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If you've just been robbed or your home was damaged or destroyed from a fire or other disaster, here's what you need to do:
- Call the police if you were robbed. Get the names of all the officers you deal with and a copy of their report.
- Contact your insurance company or agent. Do this as soon as possible. The company may want you to make a statement and it will help if the events are fresh in your mind.
When you talk to your agent, make sure you:
- Find out whether you are covered for this type of accident. If you are covered, find out how to file a claim.
- Ask them to send you any forms that you need right away.
- Find out if you will need a claims adjuster to visit your home. If you do, make an appointment. (In some cases, you may want to consider hiring your own "public adjuster." Find out when you may want a public adjuster.)
- Talk to the agent about getting started on fixing damages. Ask if the insurance company has a contractor they want you to use and whether they prefer to write checks to you or directly to the contractor.
- Make a list of all lost or damaged items and how much they were worth. Hopefully, you have already done a home inventory that will make this process easier. You will need to give this list to your insurance company when filing the claim.
- If you have to stay somewhere else, keep your receipts. Many insurance policies will cover your expenses if you need to stay somewhere else because your home was badly damaged in a fire or other disaster. But to get paid back for the money you spent, you need to have your receipts.
- Quickly fill out the claims forms. Your insurance company should have immediately sent you the claims forms. As soon as you get them, fill out the forms and send them back. The quicker you fill out the forms, the quicker you'll get the money you need to replace your things. If you haven't received the forms after a few days, call your insurance company again.
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