To all my friends going through hurricane recovery (and feel free to share with your neighbors), a few hints as you file your insurance claim on electrical or mechanical (HVAC) damage:
1) Don’t throw it out without a written release from your adjuster. Don’t just take a verbal release. In storms such as this adjusters move around frequently and you may have 5 or 6 before your done. Always: IN WRITING. Keep the stuff you save safe from further damage. Cover it, tarp it, keep it as dry as possible.
2) if urgent repairs need to be made, do not let the contractor remove anything from site. Keep all old parts at the location they were installed.
3) 3rd party inspections are part of standard procedure. Do not feel you are being “picked” on or “accused of wrong doing.” A good portion of the purpose of 3rd party inspections is to get information to properly price replacement and repairs.
4) Cooperate with inspection times. If you are the person demanding after 5pm or on a weekend, you are going to wait. Remember, your policies include language regarding inspection of damages during business hours with reasonable notice. Your insurance company can deny payment if you do not cooperate.
5) Save all receipts for immediate repairs.
6) and this should go without saying: Don’t try to include the washing machine that broke in 2000, the stereo that you had when you were 18., and the TV that is Analog that you have had in your attic since they did away with analog TV’s. You are just making it more difficult for all and delaying your progress.
7) If a contractor tells you, ‘it’s just really old, but since there was a hurricane (or CAT storm) nearby we can just replace it and the insurance company will pay”, find a new contractor. There is no such law or policy.
8. The inspectors and adjusters visiting you following the storm are on a tight schedule. Having to wait 30+ minutes to get home from the quick errand you had to run in your appointment time puts them behind. And, at the end of the day they will probably have to cancel their last appointment which hurts someone else. We cannot safely do our jobs in a storm area after dark. Too many nails, snakes, wires, to work safely. Please Please please be available during your scheduled time.
9. Remember, price gouging is illegal. Insurance companies do not pay “hurricane rates” to contractors, and neither should you.
These are just a few hints. And, because I have to say it: The above thoughts are my own from years of experience in disaster areas. These do not always represent the thoughts of my employer.