Claim Guidance Library

Taking it in and Getting Started

• Top 10 Insurance Claim Tips
• Speak UP: How to communicate with your insurance company
• Sample Letter Requesting Complete Copy of Homeowners Policy
• Mold Contamination Insurance Coverage 101: The Basics
• Mobile/Manufactured Home Insurance Claim Tips
• Survivors Speak: Forced Choice Matrix for Decision-making
• Consejos para reclamos de seguros para casas móviles / fabricadas
• What’s UP With Home Insurance Deductibles?

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Arranging Temporary Housing

• Survivors Speak: Additional Living Expense (ALE)/Loss of Use

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Getting Organized

• Organizing Carrier-Specific Disaster Survivor Groups
• General Claim Tips
• Insurance Accounting Spreadsheet
• FAQ’s about Property Damage Insurance Claims
• After a Hurricane – Property Damage FAQs
• Frequently Asked Questions About Property Damage Insurance Claims in Alabama
• What to Do With Checks from Your Insurance Company

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Getting Debris Removed

• Debris Removal After a Partial or Total Loss

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Being Pro-Active in Documenting and Valuing Your Losses

• The Scoop on “Scope” (of loss)
• Xactimate Demystified
• Insurance Recovery Tips for the Dwelling Part of Your Claim
• Reimbursement for Claim Preparation Expenses
• Sample Letter for Requesting Copies of Claim-Related Documents
• Building Code, Ordinance or Law Compliance
• Buy or Rebuild? FAQs on replacing a dwelling after a total loss
• Sample Letter Requesting Inspection, Scoping and Remediation Plan for Wildfire Damaged Structure
• Sample Letter Requesting Re-inspection and Re-testing of a Partially-Damaged Home
• Insurance Coverage for Damaged or Destroyed Septic Systems

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Creating Your Home Inventory and Navigating Your Contents Claim

• 10 tips for settling the contents portion of your claim
• Depreciation Basics
• Sample Letter Asking for a Personal Property Claim Settlement
• Survivors Speak: Strategies for preparing your home inventory

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Making Financial Decisions

• Updating your home insurance after a loss…Staying protected without wasting money
• Getting Your Mortgage Company To Release Insurance Proceeds
• Tax Tips for Disaster Survivors
• Underinsurance 101
• Tax Information for Disaster Survivors
• What to Do With Checks from Your Insurance Company

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Choosing a Contractor

• Survivors Speak: Working With Your Contractor
• Guidelines For Reviewing Adjusters’ And Contractors’ Estimates
• What’s UP with Overhead and Profit?

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Working with Your Mortgage Company

• Getting Your Mortgage Company To Release Insurance Proceeds
• Sample Letter Requesting Mortgage Company Release Insurance Proceeds

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Getting Help If/When You Need It

• A Policyholders Guide to Mediation
• Examinations Under Oath – “EUO”
• Hiring an Attorney for an Insurance Claim
• Insurance Appraisal Simplified
• Making the Best Choice When Hiring a Public Adjuster
• Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Public Adjuster
• Hiring Professional Help for an Insurance Claim

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Overcoming Obstacles

• Policyholders Can Win in Appraisal
• Sample Letter Requesting Claim Payment History
• Resolving Claim Disputes
• Using social media to be the squeaky wheel
• Belly UP: Navigating a claim when your insurer becomes “insolvent”
• Sample Letter to Collect Policy Benefits for Building Code Upgrades (non-CA)
• Sample Letter Requesting Retroactive Increase of Your Dwelling Limit

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