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Help with Domestic Disaster

Just the term 'domestic disaster' is almost an understatement - a bit like 'civil war', there is nothing civil about war and indeed nothing really domestic about disaster.

When disaster strikes you can be forgiven for thinking that you are on your own, even though the nice calming lady on the help desk at the insurance company is assuring you that they will be very quick in settling the claim and 'won't turn a drama into a crisis'.

It's hard to think straight and everybody is in slow motion when you want everything done yesterday. Let us focus on the fact that 'domestic disaster' relates to Fire, Flood or Impact on your home, rendering you temporarily homeless.

Nobody is physically harmed and normality appears to be a long way away.

Number one priority - get your insurance company to find you temporary accommodation that is close enough to work, school and all your other places to which you are accustomed. Ensure you have a phone and your insurance company knows the number.

It may not be explained to you by the insurance company, but your policy might allow you to appoint your own consultant structural engineer or surveyor, provided the costs are reasonable. You may prefer to deploy your own Insurance Claims Management Company.

Needless to say that it is important to get a comprehensive investigation carried out at the outset so that the full implications of the work are taken into account. The insurance company may simply require a couple of estimates and make an approval fairly quickly. Depending on the extent of damage, you might encounter two professionals; a loss adjustor and/or a loss assessor ... who are they?

Loss Adjusters - The insurance claims expert generally appointed by the Insurance Company to act as an intermediary between them and the policy holder. You may be told by the insurance company that the Loss Adjuster is impartial; reality would suggest that because their fees are paid by the Insurance Company they represent their interests. They certainly do not represent the interests of the Claimant, which is you.

Loss Assessor - A Loss Assessor is an insurance claims expert who will normally be appointed by you, the Claimant/Policyholder to represent your interests exclusively. The Loss Assessor will assess the damage and related claims, then present the claim to the Insurance Company and or their Loss Adjuster. They may however conduct all negotiations on your behalf to ensure they receive a fair settlement under the terms of your policy.

Be aware of some independent advice, particularly the ambulance-chasers of the insurance world. Loss assessors can create large and tempting figures but don't take it account problems arising later on in the works. Once an insurance company has settled the claim and closed the file, it will be difficult or even impossible further your claim. Insurance companies own contractors will almost certainly guarantee their work.