The most recent natural disaster to hit the media is the California wildfire. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire protection, this has been the biggest recorded wildfire in 2018. It has been recorded that 87 people have been killed and properties worth millions have been damaged. It has already destroyed more than 600 houses from Calabasas to Malibu.
Homeowners in Los Angeles are facing a lot of property damage. It is sad to say this, but the damage has already been done. So what are the next steps for recovering?
When it comes to property damage, the five elements can do a lot of harm. This means there are times when fires, hurricanes, storms, tornadoes, and even tsunamis make our lives a living nightmare. One thing is for sure; we cannot control nature. But what do you do when your property is indeed damaged? How do you protect yourself and your family?
The Top Tips to Help Make Your Home Livable Again
This article is going to look at some of the ways which may help you out. You should, therefore, bookmark the following steps to minimize damage and the overall impact.
1. Inspect the damage
Natural disasters cannot be avoided. You may definitely suffer a big loss, and another terrible part is the possibility that no one may show up to help for the next several weeks. And by no one, I mean your insurance company.
Before you do any type of repairs, it is best to assess what has been done. You can go ahead and hire a professional to help too.
Moreover, a professional will also be able to analyse the problems which lay underneath. You might be surprised that there is more damage than what you see.
It is good to always be careful. You should assess the amount of damage after the disaster has passed fully. This is to ensure that no risk will be endured and that the assessment can be performed safely.
2. Document damage done
You may have seen the extent of damage the California wildfires have done. Media across the US (and even the world) has been covering the whole thing. But most homeowners should take it upon themselves to document the damage done to their own individual property.
So what do you document? Well, some people tend to document everything. You might be surprised that some disaster documents are over 250 pages long.
However, your document does not have to be that long or complicated. You can hire a contractor who can record everything for you.
You can take photos and videos. These go a long way to ensure that you have proof.
3. Contact your insurance company
In most cases, insurance companies take their time to assess the damage. However, before you make that phone call to them, you will need to file the proper paperwork. And that is why I keep insisting that people should always document everything.
The process of getting an insurance claim can be a heinous one. There are some insurance companies which do not offer any coverage when your home or property is damaged by natural disasters.
If your insurance company can offer you any sort of coverage, then you should read their policies very carefully. You have to be ready to answer questions and provide proof of everything. You can go ahead and provide pictures and videos that you took.
On most occasions, an insurance company will insist on inspecting the home on their own. Thus, an adjuster will be called upon. You should insist that your contractor is there when the adjuster is going through his process. This is to ensure that they will give a fair and just assessment.
The final judgement of the assessor is what will determine whether your claim is going to be approved or not.
So this begs the question: Can your claim be denied? The adjuster holds your home’s fate in his or her hands. But it is good to note that you are entitled to three adjusters to assess your home. Hiring a firm like Miller Public Adjusters is one of the many things you can do to make sure you get the right amount on your claim.
Once your claim has been approved, you can go ahead and get materials for rebuilding. A contractor will become your best friend during this trying time. They will give you the required tips, and help you get through the process efficiently.
