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Policyholder Resource Center

Know your policy.
Protect your claim.

Practical guidance for before, during, and after a property loss—written for policyholders, not insurance professionals.

Start My Free Claim Review →What Should I Do First?
Find the guidance you need

Clear answers. Practical next steps.

Use this center to understand your options, prepare for a claim, or make sense of a carrier decision.

01

Start Here

What to do during the first 24–48 hours after property damage.

Explore →02

Public Adjusters

Understand who each adjuster represents and when help may be useful.

Explore →03

The Claim Process

See the major steps from initial documentation through resolution.

Explore →04

Claim Problems

Guidance for denied, underpaid, delayed, or closed claims.

Explore →05

Free Policy Review

Learn what your policy says before a loss—or before choosing coverage.

Explore →06

FAQs & Glossary

Plain-language answers to common property-claim questions.

Explore →
The first 24–48 hours

Property damage just happened. Start here.

Safety and preventing additional damage come first. Then build a clear record before conditions change.

  1. 01

    Protect people first

    If anyone is in danger, contact emergency services and leave the property when necessary.

  2. 02

    Prevent additional damage

    Take reasonable, safe steps to keep the loss from getting worse, such as covering an opening or stopping an active leak.

  3. 03

    Document before cleanup

    Photograph and video every affected area, damaged item, and visible source of the loss before moving or discarding anything.

  4. 04

    Preserve evidence

    Keep damaged materials and items when practical. If they must be removed, photograph them thoroughly and retain samples when safe.

  5. 05

    Save every receipt

    Track emergency repairs, temporary housing, meals, supplies, and other loss-related expenses.

  6. 06

    Keep a claim log

    Record dates, names, phone calls, inspections, requests, promises, and every document sent or received.

Never enter an unsafe structure or attempt dangerous mitigation. Follow emergency officials and qualified professionals.

Know who is at the table

Not every adjuster works for you.

Insurance Company

Company Adjuster

An employee of the insurance carrier who investigates and adjusts claims for the company.

Insurance Company

Independent Adjuster

An outside professional or firm contracted by the carrier to handle claims on its behalf.

Policyholder

Public Adjuster

A licensed professional retained by you to prepare, document, and negotiate your property claim.

A public adjuster may help when…

  • The loss is large, complex, or affects many areas.
  • You are unsure what the policy requires or covers.
  • The carrier’s scope or payment appears incomplete.
  • The claim is denied, delayed, closed, or disputed.
  • Documentation and negotiation are becoming overwhelming.

You may not need representation when…

  • The damage is minor and clearly below the deductible.
  • The carrier promptly agrees to a complete, accurate scope.
  • You are comfortable documenting and managing the claim yourself.
  • A consultation confirms professional representation would not add value.
From damage to resolution

The property claim process

Every claim is different, but a well-supported claim generally follows these stages.

1

Report & stabilize

Report the loss promptly and complete reasonable emergency mitigation.

2

Review the policy

Identify applicable coverages, deductibles, limits, duties, and deadlines.

3

Inspect & document

Build a complete record of building, contents, and income-related damage.

4

Prepare the claim

Organize estimates, inventories, receipts, reports, and supporting evidence.

5

Respond & negotiate

Address carrier questions, disputed scope, pricing, and overlooked damage.

6

Resolve the claim

Confirm the payment and outstanding requirements provided by the policy.

When the claim goes wrong

A carrier decision is not always the final word.

We examine the policy, documentation, estimates, payments, and timeline before explaining the available options.

Denied

We review the stated reason, policy language, evidence, and whether important facts were overlooked.

Underpaid

We compare the carrier’s scope and pricing with documented damage and the cost of covered repairs.

Delayed

We organize outstanding requests and communications so the claim has a clear, documented path forward.

Closed

A closed file may still deserve review. Deadlines and options depend on the policy, facts, and state law.

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Complimentary policy review

Understand the policy before you need it.

UCAG offers a free policy review even when you do not have a claim. If you are shopping, you may send multiple policies for a side-by-side comparison. We will schedule a call to explain the advantages, limitations, and questions worth asking your agent. A written report is available upon request after the review call.

Schedule My Free Policy Review →
  • Coverage limits and deductibles
  • Replacement cost vs. actual cash value
  • Exclusions and endorsements
  • Water, flood, and roof provisions
  • Ordinance or law coverage
  • Additional living expenses
  • Business-income considerations
  • Policy comparison questions
Frequently asked questions

Property claims, in plain language.

What is a public adjuster?

A public adjuster is a licensed claims professional hired by the policyholder—not the insurance company—to document, prepare, and negotiate a property insurance claim.

When should I call a public adjuster?

You can call before filing, while a claim is active, or after receiving a denial or payment you believe is incomplete. An early review can help preserve evidence and clarify policy requirements.

Can UCAG review a claim I already filed?

Yes. UCAG reviews new, active, denied, underpaid, delayed, and closed property claims. Whether additional recovery is available depends on the policy, facts, deadlines, and applicable law.

How does UCAG get paid?

UCAG works on a contingency basis: we only get paid when you do. The agreement and any state-specific fee requirements are explained before representation begins.

What should I gather for a claim review?

Your policy, carrier letters, estimates, photographs, videos, payment documents, repair invoices, and a timeline are helpful. Do not delay contacting us simply because something is missing.

How long does a property claim take?

Timing varies with the cause and complexity of the loss, documentation, inspections, carrier response, policy requirements, and disputes. No honest professional can promise an exact timeline.

Does UCAG perform repairs?

No. UCAG represents policyholders in insurance claims. We can help identify emergency service providers when needed, but contractors remain separate from our adjusting work.

Is a public adjuster the same as an attorney?

No. Public adjusters handle insurance-claim preparation and negotiation. Attorneys provide legal advice and representation. If a matter requires legal counsel, we will tell you.

Quick claim glossary

ACV

Actual Cash Value: replacement cost less applicable depreciation.

RCV

Replacement Cost Value: the cost to repair or replace with like kind and quality, subject to policy terms.

Recoverable Depreciation

Depreciation the carrier may release after covered repairs or replacement are completed and documented.

Deductible

The portion of a covered loss the policyholder is responsible for paying.

ALE

Additional Living Expense coverage for qualifying extra costs when a covered loss makes a home uninhabitable.

Proof of Loss

A formal, signed statement describing the claim and amount sought when required by the policy or carrier.

Supplement

A request for additional claim payment supported by newly documented scope, quantity, or pricing.

Appraisal

A policy-based process used in some disputes about the amount of loss; availability and scope depend on the policy and state.

This resource center provides general educational information—not legal advice, a coverage determination, or a guarantee of claim outcome. Policy language, loss facts, deadlines, and state law control each claim. Consult a qualified attorney for legal advice.

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