Be Prepared Preparation is essential for every aspect of life. One thing that is perpetually in the depths of people’s minds is the idea of insurance claims. Hopefully, an insurance claim never occurs. However, you have bought a policy for this very reason: just in case something happens. Unfortunately, an insurance claim is almost inevitable, especially in high-risk regions such as the Midwest and along the coasts. When, not if, the time to file an insurance claim comes, having a policy is not enough.
The most common types of insurance claims are wind and hail. These are objectively easier to navigate and do not require as much preparation. Fire claims, although less frequent, are exponentially more devastating. According to the Insurance Information Institute, “about one in 350 insured homes has a property damage claim related to fire and lightning.” Putting these odds into perspective legitimizes the need to take extra time and energy to be prepared if a claim were to occur. Here are some pre-loss preparations you can participate in to give you a jumpstart if a claim happens: Make sure you have your current Full Certified Policy. This is important for many reasons that many people do not think about when a claim occurs. You may be in possession of a Declaration Sheet already, given or emailed to you by your agent when you purchased your policy. This is only a summary of your coverage. The Full Certified Policy explains, in detail, how your property is covered, why it is covered, what is excluded, how it is excluded, and so on. This