| A claim supplement is a claim for additional repair or | | | | Conditioning system. If you have a car wreck in July, |
| replacement costs. Supplements are commonplace in | | | | you might not notice that your heater is |
| the claims process. However, if you are a policyholder | | | | malfunctioning until fall or winter. But when any |
| unaware of your policy rights, you could be walking | | | | damages are discovered that can be directly related |
| away from hundreds or thousands of dollars that you | | | | to the original insured loss, you can submit a |
| are entitled to collect. | | | | supplement. Simply document the damages and their |
| Claim supplements usually occur after a policyholder | | | | cause and send the supplement to the insurance |
| submits a claim, gets paid and gets the repairs or | | | | company. No additional deductible is assessed, since |
| replacements completed. Then, additional damage is | | | | you already paid it once. |
| discovered some time later. | | | | Property Insurance Supplemental Claims |
| Many people erroneously think that, once the claim is | | | | Homeowners, Renters or Business insurance claims |
| closed, it cannot be re-opened. And, insurance | | | | can find a need for a supplemental claim for some of |
| companies and their adjusters usually don't rush to tell | | | | the same reasons found in car insurance claims. |
| you how to submit a claim supplement. So, what to | | | | Seasonal issues can bring up damages related to the |
| do? Let's look at car insurance claims and property | | | | original loss. But, some other issues might present |
| insurance claims. | | | | themselves. You may have an expert's report that |
| For any kind of supplemental claim, you must contact | | | | shows additional damage attributable to the original |
| your insurance company and give them your original | | | | loss. Your contractor may have found hidden damage |
| claim number. The best way to notify the company | | | | that must be repaired. In any event, carefully |
| is in writing, sent Certified Mail. That way, you'll know | | | | document your claim and submit it to the insurance |
| who signed for the letter. The insurer will have to | | | | company. |
| re-open the claim. You might get the same adjuster | | | | Be sure that you are collecting all the money you are |
| as before, but maybe not. | | | | entitled to collect. Use supplemental claims whenever |
| Car Insurance Supplemental Claims | | | | your claim requires it. |
| Lots of supplements happen when cars are getting | | | | If you have experienced a property loss, whether |
| repaired. Many times, hidden damages are discovered | | | | fire, wind, flood or other, you need to know winning |
| when the body shop begins dismantling the car. So, | | | | insurance claim strategies. The insurance company will |
| while the insurance company may have issued | | | | not tell you the claims process, but I will. I will show |
| payment to the body shop from the original repair | | | | you how to take control of your insurance claim, and |
| estimate, they will issue a second check for the | | | | add hundreds or even thousands more dollars to your |
| supplemental repairs. Happens all the time, no big deal. | | | | claim settlement. For more information, go to the |
| However, sometimes post-repair problems don't | | | | website listed below. |
| show up right away. A good example is the Air | | | | |