If your property has recently been damaged and you believe these damages should be covered by your insurance policy, you may be surprised to find your insurance provider presenting you with a settlement that seems far too low. This can be stressful and confusing to work with, but fortunately, you are allowed an insurance negotiation to dispute the offer from your provider.
Here are three of the top tips for navigating an insurance negotiation:
- Work with a public adjuster. Hiring an independent public adjuster is the best thing you can do for negotiating a higher settlement. They advocate for you, not the insurance provider. With your interests in mind, they work to be fair in all negotiations, assessments, and appraisals to get you the money for your damaged property that your insurance policy guarantees.
- Don’t assume you have to accept a first offer. Chances are, you’re in an insurance negotiation situation to dispute a low settlement, but it’s still important to note that you are not required to accept the first settlement offer that your insurance provider presents. It’s common for a provider to low-ball their initial offer in hopes that you won’t try to negotiate for more, but you don’t have to accept this offer if you feel it is unfair.
- Be prepared. An insurance negotiation will be filled with questions and conversations about your property’s damages, how it was damaged, and what the costs will be to repair those damages. Come to the negotiation with as much evidence as possible for why you deserve a higher settlement. This evidence includes quotes for repair services, bills for any services already performed, and any other additional information relating to your property damages or loss.
Don’t navigate an insurance negotiation on your own. Call us here at Santex Public Adjusters today for a team that cares about you getting fair compensation for your damaged property.