NAIC Offers Tips to Expedite Your Insurance Claim
NAIC Offers Tips to Expedite Your Insurance Claim
Filing an insurance claim can seem like an overwhelming task, but it does not have to be. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has put together the following tips to help policyholders facilitate the process:
Know your policy - Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. Know the terms of that contract, including what's covered, what's excluded and the amount of any deductibles.
File claims as soon as possible - Call your agent or your insurer's claims hotline as soon as possible. Your policy might require notification within a certain time frame.
Provide complete, correct information, including city, state and ZIP, such as Chantilly 20151, South Riding 20152 and Aldie 20105 (Stone Ridge) - Be certain to give your insurance company all the information they need. Incorrect or incomplete information will only cause a delay in processing your claim.
Keep copies of all correspondence - Write down information about your telephone and in-person contacts, including the date, name and title of the person you spoke with and what was said. Also, keep a record of your time and expenses.
Ask questions - If there is a disagreement about the claim settlement, ask the insurer for the specific language in the policy that explains the reason why the claim was settled in that manner. If this disagreement results in a claim denial, make sure you obtain a written letter explaining the reason for the denial and the specific policy language under which the claim is being denied. If you have a dispute with your insurer about the amount or terms of the claim settlement, you should contact your state insurance department for assistance.
Make temporary repairs to protect property from further damage - Your auto/homeowners policy might require you to make temporary repairs. If possible, take photographs or video of the damage before making such repairs. Your policy should cover the cost of temporary repairs, so keep all receipts. Also, maintain any damaged personal property for the adjuster to inspect.
Don't make permanent repairs - An insurance company may deny a claim if you make permanent repairs before the damage has been inspected.
Try to determine what it will cost to repair your property before you meet with the claims adjuster - Provide the claims adjuster with records of any improvements you made to your property. Ask the claims adjuster for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer.
Don't rush into a settlement - If the first offer made by an insurance company does not meet your expectations, be prepared to negotiate. If you have any questions regarding the fairness of your settlement, seek professional advice.
Labels: Aldie 20105 Homeowners Insurance, Aldie 20105 Property Insurance, Brambleton 20148 Homeowners Insurance, Brambleton 20148 Property Insurance, Loudoun Property Insurance, loudoun-homeowners-insurance
Candle Fires Present a Burning Problem
Candle Fires Present a Burning Problem
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that in 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available, candles caused at least 15,600 home fires (Property / Homeowners Insurance losses), accounting for 4 percent of all reported home fires that year. These fires resulted in an estimated 150 deaths, 1,270 injuries and direct property losses totaling $539 million, including in Fairfax (Chantilly) and Loudoun Counties (South Riding) - ZIP 20151, 20152, 20147, 20148, 20105, 20170, 20171, 20120, 20121, 20175, 20176 etc.
Most common causes of candle fires:
-50 percent were caused when combustible material was placed too close to a lit candle.
-18 percent were caused when a lit candle was left unattended.
-12 percent were caused when someone fell asleep while a candle was still burning.
NFPA data shows that 38 percent of all reported candle fires started in the bedroom. However, the living room, family room, and den were most often the scene of deaths caused by candle-related fires. Why is the number of candle-related fires so high? It has grown in direct proportion to the increase in candle usage in this country. The National Candle Association (NCA) estimates U.S. retail sales of candles at approximately $2 billion annually, excluding sales of candle accessories.
www.south-riding-insurance.comTo help keep consumers safe while enjoying their candles, the NCA offers the following tips:
- Keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
- Move burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.
- Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
- Trim candlewicks to ¼ inch each time before burning.
- Use a candleholder that is heat resistant, sturdy and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
- Place the candleholder on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
- Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.
- Don't burn a candle longer than the manufacturer recommends.
- Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents, ceiling fans and air currents to prevent rapid, uneven burning, and avoid flame flare-ups.
- Burn candles in a well-ventilated room.
- Stop burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains or ½ inch if in a container.
- Never touch a burning candle or move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquid.
- Never use a knife or sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass holder because it might scratch, weaken, or cause the glass to break upon subsequent use.
- Use a candlesnuffer to extinguish a candle so hot wax doesn't splatter.
- Never extinguish candles with water because it may cause the hot wax to splatter.
- Use flashlights and other battery-powered lights during a power failure.
- Make sure a candle is completely extinguished and the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room.
- Extinguish a candle if it smokes, flickers repeatedly, or the flame becomes too high.
- Never use a candle as a night-light.
www.loudoun-insurance.comLabels: Ashburn homeowners insurance, Ashburn Property Insurance, Leesburg Homeowners Insurance, Leesburg Property Insurance, Loudoun homeowners insurance, Loudoun Property Insurance
