Minnesota Insurance Check List


Being prepared with a general knowledge base and understanding of key insurance concepts “before” calling your insurance company to file a claim can save you time, reduce the associated stress of the situation and even make you look more credible to your insurance agent. Being organized will help you throughout the entire restoration process. Not having to stress about the claim process and the restoration process helps you stay focused on more important things…like your family and getting things back to normal as quickly as possible.

Things You Must Know Before Contacting Your Insurance Company

  • Record the exact date and approximate time your home or business incurred the damages from the storm.

  • Have a list prepared detailing what has been damaged. Your agent will want to know the general areas of the property that have been damaged such as; the roof, siding, gutters etc.

  • To achieve a more thorough evaluation from your insurance adjuster it’s always a good idea to mention both wind and hail damage. This will force the adjuster to look for the less evident wind damage more carefully.

  • For new construction know the year your home was built or know the year you has the roof, siding or gutters replaced. Know the year that your home was built. The age of your home or the year the building materials were last replaced will be used in the “formula” the adjuster uses to calculate the amount the insurance company will pay out. Depreciation and aging of the building materials play a significant part in the formula so be sure to provide accurate dates.

  • Before the insurance adjuster inspects your property have an experienced and qualified hail damage expert inspect your home and prepare an estimate of the damage. Choose a reputable restoration company that will stand behind their evaluation and will also attend the inspection by the insurance adjuster.

  • Have your current home mortgage information and other primary lien holder’s information available. To save time and guard against mistakes, make sure the insurance adjuster has this information to prevent paper work errors down the road. Your primary lender will be listed as an endorsee on your check, if the lender information is incorrect your check will not be cashable and will slow up payments.

  • If any personal property has sustained damage prepare an estimate and document the replacement cost of the damaged items. Research the replacement costs at your local retail outlets and prepare a list for the adjuster. If you have the original sales receipts provide those to the adjustor as well. They will often use that information to conduct their own replacement value research.

  • Morning adjustment appointments are the absolute best time to schedule with the insurance adjustor. Avoiding the late afternoon adjustment appointment means your insurance adjusters will be fresh and well rested, the air temperature is not too hot yet and more importantly, the shingles won’t be too hot to touch. Imagine being an adjustor and having to climb up on ladders, walking across steep scorching hot roofs and then trying to keep a positive attitude while preparing your claim estimate! Give yourself the best chance and schedule a morning appointment.


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Other area offices:

Iowa
877-788-4290
319-243-4500		 N. Dakota
877-788-4290		 S. Dakota
877-788-4290		 Wisconsin
877-788-4290