Hurricane Recovery Tips
Hurricane Recovery Tips… because education = money
Top Twenty Recovery Tips
Resources and Links
Hurricane Recovery Tips…
because education = money
The following tips and links will help educate you so you get through the claims process with every dollar you are owed and without it feeling like a second disaster.
If a hurricane has damaged or destroyed your property and you have insurance, that’s the good news. Generally speaking, insurance companies have the funds to cover the claims that are filed. But to collect what you’re owed, you will need to learn some basic facts about large and total loss insurance claims. These facts apply regardless of whether you have a separate flood policy or are insured by a government-run insurance pool or association.
As you begin to pick up the pieces and get on the road to recovery, remember that insurance is a vehicle to get you back home, but it won’t drive itself. The squeaky wheel gets paid. Now is the time to get a basic understanding of how your insurance policy is supposed to work for you, what problems you may encounter during the claim process, and what resources there are for getting help when you need it. Insurance policies are contracts and confusing ones at that, but there are laws to protect you from unfair practices. Let’s get started.
First the good news:
- You’re not alone, help is available and you will get through the recovery process.
- Some insurers and adjusters treat their customers better than others by paying what they owe reasonably promptly.
- By getting up to speed on some basic facts about the process of filing and getting paid on a large insurance claim, you’ll significantly increase your odds of getting a fair and prompt settlement.
Now some not so good news:
- Large and total loss claims usually take more than a full year to get fully and fairly paid.
- Pace yourself. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Insurance companies are profit-oriented businesses – not charities or “good neighbors”.
- Don’t confuse the ads they use to sell their products with reality. When it comes to dollars flowing back from them to you – it’s all about documentation, organization and negotiation.
- Some insurers and adjusters will try to rush folks into fast settlements and close claims quickly without paying in full.
- There will be a lot of misinformation floating around about what’s covered and what’s not, and how much it should cost to repair damage.
Top Twenty Recovery Tips
- Insurance is a vehicle to get you back where you were before the loss, but it won’t drive itself…you need to drive it.
- Despite some people’s bad experiences, you should give your insurance company a chance to do the right thing.
- Recovering from a major loss is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself.
- Be as politely assertive as you can in your dealings with adjusters and higher- ups at the insurance company.
- You’re not alone, help is available.
- There’s strength in numbers, networking with others insured by your same company is invaluable.
- Let your adjusters know you’re a member of United Policyholders (No dues are required).
- Your adjuster may be friendly but he/she is not your friend.
- Some companies reward their claim adjusters for closing claims as quickly and cheaply as possible.
- You will probably have to deal with a series of different adjusters, some may have very little expertise or training.
- A large insurance claim is a business negotiation, like it or not, so keep a diary and take detailed notes.
- Document and support your own loss with as much proof, details and estimates as you can.
- Present clear demands to your insurer in writing that include deadlines for them to respond.
- Don’t be pressured into signing any releases, waivers or contracts.
- Don’t sign any legal documents without consulting with a qualified attorney.
- Get specialized professional help when you need it, start at the “Find Help” section of www.unitedpolicyholders.org.
- Check references and license status before hiring anyone.
- The squeaky wheel gets paid.
- Yes it is unfair for insurers to sell peace of mind then become your adversary when a large claim comes in but that’s the reality we’re working to change.
- Email us with any questions that come up along the way, and please stay in touch with us on both problems and progress at: info@unitedpolicyholders.org.
United Policyholders is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the State of California and assisting consumers nationwide since 1991. Our tax i.d. number is 94-3162024. We help solve insurance problems and we advocate for fairness in insurance transactions. Our work gets done by paid staff and volunteers. We are funded by a combination of foundation grants and donations. We offer free tips, information and resources at www.unitedpolicyholders.org United Policyholdersí respects and protects the privacy of all individuals who communicate with us.
Resources and Links
Help from a non-profit
www.uphelp.org On our website you will find more information and tips about the claim process. We recommend you start in the Claims Tips section under “Property Damage Claims” and follow the links to our Dwelling Claims Tips, Contents Claims Tips and Depreciation Guide.
Help from the Texas Government
www.tdi.state.tx.us Texas Department of Insurance. The Consumer Resource Page is a great place to start. It lists the disaster centers where you can go to get help and information from many different sources. If you are having trouble with your claim, file a complaint with the Department of Insurance.
Flood Insurance Info:
www.floodsmart.gov National Flood Insurance Program is run by FEMA under the “oversight” of the Department of Homeland Security. The National Flood Insurance Program and Department of Homeland Security are both large beurocracies that can be extremely frusturating to deal with. If need be, contact your congressional representative for help cutting through the red tape and busy signals.
Federal Government Aid Info:
www.FEMA.gov; Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA is an independent agency of the federal government, reporting to the President. Disaster victims who are uninsured or underinsured can apply to FEMA for disaster assistance grants which do not need to be repaid. FEMA also administers the national flood and crime insurance programs.
Texas Wind Insurance Info:
www.twia.org Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policies will have differing deductibles depending on which option you bought. There are 1%, flat options or high deductible options. Visit their website for more information.
Help relating to Repair Contractors:
www.license.state.tx.us Contractors State Licensing Board. Make sure any contractor you hire is licensed in your state.
United Policyholders is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 and dedicated to educating the public on insurance issues and consumer rights. UP publishes educational materials and serves as a resource for individual and business policyholders and residents of communities with insurance problems. UP’s Amicus Project provides information to courts of law to support policyholders’ legal rights. UP unites policyholders and their advocates by sharing information. Write to UP at 110 Pacific Ave., PMB 262, San Francisco, CA. 94111, call us at (510) 763-9740, or visit our website at www.unitedpolicyholders.org.
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