CLAIMS

First do your best to try to minimize continuing damage. Any expense you incur in your attempt to prevent further loss is reimbursable so hold onto your receipts.

If you need additional assistance, I’m available to help walk you through the process.

You can reach me directly at (706) 851-7110. Feel free to cal or text.

Have Pertinent Information Available

Try to have pertinent information available. If you have your policy number, dates, times, location, affected persons name and contact information this will speed up the process. The claims representative will give you a claim number. Use this number in all correspondence.

Depending on the type of loss, an adjuster will schedule a visit to survey the damage. Remember to write down their name and contact phone number. If the damage is relatively minor they may ask for photos and a receipt.

Most church insurance policies are written on a “replacement cost” basis. This means you will receive the current cost to replace the items that were damaged, lost or stolen. There may be times the adjuster will immediately send a check for the depreciated value and follow it up with the difference once the item is replaced or repaired.

You ask why not send the full amount immediately?

Because the policy pays the full replacement value once the item is repaired or replaced. If the item is never replaced the company is not under obligation to pay the full value.

Let me give you an example: You notice your neighbor’s roof being replaced. In talking with him he states he had hail damage form the storm two weeks ago. You decide to call your company and sure enough the grains from your asphalt shingles were severely wiped away.

Your company pays you for the roof. However, it’s not leaking and Christmas in is three weeks so you spent the money on presents.

Next February a strong wind blows and a large section of your shingles from your roof are in the neighbors yard. You call your insurance company and they discover your roof was never replaced. Had it been replaced with new shingles it would not have blown off.

This is why some claims are paid the depreciated amount first. Once replaced they promptly pay the full replacement amount.

In situations where the amount of money is too much of a burden for the customer to pay it can be arranged to pay the provider, repair company or vender directly.

The intent is not to burden the customer but to make sure the items are replaced.