What Just Happened?
You have had a (water,fire,wind,hail,etc.) loss at your home or business. The adjuster is pulling out of your driveway and you are standing in what looks like a war zone, holding an estimate that does not make sense and a check that looks too small. REFERRALEIGH is here to help. Take a look at our process to see how.
About Us
Our Service
Our Contractors
Our Contractors
After we have obtained a little information about your specific loss, we can provide you with a contractor who is qualified to repair the damage to your property.
Our Contractors
Our Contractors
Our Contractors
We diligently maintain a list of qualified, professional contractors from all trades. All of the contractors we refer are insured and licensed as required. Most importantly, our contractors are experienced with insurance work and understand the claims process.
Our Team
Our Contractors
Our Team
We have a dedicated staff who are not only experts in the insurance claims process, but also in the construction industry. This combination of knowledge allows us to provide you with the perfect selection of contractors for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really FREE?
YES! REFERRALEIGH does not charge the homeowner or building owner for this service. We only ask that you answer a short survey at the end of the repairs for quality control purposes. Referraleigh does receive a referral fee from the contractor.
Do we have to use this contractor?
You are under no obligation to use the contractor provided by REFERRALEIGH. We understand there are many factors in choosing a contractor and no hard feelings if you choose one we did not recommend.
Is Referraleigh a contractor?
No, REFERRALEIGH is a contractor referral service. We do not have any affiliation with the companies we refer.
NCDOI
The North Carolina Department of Insurance has a page dedicated to answering questions about Homeowners Claims : https://www.ncdoi.gov/consumers/homeowners-insurance .
What if I have a mortgage company?
If your adjuster includes the mortgage company on the check, contact your mortgage company and let them know you have had a loss. Each company has a different process, but most will ask you to send them your adjusters estimate and the check. They will review, endorse and return it to you. In some cases the mortgage company may hold the funds in escrow and pay draws as the work is completed. This process may delay your repairs so the sooner you start it the better.
What if I do not have an insurance claim?
Although we are dedicated to serving those with an insurance claim, we will assist others in need of a referral. Send us your contact information with a brief description of your needs and we will help out if we can.
Will Referraleigh come to my house?
No, we do not conduct inspections in the home. If additional information is required, we will work with the homeowner to obtain it without physically coming to the home.
Common Insurance Terminology
Dec Page
Your insurance policy will have a declarations page that defines the coverages that your insurance policy provides. This should be provided each month with your statement from the insurance company or you can obtain a copy from your insurance agent.
Deductible
On your Dec Page there will be listed a deductible for your insurance policy. The deductible is the amount of money that you will pay out of pocket for the damage to your home. If the total damages is $1,000.00 and you have a $500.00 deductible, the adjuster will issue a check for $500.00 and you add your $500.00 deductible to make the $1,000.00 repair.
Depreciation
Depreciation is the decrease in value of an item over a period of time. If you paid $400.00 for your TV 10 years ago and now you can only sell it for $100.00. It has depreciated $300.00.
Actual Cash Value (ACV)
Most insurance adjusters will depreciate the initial payment on an insurance claim and this payment is known as the actual cash value. If you had a fire and your 1920's kitchen sustained $10,000.00 in damages, the adjuster might depreciate the kitchen $5,000.00 and issue an ACV check for $5,000.00. Some policies are only ACV policies and you can only receive the depreciated amount for your loss.
Replacement Cost Coverage
Some policies provide replacement cost coverage for a loss. This means that the adjuster will issue an initial ACV payment for the damages and when the work has been completed they will issue a payment for the depreciated amount. This amount is known as Recoverable Depreciation or Holdback.
Agent vs. Adjuster
Your Insurance Agent is who you purchased your insurance through. This is typically who you call to file your claim with. Your Insurance Adjuster is who the insurance company has designated to review your claim and issue the payments.
Contractor
There are many different types of contractors. General Contractors, Licensed Trade Contractors, Sub-Contractors, General Trade Contractors, and Handyman Services. Each job requires a different set of skills and potentially licenses. Referraleigh specializes in knowing which contractor you will need based on the size, complexity, and scope of your repair.
Mitigation
Most insurance policies require the homeowner to mitigate the damages to their home when there is a loss. Mitigation refers to that process. It can refer to anything from putting a tarp on your roof to a full dry-out of your home using large equipment.