Keeping Claims Low

6/15/2021 (Permalink)

One major debate when there is water damage in homes and businesses whether a claim should be opened. Many insurance agents give us a call, stating that there's a water damage in their insured's property and they are unsure if they should open up the claim. Although claims make the process of water restoration easier for us and the insured, it is never the ideal decision to make initially. Opening up a claim and help alleviate an unexpected bill, when water and fire emergencies can cost thousands of dollars, but they can in the long run raise rates. According to Policygenius, a single claim can cause homeowners insurance rates to go up by as much as 7-10%, and potentially more for business owners.

The most effective solution that we have found in our experience with many claims, is for us to inspect the property before there is a claim. Some claims are smaller and might not even exceed the cost of the insurance deducible. Many policy owners set high deductibles so that they may save the most on their monthly insurance bill. As professionals, it is our mission to be a resource when people need our services. Our transparency shows when we go to see the damage; if the damage is small we can advise on how to properly clean up the damage. If the damage is larger, we can work together on pricing so that you don't have to break the bank.

A couple of weeks ago, there was a business owner that gave us a call which specializes in enhancing the lighting for retail businesses. The valve in a sink leaked, damaging a small portion of drywall in their warehouse. The business owner expressed to us that they felt uneasy about opening a claim, since their high deductible could affect their ability to buy new inventory. Our firm was able to work with the insured on pricing and set up some equipment to dry the walls to proper standards. We're happy to have helped this business owner during their time of need!