Once you’ve filed a claim with your insurance company, you are officially in the pre-litigation/pre-suit phase.  This phase is consequential for many reasons, which we’ll discuss below and moving forward.  At this stage, it is important to recognize that this is the time and opportunity for you – the insured claimant – to put your best foot forward.  An insurance company will investigate the claim thoroughly and ultimately issue a decision on your claim (also known as a “claims determination”).

            The investigation is an important step in making sure your claim is processed properly.  An insurance company need two things (and sometimes more depending on the complexity of the claim): (1) Request for claim information; and (2) Schedule an inspection.

            In the last section, we discussed the importance of properly reporting your claim, because that forms the foundation of your damages.  We also explored real world consequences on what’s reported.  The main idea is to be accurate and precise when sharing the details of your loss and damages.

            Once you’ve provided this information to your insurance company, they will schedule an inspection.  In most cases, an insurance company will only schedule one inspection with one field adjuster or independent adjuster.  A field adjuster/independent adjuster is an experienced professional who will document based on their visual observations.

            It is very helpful if the person with the most knowledge of the claim is present when the adjuster comes for inspection.  If you are that person, then you will be able to highlight all the damages you think occurred from the reported loss.  This will help the adjuster document damages that they would have otherwise missed.

            It is especially important you do this if the damages you have affect any personal belongings, contents, furniture, or any custom or expensive items (e.g. custom cabinetry, furniture, marble tiling, etc.).  If you have any receipts or invoices for your belongings or furniture you believe was affected by the loss, this is a great time to let the adjuster know.  It is also really helpful to be very nice and courteous to the adjuster, because they will play a vital role in the claims adjustment.  Offer them juice or chocolate and allow them to take as much time as they need to inspect the loss.