Taking Care of Your Property Can Protect Your Home Insurance Claim in Missouri
When your home sustains damage, the natural next step is to make a call to your insurer and file an insurance claim. The insurance company will then look at what was damaged and begin to create a list to determine the total loss value. They also look at the state of your home and belongings to decide how much an item is worth in its current state. If they decide something was already worn out or not taken care of, they say it was worth less. This is depreciation, and it means they will offer you less money.
An insurance claim often comes with two values that will be offered to you as part of the settlement: Actual Cash Value (ACV) and Replacement Cost Value (RCV). To simplify those differences, let's give the example of a shirt. To buy a new shirt from the store, it may cost twenty dollars. If your insurer agrees, that would give you an RCV value of $20. If that same shirt was stained and had a rip, it may only sell for five dollars secondhand. That amount in its current state would be your ACV of $5. ACV is paid upfront to the insured, often as a check or direct deposit, where the RCV amount is only paid out to the owner upon replacement of said item. If you have a house fire, and your shirt was affected, they would pay the 5 dollars to you up front, but only release the remaining $15 once you buy the shirt and provide your receipt to the insured.
To maximize your upfront payment amount, it’s crucial to make sure items are perceived as well-maintained and not in poor condition.
Why Looking After Your Place Helps
Your home is like anything you care about; when you put a little time into it, it lasts longer and stays in better shape. A roof with patches and repairs is easier to defend than one with missing shingles and water stains. A dryer that has been cleaned and serviced looks like it still has years left. When things look cared for, it is harder for an insurance company to claim they had a lesser value.
Small Things Can Make a Big Difference
Most people are, understandably, not fixing everything every weekend or the moment any wear occurs. Thankfully, no one expects that—but doing basic maintenance helps. Catch leaks early, clean out gutters, wipe down appliances, and keep your stuff stored where it will not get wet or moldy. These little habits can help better protect your property from wear and tear.
Keep Records
It also helps to save a few simple records. Take photos of your home once in a while. Hold onto repair receipts. Even a quick picture after you finish a small fix can matter later. If you ever need to make a claim, these small pieces of proof show that you cared for your home and your belongings.
When It’s Time to Call a Missouri Public Adjuster
If your insurance company is trying to minimize your payout, you don’t just have to accept a lowball offer. A professional public adjuster can look at your situation, gather what you already have, and push back for a better number. Our team of St. Louis public adjusters at Edwin Claude is here to handle communications with the insurance companies and get you the payout you deserve!
