Insurance claims are inevitable in the face of a disaster. Each year people file billions of dollars in insurance claims.

What should you expect?

When damage to an area is extensive, as in the case of Hurricane Ike, you can expect lengthy waits for your insurance company to even get an adjuster out to your property for an assessment of the damage. An insurance claim should be filed immediately, however. Most insurance companies have a time limit, such as 30 day from the event, for you to file a claim.

Once you have notified your insurance company regarding your claim, they will put you in a queue for an insurance adjuster to visit your property to look over the damage or loss. The insurance adjuster working on your claim may not be an actual employee of your insurance company. Many insurance companies hire contractors in the event of a large area of damage and loss. Even if the adjuster is not an employee of your insurance company, the adjuster should have proper identification.

You can help the adjuster assess your insurance claim by providing any pictures or video taken of the damage to your contents and property. If you have an inventory listing of your contents, you should provide a copy to your insurance claim adjuster. This will help the adjuster in her assessment.

After the Adjuster

Once an adjuster has visited your property and made an assessment of the damage for your insurance claim, the adjuster will file a report with your insurance company. The insurance company will then process the report and should pay your claim if they act in good faith and your damage or loss is covered by your policy.

Insurance claims process takes a greater amount of time when the damage to an area is greater. It can take months to get your insurance claim processed. There may be laws in your state governing the processing of insurance claims. You should check with the Department of Insurance in your state to determine what laws govern your insurance claim.

Don't give up

If you file an insurance claim for damage or loss that has occurred in an area with a great deal of damage, you may have to be patient. Don't give up on your insurance claim even if it is denied. Seek a qualified insurance attorney who can advise you on your rights.