect the property alongside your public adjuster. The public adjuster and the insurance adjuster will reevaluate the claim together. The public adjuster and the insurance company adjuster use reinspections to negotiate claims and agree on a fair settlement.
Sentry’s public adjusters typically walk through the insurance company estimate, using it to substantiate the damages that need to be repaired. We will also review any additional damages that may have appeared after the initial inspection, such as cracks, water spots or mold. Sentry will go over any discrepancies on the pricing of supplies, especially after a natural disaster like Hurricane Michael.
Your public adjuster will advocate for the fair payment on correct coverages. For example, if you have a fallen tree removed from your house, the debris-removal cost should be applied to your coverage for the dwelling, not coverage for other structures. If that cost isn’t applied to the proper coverage, it could result in you having to use funds from one coverage to pay for repairs covered under a separate coverage.
Every claim is different; some may take longer to process, and some claims will have other road bumps. Just like every property is unique, so is every claim. Your public adjuster will walk you through every step of the process, so you’re not left in the dark with your insurance claim.
How Can Sentry Help at a Reinspection?
When the initial inspection at your property takes place, the insurance company personnel may not have your best interest in mind. They represent the insurance company, not the property owner. Sentry is on your side and works diligently to ensure that your claim is thoroughly and efficiently handled. Sentry represents you throughout the entire claim process to help you at every turn. Contact Sentry today at 844-443-4357 to learn how we can assist you in handling your property damage claim.