November 2018
Jose Farias was the winner of our 3rd quarter Client Referral Rewards raffle drawing. He is shown here with Barbara Swanson holding his $250 rewards check. He chose Valley Children’s Hospital for his $100 donation. Jose, thank you for your referrals.
Claims: What to Expect and How Your Agent Helps
You need to make an insurance claim for damage to your property. What should you do first? What can you expect?
If you’re not familiar with this process, it can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, your insurance agent will partner with you to walk you through the necessary steps. The following tips can also help clarify what to expect and what is considered “normal” for this process.
More than one check is normal. As you work through the claims process, you can typically expect to receive more than one check. Often, homeowners receive an initial sum that is an advance for repairs, but it does not represent the final settlement amount. You can still receive additional funds as expenses are documented and claimed. A separate check is also common for personal belongings, since insurance companies often cut checks for each category of damage. If you incur additional living expenses, such as hotel stays, you may receive yet another check for reimbursement of these claims.
Making direct payments is normal. In some cases, your insurance company may pay contractors directly for the work they complete on your property. However, use caution with this process, since it gives you less control of your claim. Make sure the work is done to your satisfaction before your insurer pays the contractor.
Mortgage company involvement is normal. Lenders often require borrowers to name them in their homeowner’s policy. If you have a mortgage on your property, the lender will likely be involved in the claims process. Checks for repairs may be made out to both you and your lender.
This lets lenders ensure the needed repairs are made on a property in which they have a vested interest. The same may be true if you are part of a homeowners’ association.
Many more questions are normal. Most homeowners have questions as they go through the claims process. Don’t hesitate to contact your agent with any inquiries. Your agent’s expertise is invaluable in helping your claim go as smoothly and as quickly as possible.
Thank You Cards – Still In Style or Needless Paperwork?
Fewer people may be sending handwritten notes these days, but thank-you cards still haven’t gone out of style. At least they shouldn’t, according to etiquette experts.
While it can be confusing trying to figure out the “proper” way to communicate in various situations, there are some agreed-upon guidelines for how to send your thanks. For example, gifts received at parties generally warrant a handwritten thank-you note. Think birthday parties (for both children and adults), bridal or baby showers, and anniversaries. Another rule of thumb: if you received a gift in the mail or a gift that wasn’t opened in front of the giver, your best bet is to send a written note. The same goes if you’ve received something that has been made specifically for you. Lastly, if you’ve been treated to a kindness or gift during a difficult time, like an illness, death, or hospitalization, then you should absolutely express your gratitude with a handwritten note.
For gifts given during the holidays or “just because,” a verbal thank-you is perfectly fine, especially as you most likely opened the presents in front of the giver.
But is it ever okay to send just an email? Of course! Thank-you emails are perfectly acceptable in work situations and when you don’t have a person’s physical address. They’re also more than enough if you want to thank someone for a small kindness, like a neighbor picking up your newspaper.
At the end of the day, though, what matters most is that we all remain generous with our gratitude. Being thankful will never go out of style.