_ Getting The Most From Your Homeowner’s Insurance (NAPSA)—For a growing num- ber of homeowners, having an 2 | } wk: 2. = hy, eH r a m. insurance policy that offers pro- tection in the event of a natural or other home disaster is an essential part of any comprehensive insurance plan. However, the specifics of each policy—in terms of coverage and the homeowner’s responsibilities—are different. That’s why homeowners need to know what they should do when filing a claim, prior to a disaster occurring. That’s especially true in today’s economic environment. Consumers Many homeowners don’t read or fully understand their homeowner’s policies until it’s too late. That’s because many homeowners don’t read or fully understand ory.” Under the sameset of circumstances, what would a reasonable need to realize that simply being a policyholder may not be enough. their policies until it’s too late. man have done? owners are scared to file a claim fered a loss in which water saturated At the same time, many home- unless the damageis catastrophic, frightened that reporting a claim will result in higher premiums, For example,if a policyholder suf- a carpet, would it be reasonable for the homeownerto tear out the car- deductibles or even making them uninsurable. pet, replace it with marble and expect the insurance carrier to pay for it all? In most cases, probably called “Duties After Loss” can be get a chance to inspect the damage. The section of a policy usually especially important for home- owners to understand. The typical Duties After Loss clause often includes the following: 1) Report the Loss—Typically, the standard homeowner’s insurance contract requires that a homeownernotify the insurer within 48- 72 hours after a loss occurs. 2) Mitigate the Loss—This requires that homeowners take action to protect their property from further damage. If a court has to review the mat- ter, the homeowner’s efforts will often be reviewedin light of what’s knownas the “reasonable man the- not, particularly if the carrier didn’t One of the first steps a homeowner can take after a disaster strikes is to call a professional disaster restoration company, such as ServiceMaster Clean. Such specialists can help homeowners mitigate a loss and begin the claims process and the road to recovery. 3) stify Under Oath—Insurers can ask that you testify under oath to substantiateall facts of the loss. To learn more about how to mitigate your damageafter a loss or to find a ServiceMaster Clean franchise, visit the Web site www.servicemasterclean.com.
