There is no doubt that damage to your home will bring devastation, chaos and stress to your life but luckily GULF’s Homeowner’s Insurance Policy can save the day. It is unfortunate but some events such as natural disasters cannot be avoided.
WHAT TO DO AFTER YOUR HOME HAS SUSTAINED DAMAGE?
1) Ensure Safety
Whether your home sustained damage due to a fire, flood or natural disaster, the aftermath of the event can pose several threats. Electrical lines can also be left exposed which can lead to further risks. It is advisable to ensure that all members of the home has suffered no injuries and depending on the extent of the damage, it is advisable to stay elsewhere until an inspection of the home is performed.
2) Document Damage Sustained
Photos or videos should be taken if possible of the damage sustained and if necessary a list of damaged items should be created to ensure that all losses are accounted for. Ensure that you document any potential hazards such as mold, damaged plumbing and exposed electrical lines.
3) Secure Your Property
Every insurance policy requires you to take reasonable action to minimise loss to your property. This can sometimes be quite simple such as turning off your water supply when you discover a burst tap. After the sustenance of any damage, here are a few steps that you could take to secure your property:
- If there are any smoulders, then the fire department should be contacted at once to minimise loss.
- You should also consider placing a chain link around your property if necessary to avoid larceny and vandalism.
- Keep a close eye on your property and contact the relevant parties should you see any potential hazards.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as you can.
REPORTING YOUR CLAIM
You should contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report your loss whether communication is done through e-mail, phone etc. The following documents are often necessary for the processing of a claim;
1). Completed claim form with particulars such as date, time and description of incident.
2). Photographs to assist with the investigation
3). Estimate for repairs
AFTER SETTLEMENT
After your claim has been processed and settled, it is advisable to re-evaluate your insurance policy. If your home was underinsured, it would be wise to have a valuation done after repairs so that a policy with an adequate sum insured can then be purchased.
If you are not sure how to go about this, we at GULF are happy to assist.