DON’T Piecemeal Estimates to Your Insurance Carrier!

By Benjamin Goss, MBA

Well, let’s sit down and have a chat about something I’ve seen come up more times than I can count – the mistake of submitting estimates for storm damage claims piece by piece to an insurance carrier. Now, I know you’re doing your best to get everything sorted out after a storm. It’s a challenging time, and it’s natural to want to address each part of the damage as it comes to light. But here’s the thing, when it comes to dealing with insurance companies, sometimes what seems logical just isn’t the most effective way to proceed.

Imagine you’re at a buffet. You’ve got your plate, and you keep going back for more, bit by bit. A scoop of mashed potatoes here, a slice of roast beef there. It seems harmless, right? But think about it from the perspective of the person running the buffet. They’re trying to keep track of what’s been dished out, what needs to be refilled, and if they need to bring out more food. The more you return, the more chaotic it becomes.

Now, apply this to your storm damage claim. Each time you submit a separate estimate, it’s like you’re going back to the buffet line. The insurance adjuster has to reassess your claim, look at the new damage, figure out how it fits with the old damage, and so on. It’s like trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle while someone keeps giving you new pieces.

So, here’s the core of it: Insurance companies thrive on structure. They like to know all the details upfront, analyze them, and then make a decision. When they’re given information piece by piece, it throws them off. It’s harder for them to reach a conclusion about the total cost of the damage, and it creates a bottleneck. Suddenly, the claims process, which should be a steady stream, becomes a staccato series of starts and stops.

But here’s the kicker – this isn’t just frustrating for the insurance company. It’s also potentially damaging for you. The confusion and delays can lead to a slower settlement, discrepancies in your claim, and even denial of parts of your claim. It’s better for you, and the entire claims process, if you can submit a comprehensive estimate from the start.

I hope you’re seeing the bigger picture here. This isn’t about making things easier for the insurance company – it’s about ensuring your claim is handled as effectively and efficiently as possible. Don’t serve up your claim like a buffet. Instead, think of it like a fine dining experience – all courses served at once for the best result. Have you had experiences with piecemeal claim submissions? Or do you need guidance on how to navigate this tricky buffet line? Drop us a line. We’re here to help.