What to do while you wait
FloridaSelect
will assign an adjuster to your claim, who will contact you using the
phone number you gave on your
claim report, so be sure to let us know where you can be reached.
Insurers usually send adjusters to the more severely damaged properties
first. If you suffered only minor damage, please be patient.
If your home or business is uninhabitable or you move somewhere else
temporarily, be sure to let us know where you can be reached.
Make any repairs
necessary to prevent further damage to your home or business. These
include covering breaks in a roof, wall, or windows with plywood, canvas,
or other waterproof material. Do not have permanent repairs made
without first consulting your agent. Minor repairs made by licensed
contractors are acceptable. Keep all receipts for expenditures you have
made to temporarily repair damage or to estimate the extent of your
damage. Take photos or a video of the damaged areas. These
will help you with the presentation of your claim and will assist the
adjuster in his investigation.
Prepare a detailed
inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property for the adjuster.
Be sure to keep a copy. Your list should be as complete as you can
make it and should include a description of the item and how many of them,
if more than one; date of purchase or approximate age; cost at time of
purchase; and estimated replacement cost today. Collect cancelled
checks, invoices, appraisals or other papers that might assist the
adjuster in determining the value of the destroyed property.
Even if home or business
furnishings and effects look like "total losses," do not get rid
of them until after an adjuster has examined them. Severely damaged
property can be stored in your garage or carport. Property that is
obviously a total loss can be placed outside the building.
Wooden furniture should
be cleaned as quickly as possible. Avoid rubbing in abrasives such
as ash, plaster, or wallboard particles that might have fallen on the
furniture. Your dry cleaning establishment can help you evaluate the
cleaning or restoration costs for clothing and draperies. Many
professional carpet cleaners specialize in carpet and upholstery
restoration. Metal objects, such as guns, drapery rods, and electric
motors in home appliances should be dried and rubbed or sprayed with oil
to prevent corrosion. Radios, TVs and other electronic systems
should also be dried out but not oiled.
Contact a Licensed
contractor to prepare an estimate of all your damage. The licensed
contractor should do emergency or temporary repairs to help protect your
property from further damage.
If you have not heard
from an adjuster within a reasonable time period, notify us immediately so
that we can determine what the delay is. We can assist you with your
claim.
