Follow these steps if you have a Claim:
1.) Inspect the property to be able to assess the damage as to the type of damage that was done, how much damage you received, the date and estimated time the damage occurred. An example would be… During Hurricane Tom on Saturday, September XX, 20XX, around 6 P.M. The wind blew the shutters and roof off of our property located on 216 Mail Street Drive.
2.) Call one of our agents immediately. We can be reached locally by calling 252-441-4077, or toll free 1-800-535-6242. Your insurance policy requires that you notify us as soon as reasonably possible after damage to the property.
3.) If there is debris that will prevent you from occupying your property, or the debris is causing more damage to the property, make sure you tell your agent during the initial phone call.
4.) In an effort to prevent further damage make only necessary temporary repairs to the property. For example, if a tree has fallen through the window in a house, you should either board up the window or get a tarp to prevent even more water or damage to the house.
5.) Make sure to protect the property from burglary or vandalism by locking up or boarding up entry ways into the house.
6.) Make sure you take pictures of the damage immediately to show the initial damage to the property, assuming the act of taking the pictures does not put yourself or others in danger. These pictures will help you, your agent, and the adjuster during the claim process. It is also a good idea to have pictures of the property and any valuables you may have before a loss occurs.
7.) Obtain a detailed estimate for the repairs that are needed and submit that to either your agent or adjuster to help speed up the process.
8.) Prepare an inventory of all damaged or destroyed items of personal property. Do not discard any items as the adjuster will want to see them before they are discarded.
9.) Keep any and all cancelled checks, receipts and other documents that will help the adjuster place a value on destroyed or damaged items.
10. Stay in touch with your adjuster and agent. Keep the lines of communication open and make sure that you can be reached if needed throughout the claims process. If the loss is in conjunction with a major catastrophe there will be hundreds of claims and the adjuster will need to be able to contact you promptly in order to move your claim along the process as quickly as possible.
Remember, we are here for you!
Our job is “Keeping Watch Over You and Yours”.
