Weathering Any Catastrophe With
the Help of Amica
- Our Team is Always Ready to Assist
- Preparing For the Possibility
- Protecting Your Home From Further Damage
- Reporting Your Claim to Us
- We're There to Help You Pick Up the Pieces
Our Team is Always Ready to Assist
When catastrophic events such as hurricanes, earthquakes or wildfires cause widespread damage affecting a large number of our policyholders, teams of adjusters are deployed to inspect the damages. Branch personnel provide support to these catastrophe teams, assist insureds with their immediate needs, and serve to guide them through the claim process.
Day in and day out our attention to detail, dependability, and personal concern for our customers has consistently earned us high marks from professional organizations. Our customers can expect the same level of service, if not better, in the wake of a natural disaster when they need us most.
Preparing For the Possibility
Did you know you can decrease the chance of a natural disaster causing damage to your home? We encourage you to visit Disastersafety.org, a website created by the Institute for Business and Home SafetyŽ for information and tips to prepare your home and reduce the potential for damage from catastrophic events.
If civil authorities force you to evacuate your home due to an impending disaster, most Amica homeowners policies provide additional living expense coverage for up to two weeks. If your home is damaged as a result of the disaster, this coverage will extend for the reasonable amount of time required to repair your home or permanently relocate you elsewhere.
Protecting Your Home From Further Damage
If your home or auto has been affected by a disaster, it's important to inspect the damage as soon as it's safe to do so and take measures to protect your home from further damage. Your prompt action can greatly reduce the time it takes for you and your family to return to normal living.
Here are some tips on inspecting your home after a natural disaster:
- Pay particular attention to the home's exterior. Damage to roofing should be covered with tarps to prevent additional water from leaking into the home. Damaged doors or windows should be boarded up to prevent unauthorized access to your home and valuables.
- If large trees have fallen onto your home, it will be necessary to remove the trees to protect the home from further damage. Do not wait until we arrive to assess the damage. Be sure to obtain itemized receipts for these expenses. Most policies provide limited coverage to remove tree debris that does not strike a building.
- Look for downed utility lines on your property and remain at a safe distance if you find them. If you discover downed power lines, contact your local utility companies or a licensed electrician as soon as possible. If you do not have power, unplug sensitive electronics (such as TV's, surround sound systems, cordless telephones, computers, modems, etc.) so they are not damaged by power surges that may occur when power is restored.
- If the plumbing system has been affected and water is actively leaking from the water supply system, try to turn off the water at the main shut-off valve.
- Attempt to clean up any standing water that may have entered your home. If possible, move undamaged contents into an unaffected area of the home. If water is actively leaking into your home and items cannot be moved, try to protect them with plastic sheeting or tarps. Contents that can potentially be saved should be separated from items that will require replacement.
- Do not discard any damaged property until you have spoken with an Amica claims representative, as it will be necessary for us to inventory these items.
- Keep track of receipts for expenses related to temporary repairs. These expenses are typically covered by your policy. Most incidental temporary repairs do not require pre-approval by Amica. More expensive temporary repairs should not be completed without first receiving authorization from Amica.
Reporting Your Claim to Us
If you discover damage to your auto, home or boat it's important to notify Amica as soon as possible. You can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-242-6422. You can also report your claim on-line.
By reporting your claim promptly, we are better able to respond to your needs. Under normal circumstances, we strive to acknowledge any claim reported within hours. In the aftermath of a catastrophe, we review new claims carefully to determine which ones require immediate attention. If your home suffers minor damage, please understand our response may be delayed slightly while we attend to those most in need. If your home is not fit to live in because of the damage, please let us know promptly and we'll make arrangements to issue an advance payment to cover your immediate expenses
We're There to Help You Pick Up the Pieces
If the damage to your home requires an adjuster inspection, the adjuster will contact you to schedule the appointment. If you believe your home requires an immediate inspection, please let us know and we'll make the appropriate arrangements.
The adjuster will inspect your home and prepare an estimate to repair the loss related damage. If you already have a contractor who will do the repairs, we encourage them to inspect the loss with the adjuster, if possible. Have your contractor provide you with an itemized repair estimate as soon as possible.
Once we have determined the cost to repair your home, we will issue payment promptly. In most cases, the initial payment will be for the Actual Cash Value of the repairs. If your policy contains Replacement Cost provisions, which most Amica policies do, you will receive the depreciation holdback when the repairs are substantially completed, up to the actual repair cost.
When your home suffers significant damage we are required to protect your mortgagee's interest in your property. In these cases, your mortgage company will be named as an additional payee on the checks for repairs to your home. It's important that you notify your mortgage company as soon as possible so that you can begin the check endorsement process with them.
Surges in demand and shortages in supply sometimes follow a widespread catastrophe and building costs can increase as a result. Our initial payment does not necessarily constitute full and final settlement of your claim. In the event the actual repair costs exceed our initial allowances, let us know before work commences.
If you cannot live in your home due to the extent of damage, we will work with you to locate suitable housing in the immediate area. Options include hotels, rental apartments, single family homes, corporate housing or on-site trailers. We will issue an advance payment to cover any out-of-pocket expenses you may incur when you need to temporarily relocate. It's important to keep receipts for the expenses incurred, as we use these receipts to account for the advance payment.
Returning you and your family back to normal as quickly and efficiently as possible is our ultimate goal. If at any point you do not feel your claim is getting the attention it deserves, please contact the branch handling your claim for assistance.
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