Exposure to the elements can sometimes damage a home with aluminum siding. When such damage occurs, the homeowner may need to file a claim. To do this, you will need to gather as much information about the damage as possible. The claim process will go a lot smoother if you are fully prepared. Lack of information can delay the claim.
Instructions
1. Call your homeowners insurance company and ask for the claims department. Tell the representative that you will need to file a claim for damage to the siding on your home. The representative will ask for your name, address and policy number. Find out or disclose the cause of the damage to the best of your ability. The claims representative will forward your information on to a claims adjuster.
2. Wait for the adjuster's report. In the meantime, claims adjuster will begin the investigation process. The adjuster will gather more information about the damage to your home. He may call you to get more details and specific information. He will examine your insurance policy to make sure you are in fact covered for the damage. If you are covered, the company will make an assessment about the damage and determine the costs involved to repair or replace the siding on your home. Each case is handled independently, so it is hard to determine exactly how long the process will take. Eventually, the adjuster will put in a request to have a check for the costs prepared.
3. Wait for the check to arrive. The claims check, for the damages, will be mailed directly to you if the loss is less than a certain amount. In some cases, if the check is $3,000 or less, you will receive a check payable to you alone. Checks in excess of this amount will be made payable to you and the mortgage company (if you have a balance on your mortgage). This process, including the amounts, can vary from insurance company to insurance company. If the check fails to cover the losses, you have the option of hiring a public adjuster and challenging the amount submitted by the insurance company. The insurance company pays any expenses incurred by using a public adjuster. A public adjuster works for the you, not the insurance company.
4. Select your home repair service or company. You will be able to choose the company of your choice to have the work done. Make sure you get some basic information about any company you have not done business with and have no information about. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the company has any customer complaints.
Tags: insurance company, information about, your home, about damage, adjuster will
