Building during hurricane season carries risks for entrepreneurs and construction companies. Storms tear into construction sites ravaging materials and destroying site preparation. Beyond the physical toll, construction companies shoulder extra staffing, transportation, and other costs due to delay. Construction continues year-round, regardless of hurricane season. Each year, builders take a gamble projects will safe from major storms. Builders risk insurance protects residential and commercial construction projects from damages caused by storm activity.
Often, the language in a builders risk plan is specific to an insurance agency. Standardized insurance formats for builders risk plans have yet to take hold, making these plans difficult to understand. This leaves many entrepreneurs and builders in a lurch if insurance claims are filed. Many claimants receive less compensation than owed. This is due to confusing policy language and coverage on most builders risk plans.
Builders risk protects projects under-construction. This includes protection for plans, materials, tools and more. If a claim is submitted there are a number of steps the insured is expected to take. Rigid timelines, complicated paperwork and more create hurdles for filing in the requisite amount of time.
Builders Risk Insurance: Claims
Filing claims correctly and on-time helps avoid unnecessary claim denial or delay in compensation. To increase chances for compensation without delay or rejection, here are 5 steps for filing a builder’s risk insurance claim:
1. Understand the Builders Risk Policy
Insurance policy paperwork grows in size with each added layer of protection. Arrange proper coverage with an agent and review all policy materials. A solid understanding of coverage protection, policy limitations, claims processes and timelines all help expedite the claims process.
2. Build an Insurance Claims Team
A designated team of individuals dedicated to insurance matters expedites the claims process. Persons educated on processes, language and timelines for filing builders risk claims are better able to react to damages. Teams may include members from legal, accounting, management sections and more. Train teams to respond to insurance matters and improve chances for the effective filing of claims for compensation payout.
3. Create a Single Point of Contact
Insurance claims are legal matters where the right language matters. Create a single point of contact on the claims team for communicating to the insurance agency. Insurance agencies take statements into effect deciding claims; ensure statements are controlled. Including legal counsel for representatives creates additional protective layers.
4. Thoroughly Record Losses
On a builders risk insurance claim, the details matter. Record all losses regardless of size. Independent experts are a valuable resource for thorough inspection of potential losses. This helps capture all potential insurance payouts for both hard costs and soft.
5. Contact Insurance Carriers Promptly
Builders risk policies created by local agencies often bundle services from several carriers for complete protection. Each of these carriers extends coverage for specific risks, shouldering a percentage of claim responsibility. For claims filing, contact each carrier promptly and begin the claims process.
Unexpected weather wreaks havoc on construction projects of all sizes each storm season. Builders risk insurance protects from losses due to hurricane and storms. To find the right builder’s risk policy talk to an insurance agent. Builders risk policies are tailored to fit. A local insurance broker has the best perspective on coverage necessary in your area. Contact an agent today and discover all the layers of protection available under builders risk insurance.
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