What you need to know to file an insurance claim

Now's the time for homeowners to settle insurance claims, but if you've never filed a claim, you may not know where to start.
Damage estimates are changing daily as more homeowners realize how much they really lost. The South Carolina Insurance News Service conducted a survey and found insurers anticipate more than 25 million dollars in claims as a result of the fires. So far, more than 100 claims were filed.
Rod deloach is an insurance adjustor for State Farm Insurance Company. He's surveying sites for policy holders in hopes to getting them back on their feet as soon as possible.
"Some homes escaped with minor damage. But, a majority of our homes have burned down to the ground,” said deloach.
As of Wednesday, 70 homes were completely destroyed and 100 damaged. "It's pretty challenging, let me say that,” said deloach. “It's pretty challenging because this is what we're faced with and we just have to do our best to help everybody recover from the unexpected, that's what here to do."
Nobody is more appreciative of what they do than Debby Green. Green lost her Barefoot Landing home in the fire. She said it's a miracle from God that her husband realized they needed to leave. "It was raining embers, you know, how flaming embers and we realized that our backyard was in flames and probably our house," said Green.
Green said they put important papers in what they thought, was a fire-proof safe. “If you have anything like pictures of your love and your valuables, take pictures of them, but also get a safe deposit box somewhere else off site--because Doug had a wonderful system for filing things and that wonderful system is now ashes."
So if you need to file a claim, here are a few steps to take:
• Locate your insurance policy, name and telephone number of insurance agent and keep this information with you.
• Survey damages before contacting insurance agent or company.
• Call your insurance agent as soon as possible to file a claim.
• Prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Make two copies—one for yourself and one for the adjuster. Your list should be as complete as possible, including a description of the items, dates of purchase or approximate age, cost at time of purchase and estimated replacement cost. Collect canceled checks, invoices, receipts or other papers that will assist the adjuster in obtaining the value of the destroyed property.
• If it is safe to access the area, take photographs of the damaged property. Visual documentation will help with the claims process and will assist the adjuster in the investigation.
• Make whatever temporary repairs you can. Cover broken windows and damaged roofs and walls to prevent further destruction. Save the receipts for any supplies and materials you purchase as your insurance company will reimburse you for reasonable expenses in making temporary repairs.
• Secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs to your home or business from a licensed contractor and give it to the adjuster. The estimate should contain the proposed repairs, repair costs and replacement prices.
• If your home is severely damaged and you need to find other accommodations while repairs are being made, keep a record of all expenses, such as hotel and restaurant receipts, as these may be covered by the Additional Living Expenses section of your homeowner’s policy.
• The most serious losses will be given priority.

SOURCE: South Carolina Insurance News Service