From Wildfires & Earthquakes to Hurricanes & Storms, we have been assisting our owners design and rebuild from natural disasters for decades.

After safety and welling being comes a general assessment and “what’s next”. And a main component to help determine “what’s next” is the insurance company. Although KINDO studios has been coordinating with numerous insurance companied on disaster relief projects, we are design and building professionals and recommend you contact your insurance company, agent and attorney, directly for your specific next steps. With that in mind, we have compiled some key categories and questions we have gathered over the decades that will help when working with your insurance company.

Questions to ask your Insurance Team:

  • Who is my main contact during the entire process?

  • Who is the adjustor assigned to my claim?

  • What is the process and how will I be updated on my claim?

  • Will accountants, estimators, engineers or other professionals be hired by the insurance company to accurately document the claim damages?

  • Are any of my claim preparation costs for my own experts (architects, engineers, estimators, etc) be covered by my policy?

Questions to ask about Your Coverage + Exclusions:

  • Get confirmation that your policy definitely cover this type of disaster.

  • What damages to what property are not covered under my insurance?

  • What coverage or policy changes are needed to cover these types of damages and property in the future?

  • What are my insurance policy limits?

  • What is my insurance policy deductible?

    • How is this deductible applied?

  • Is my insurance policy and Actual Cash Value policy or a Replacement Cost Value policy?

  • How are the valuation methods applied to my insurance claim?

Your Responsibilities:

What documents does the insurance company require me to complete from initial submission to completion of the claim?

  • What at the deadlines for these submission of these documents?

  • Where are all the required forms and directions located?

  • What forms or format is needed to prepare and inventory of belongings?

    • What information, description, details, documentation is required per item?

    • What is the required of preferred method for photograph or video the loss for documentation?

    • What is all or most items are destroyed and not able to find or identify?

    • What process and who determines what is attempted to salvage?

    • Do I have a say in what is salvaged?

  • Should I begin cleaning, while awaiting the insurance company adjustor?

    • Can I hire my owner cleaning and restoration team and will this be reimbursed?

  • Should I attempt to repair replace or hire anyone to repair?

    • Can I perform any repairs myself?

Your Settlement and Funds

Am I entitled to an advance from the insurance company?

  • What is the process for determining the amount of my settlement?

  • How and when do I received my settlement funds?

  • What is the dispersement of funds for rebuilding, repairing process?

  • Am I entitled to an advance from the insurance company?

  • What happens if I am not receiving all funds and benefits entitled to me?

  • What happens if my claim in denied?

    • Is there an appeal process for denied claims?

**** Your Additional Coverage and Benefits ****

Will I be reimbursed for Additional Living Expenses (ALE) such as rental for a temporary property, food costs, etc.?

  • What are the costs limits to the ALE?

  • What are the time constraints to the ALE?

  • What is the extension process for the ALE?

  • Do I have additional policy coverage funds to rebuild or repair in accordance with local, state and federal regulations (Code Upgrade) to which my original property did not conform?

    • What is the amount or percentage of the Code Upgrade funds?

    • What is the process and what is required to submit for the Code Upgrade funds?

Additional Living Expenses (ALE)

Many policies will allow for a lump sum cash-out for ALE. Many owners decide to purchase an RV with these funds. The RV allows the owners to live on their property during the cleanup, permit and rebuild. Which could take years in some cases. This may be the best option as in many cased the surrounding area will have a limited number of rental properties available due to the high demand. And during the high demand typically comes the increased rental prices.

Your Design / Build Team should help:

Your design and build team should do more than just help your design and rebuild from your natural disaster. KINDO studios helps you coordinate with your insurance company, assess your policy, design accordingly and provide the documentation as required for policy coverage, Actual and Replacement estimates, extensions, and code upgrades. You should ask this of your consultants prior to engaging with them. And if you have more questions or want clarification, please contact our office for assistance.