Theft is very common. In fact, recent FBI data suggests that a theft or burglary occurs every 35 seconds in the United States. That’s why it is important to know how of file a theft insurance claim if you are a victim. Here is what you can expect.
Prepare Early
It’s never too early to prepare for filing an insurance claim of any type. That’s why Aftermath Adjusters & Consulting recommends that everyone take an inventory of their personal property. This should include:
- Room-by-room inventory
- Photos or videos
- Serial numbers
- Purchase receipts
- Warranties
- Value of items
Be sure to catalog everything in your home. Often missed items include jewelry, art, collectibles, guns, knives, gas logs, and rarely-used items stored in the garage, attic, or outbuildings.
First Steps
Once you have experienced theft, it is time to take action. You should immediately:
- Contact the police
- File a police report once you’ve taken inventory of the property damage and/or loss
- Call your insurance company and report the claim
- Take photos of all damage
- Provide access to your home to your insurance company’s adjuster
Filing the Claim
When filing the claim, your inventory sheet will come in handy. Use it to determine what is missing or damaged, and then file a claim.
When filing a claim include the following about the damaged or missing items:
- Purchase date
- Purchase location
- Original purchase cost
- Brand
- Model
Be aware that you should not dispose of any damaged property until your insurance company’s adjuster has seen it. They may need to verify the damage before settling the claim.
Claims Adjuster
In most cases, a claims adjuster will come to your home to investigate and/or inspect your claim before they make a payment. This investigation and inspection will help them determine additional documentation they need and assess damages.
- Document all conversations you have with the insurance adjuster. This should include date, time, and the name of the person you interacted with
- Keep a copy of all documentation for your records
- Consider calling a public adjuster if you have trouble with your claim
The Final Step
The last step of the process is the settlement. During this process, your insurance company provides you with a check to cover the lost or damaged property. The amount of this check depends on:
- Policy coverage amounts – Some policies place limits on personal property or have sublimits on specific types of personal property
- Deductible – the amount you must pay out of pocket for each claim occurrence
- Depreciation – if you do not have replacement cash value coverage, the payout depends on the current value of the items missing or damaged
At Aftermath Adjusters & Consulting, we understand that filing a theft claim is not easy. From the documentation needed to prove your case to the negotiations with the insurance company, stress surrounds the entire process. If you have suffered a theft and need to file a theft claim, give us a call. We have the expertise needed to file the claim and get you the settlement you deserve. Call us today – we’re here to help.