First, Take a Breath

Whether it’s hail through the skylight or a fender-bender on 2nd Street, the claims process is more manageable than it feels in the moment. Here’s the playbook we walk our clients through.

Step 1: Make It Safe, Then Document

People and safety first — then, before you clean anything up, photograph and video everything. Wide shots of the whole scene, close-ups of specific damage, and anything that shows cause (the hail on the lawn, the tree on the fence). You cannot over-document a claim.

Step 2: Prevent Further Damage

Your policy expects you to take reasonable steps to stop damage from getting worse — tarp the roof, shut off the water, board the window. Keep receipts for materials and labor; reasonable temporary repairs are typically reimbursable as part of the claim. Don’t make permanent repairs until an adjuster has seen the damage.

Step 3: Call Us Before You Commit

Here’s where having an independent agent pays off. Not every loss is worth filing — if the damage is close to your deductible, filing may cost you more in future premium than it pays today. We’ll look at your deductible (remember, wind/hail deductibles in Oklahoma are often a percentage of your dwelling coverage), the likely claim value, and give you a straight answer. Whether our clients need help filing a claim, processing a payment, or just understanding their coverage, that’s exactly what we’re here for.

Step 4: File Promptly and Stay Organized

Once you decide to file, report it quickly — carriers move faster on fresh claims, and after a major metro-wide storm, adjusters get booked in the order claims arrive. Keep a simple log: claim number, adjuster’s name and number, every conversation with a date. Save every receipt for temporary repairs, hotel stays, or a rental car.

Step 5: Meet the Adjuster (and Get Your Own Estimate)

For property claims, be there when the adjuster inspects if you can, and point out everything you documented. It’s also smart to get an estimate from a reputable local contractor. A word of caution for Oklahoma homeowners: after big hailstorms, out-of-state storm chasers will knock on doors offering to “handle the claim for you.” Be careful with anyone who asks you to sign over your claim benefits — when in doubt, call us first.

What We Do During Your Claim

The carrier pays the claim, but you don’t have to face the process alone. We help our clients report claims, translate adjuster-speak, follow up when things stall, and push back when a settlement misses something. It’s the biggest reason to have a local agent instead of an 800 number — when something goes wrong, you’re calling someone who knows your name.