Claims

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When a claim occurs, you are not on your own. We are your advocate. A Daniel & Henry claims specialist will guide you through the process with prompt, ongoing service and consultation in negotiating a fair settlement.

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Business Claims

What to do in the event of a business claim

These guidelines should not be relied upon as legal advice nor do they imply coverage will be afforded. Claims are submitted to the appropriate insurance carrier for review and evaluation based upon the applicable policy of insurance and facts of loss.

Auto Claims

  • Call for medical assistance (911) if there are injuries.

  • Contact the police. Notify local and/or state police as required. If the police determine a report will be made, ask how to obtain a copy of the report. 

  • Exchange contact information with other parties involved, including witnesses.

  • Share insurance information with other parties involved.

  • Do not discuss fault or blame or make any promise of payment at the scene. 

  • If a camera (or smartphone) is available, take photos of the vehicles, scene and skid marks.

  • If your vehicle is not drivable, have it towed to the nearest repair shop. Do not authorize repairs until you speak with your claims adjuster.

  • As soon as possible, contact your insurance carrier to report the loss giving as much detail as possible.

  • Once the loss has been reported, a claims adjuster will contact you to discuss your coverage and what to expect. Your claims adjuster should contact you within two business days. If there is a delay, please call Daniel and Henry so that we may assist with the process.

Property Claims

  • Protect your property to mitigate further damage and make the premises safe and secure. 

  • Report downed power lines or gas leaks to the utility company.

  • Notify local police in the case of theft.

  • If a camera (or smartphone) is available, take photos of the scene before initiating emergency repairs. Emergency repairs include, but are not limited to, board up of broken windows, cover for holes in a roof and starting the process of water extraction.

  • Call a contractor for an estimate of the damages and repair costs.

  • Do not authorize final repairs until you speak with your claims adjuster. 

  • Inventory damaged personal property. Include quantity, description, age and value.

  • Expect to be contacted by a claims adjuster within two business days. If there is a delay, please call Daniel & Henry so that we may assist with the process. 

General Liability Claims 

  • Contact emergency personnel and police if necessary.

  • If a camera (or smartphone) is available, take photos of the scene.

  • Do not discuss fault or blame or make any promise of payment at the scene.

  • Obtain contact information of potential witnesses.

  • Secure and preserve any item (i.e. food) or allegedly damaged or defective product claimed to be yours.

  • Forward internal incident reports, written witness statements and any correspondence you have regarding the alleged incident.

  • Forward correspondence, including a summons, from an attorney representing the other party.

  • Do not discuss details of the claim or loss with any party representing the other party. Refer them to your insurance company’s claims adjuster.

  • In the event of injuries or damage to property of others which you allegedly caused please call Daniel & Henry so that we may assist with notice to the appropriate insurance carrier.

  • Expect to be contacted by a claims adjuster within two business days. If there is a delay, please call Daniel & Henry so that we may assist with the process. 

Workers’ Compensation Claims 

  • Call for medical assistance if necessary.

  • Report the claim to your insurance carrier within 24 hours of notice of the injury/illness. At the time of your report, advise the claim intake personnel if the report is for information only.

  • If a camera (or smartphone) is available, take photos of the scene.

  • Identify, secure and preserve any hand or mechanical equipment or machinery that may have caused or contributed to the loss.

  • Do not admit any fault or make any commitment for payment of the injury/illness.

  • Do not discuss details of the claim or loss with any party representing the injured worker. Refer them to your insurance company’s claims adjuster.

  • For claims with anticipated lost time or serious injury you may expect to be contacted by a claims adjuster within two business days. If there is a delay, please call Daniel & Henry so that we may assist with the process. 

Personal claims

What to do in the event of a personal claim

The following Emergency Tips were compiled by members and staff of the National Institute of Disaster Restoration, based on their wide experience with various types of damage. It is not likely that your claim event will require all of these procedures, so apply those which are applicable and appropriate.

These guidelines should not be relied upon as legal advice nor do they imply coverage will be afforded. Claims are submitted to the appropriate insurance carrier for review and evaluation based upon the applicable policy of insurance and facts of loss.

Fire & Smoke Damage

After fire damage it is natural to want to jump right in and clean the building and contents. Timely action can jeopardize or impede satisfactory restoration.

DO:

  • Clean and protect chrome trim on faucets and other bright work by washing with detergent and applying a coating of Vaseline or oil. 

  • Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smoke particles from upholstery, draperies, and carpeting. 

  • Open windows for ventilation if weather permits.

  • Empty refrigerators and freezers if electricity is off, and prop doors open with a rolled towel or newspaper to allow circulation.

  • Call a plumber to drain or blow out all water lines if heat is off in winter.

  • Remove pets to a clean environment if heavy fire residue is present.

  • Send a sample group of garments for cleaning and deodorization in order to observe the results.

  • Retain a contractor to board up open windows, roofs, or other penetrations in order to prevent additional damage. 

DO NOT:

  • Wipe or attempt to wash fire residue from walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.

  • Use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy smoke residues or debris.

  • Use food items or canned goods exposed to heat.

  • Turn on computers, TVs, stereos or electrical appliances until they have been cleaned and checked.

Water Damage

Water damage arises from fire damage, broken pipes, blocked drains, malfunctioning appliances, storms and other causes. The appropriate treatment depends on the nature of the damage. Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous (See Sewage and Flood Damage). Whatever the origin, the prospects for restoration depend largely on the speed with which your building and personal property can be dried. Even clean water can generate mildew and other bacterial growth if neglected.

DO:

  • Ventilate wet areas. Turn on air conditioning for accelerated drying in summer; in winter alternate cycles of opened windows and heating.

  • Remove standing water from flat surfaces by sponging and blotting. 

  • Take up saturated rugs and carpets when hardwood floors are at risk.

  • Stay out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

  • Transport computers to a dry environment, remove cases and blow dry with low- pressure air.

  • Remove lamps, telephones and decorative items from wet furniture tops. Open drawers and cabinet doors for interior drying, but do not force open stuck drawers or doors.

  • Freeze valuable books and documents to retard mildew growth until drying can be performed.

  • Place aluminum foil squares, china saucers of wood blocks under furniture legs to avoid carpet staining. 

DO NOT:

  • Operate TVs, vacuums or other appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors. Serious injuries may result.

  • Use heat to dry closed building interiors, mildew and expanded moisture damage may result.

  • Leave wet fabrics in place, space them apart and dry as so soon as possible.

Sewage & Flood Damage

Raw sewage and flood waters contain bacteria and other micro organisms which are extremely hazardous to human health. These can be transmitted by touching contaminated items or by tracking them into uncontaminated areas on shoes. Children and pets are especially vulnerable. Frequent hand washing is an important preventive measure. Absorbent materials such as carpeting and drywall may not be restorable after direct contact with sewage-contaminated or flood-contaminated water. 

DO:

  • Treat all water-impacted surfaces and furnishings as toxic, until properly decontaminated.

  • Keep children and pets out of contaminated areas. 

DO NOT:

  • Track contaminated material into undamaged areas.

  • Attempt to decontaminate surfaces with sprays and other over-the-counter germicidal products, which may not fully disinfect contaminated surfaces.

Soot (Furnace) Damage 

While soot may resemble smoke residues from a fire, the restoration of soot damage often requires different techniques. Incorrect action can make restoration more difficult and delay the return to normal. 

DO:

  • Change and save the old furnace filter.

  • Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, draperies and carpets.

  • Cover upholstery with clean sheets before use. 

DO NOT:

  • Attempt to wash walls, ceilings or contents without professional assistance.

Storm/Tree Damage

DO:

  • Always try to protect your property from additional damage. 

  • Make arrangements to have limbs/tree removed if it is on the house. 

  • Board up broken windows and cover holes in roof with tarp.

  • Take pictures of damage prior to any repairs being made.

DO NOT:

  • Touch power lines.

  • Try to remove large branches or trees without a professional.

Auto Accident

  • Call for medical assistance (911) if there are injuries. Don’t move the injured person or attempt first aid unless you are qualified.

  • Contact the police. Notify local and/or state police as required. If the police determine a report will be made, ask how to obtain a copy of the report. 

  • Exchange contact information with other parties involved, including witnesses.

  • Share insurance information with other parties involved, including carrier and policy number. 

  • Do not discuss fault or blame or make any promise of payment at the scene. 

  • Obtain pertinent information about other parties involved or anyone who might have witnessed the accident.

  • If a camera (or smartphone) is available, take photos of the vehicles, scene and skid marks.

  • If your vehicle is not drivable, have it towed to the nearest repair shop. Do not authorize repairs until you speak with your claims adjuster.

  • As soon as possible, contact your insurance carrier to report the loss giving as much detail as possible.

  • Once the loss has been reported, a claims adjuster will contact you to discuss your coverage and what to expect. Your claims adjuster should contact you within two business days. If there is a delay, please call Daniel and Henry so that we may assist with the process.

Vandalism/Theft

  • Report to authorities as soon as possible. 

  • Make temporary repairs to secure the property. 

  • Contact your insurance carrier as soon as possible to report loss. 

  • Prepare a list of items stolen showing approximate values. If possible, gather original receipts, manuals, etc. to verify ownership.