tace
210-632-4061
[email protected]
TO CLAIM OR NOT TO CLAIM
Quite often contactors are asked whether or not a home owner should file a claim for damages from a storm. Unfortunately, the answer can be just as ambiguous as the question.
If there are significant and obvious damages, and especially damages that can lead to further damages, and the extent of the damage is obviously in excess of the deductible, it would seem reasonable to file a claim immediately.
The problem of deciding whether to file comes when things aren’t so obvious. A good example is when there is damage but the homeowner is not sure of the costs to repair. This is best addressed with the aid of a reputable and insurance experienced contractor who can do a quick assessment and rough pricing to ascertain the probable cost so it may be compared to the deductible.
Another issue arises when the damages, such as hail damages to a roof, must be quantified and the severity determined. A broken window is indeed a broken window; an obvious damage. Hail damage to a roof or other structure can be more ambiguous and can create a considerable discrepancy in evaluations. A contractor can give his best intended opinion, but that opinion may be for the homeowner to decide based on what is found including photos etc. When the damages are not so clear cut it is strictly a personal decision.
Bottom line; if the damages are not obvious and in excess of the deductible, a contractor evaluation is a good call. However, in all cases it is the homeowners' exclusive decision to file or not to file based on the best information obtainable.
If there are significant and obvious damages, and especially damages that can lead to further damages, and the extent of the damage is obviously in excess of the deductible, it would seem reasonable to file a claim immediately.
The problem of deciding whether to file comes when things aren’t so obvious. A good example is when there is damage but the homeowner is not sure of the costs to repair. This is best addressed with the aid of a reputable and insurance experienced contractor who can do a quick assessment and rough pricing to ascertain the probable cost so it may be compared to the deductible.
Another issue arises when the damages, such as hail damages to a roof, must be quantified and the severity determined. A broken window is indeed a broken window; an obvious damage. Hail damage to a roof or other structure can be more ambiguous and can create a considerable discrepancy in evaluations. A contractor can give his best intended opinion, but that opinion may be for the homeowner to decide based on what is found including photos etc. When the damages are not so clear cut it is strictly a personal decision.
Bottom line; if the damages are not obvious and in excess of the deductible, a contractor evaluation is a good call. However, in all cases it is the homeowners' exclusive decision to file or not to file based on the best information obtainable.