Re-open Your Closed Hail Claim
Re-opening Your Closed Hail Damage Claim in Minnesota
Once your insurance company makes the “final” payment and declares your file “closed”, they don’t want to hear from you again. But hear from you again they should, if you are entitled to more money to repair additional damage! Even if your claim was already paid and closed some time ago, it can greatly benefit you to review this information in light of what you have been already paid. If our partnership with you finds that something was overlooked, or developed later, you can and should re-open the claim.
Claims are not easily reopened however. When you call or write the company- it should be reopened, if not, we have a results oriented system to get the ball rolling. We have listed below some of the common reasons to re-open you claim. This list does not by any means, represent all the possible reasons your claim should be reopened or re-inspected.
Common Reasons To Re-open Your Closed Minnesota Hail Damage Claim
• The adjuster worked your claim too quickly and left out necessary repairs.
• You discover new damage, water stains on the ceiling.
• The insurance company didn’t pay enough to get the proper repairs done.
• You incurred additional expenses not originally covered.
• You discover hidden hail damage or storm damage.
• You remember additional personal property damaged.
• You were only paid for part of a project.
• You were not paid sales tax and delivery for materials or otherwise.
• Overhead and Profit were not included in your claim payment. (Hail Damage Glossary)
• After consulting with Berkeshire Exteriors, you realize other payments to you were omitted.
You should start by calling your insurance company. State the facts as you know them explaining the specific reason(s) you believe you are entitled to more money. Ask that someone come out to re-inspect your property. After the storm, your insurance company will be re-opening many claims and doing re-inspections for several months so adding you to the mix should be agreeable. Prepare for the re-inspection just as you would for a new claim. Have us meet the adjuster and follow the specific strategies learned from your hail damage consultant. If you do not get a quick response, consider modifying the following sample letter – send it by certified mail.
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SAMPLE RE-INSPECTION / OPEN CLOSED CLAIM SAMPLE LETTER
XYZ Claim Insurance Company
123 Main Street West
City, State 70000
RE: Insured: Your Name Date: Today’s date
Date of loss: 09-17-09 (Actual Date Of Loss)
Policy #: 123-456-78910 (Your Policy #)
Claim#: 32z 09433298 (Your Claim #)
CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Attention: Mr. William Anderson, Catastrophe Supervisor
Dear Mr. Anderson,
(Amend these paragraphs to fit your situation)
I had my hail claim inspected by the adjuster on 10/4/09. I received a check from your office in the amount of $9,754.34 of 11/1/09. The adjuster told me by telephone that I would be receiving additional information, but made no effort to reach a settlement with me. While it was very difficult to arrange for a contractor to come and inspect my property after the storm, now that I have obtained one, I believe we can conclude this claim.
I have obtained a contractors estimate and hail inspection report of damage. The cost to repair my home is $16,452.00. I am requesting a re-inspection of the damage to my home. Please have an adjuster call me first so that I may arrange for the adjuster to meet with the contractor. Of course I expect your company will comply with all obligations under the policy and all time limits required by law.
Sincerely,
Your name and phone #.
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Give us a call to help arrange for additional components needed in this letter for the best results, including our Certified Hail Damage Inspector’s opinion. Your partnership with us and use of our full portfolio of letters and action plans will re-open your closed claim!
