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Many people who have claims have no problems with their insurance. Why the Insurance Adjuster chose our dad to give a hard time to we have no idea. The following are things we've learned throughout his ordeal. Steps that might save someone a lot of trouble in the event of a housefire. If you have something to add, please go to the comments page and we will post it.
Be prepared - check your insurance policy Make sure your covered for the value of your property. The cost to replace goes up continuously.
Make sure you understand everything on your policy. It's your insurance broker or agent's job to clearly explain everything on your policy. Get everything in writing. Reporting your woodstove is not enough, make sure it's on your policy. Even if the fire is not started by the woodstove, it will probably be blamed because it's there.
Make a copy of all your important documents and keep them in a safe place other than your home. Once you make a claim your file is locked up and you are not allowed to look at it.
Complete the home inventory form and keep records of all your belongings. This is a lot easier to fill out if you have the items in front of you.
If you do make a claim: Fill out the forms as soon as possible, nothing gets started until they receive these.
If you do need to contact a lawyer, don't tell your adjuster he won't talk to again. Go public, call your MLA and Insurance Ombudsman. Insurance Companies don't like bad publicity.
The Fire Investigator and Insurance Adjuster work for the Insurance Company, not you.
You won't be able to see the Fire Investigators report, it is their property. If you want to get your own Fire Investigation done it will cost you up to $10,000.00.
A lawyer told us that once you die your case is closed. They no longer have to pay. My dad was 81, the lawyer also told us he was lucky he got anything. Time means nothing to the Insurance Company.
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