Our office staff would be more than happy to help you with any claim issues that might arise. Because we work with many different insurance companies, all claims are to be reported directly to your insurance company. Your insurance company’s contact information can be found on your identification card, but if you have lost this information, please do not hesitate to contact our office so we can get it to you. Because we realize that sometimes claims happen after office hours, please use the guide below as a reference for how to react to a claim. Our office does not work directly with claims, but are willing to help with any questions you may have while working with your insurance company.
Q: I’ve been in an accident—what now?
A: Start by reporting your claim to your insurance carrier. They need to know:
- When the accident occurred.
- Where the accident occurred (be as specific as possible).
- How the accident happened.
- What kind of vehicle or vehicles (including the year, make, and model).
- A description of the damage on each vehicle.
- The names and contact information of people involved in the accident.
- The extent of any injuries to people involved in the accident.
- The names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident.
- The name of the law enforcement agency that responded and the police report number, if police were contacted.
Q: I have damage to my property—what now?
A: Call your insurance carrier and let them know:
- When the incident occurred.
- A general description of what happened.
- The location of the damaged property and what was damaged.
- The condition of the home and if it is still livable.
- If temporary repairs are needed.
- If the fire or police department was contacted, which department responded and any report number.
- Your contact information and the best time to reach you.
Q: Do I need to protect my home from further damage?
A: Yes, once it is safe to do so, it is your responsibility to protect your property from further damage.
- Arrange for reasonable temporary repairs such as boarding up broken windows, covering the roof, and removing debris.
- Keep a list of any temporary repairs you make to document the damage, and make sure to save your receipts.
- If possible, place damaged items in a secure area where they can be inspected. If you are unsure about an item, include it with the property damage.
- If you have fire or smoke damage, do not try to clean the damaged items. Sometimes cleaning things without the proper equipment can cause more damage.
