Pitfalls of DIY Insurance Claims
At Action Insurance Repair, we’ve seen time and again how complex and frustrating property damage insurance claims can become—especially when clients try to handle everything themselves.
It’s understandable: when disaster strikes, the instinct is often to act fast, start cleaning up, and get things moving. But without the right support, what seems like a straightforward process can quickly become a headache.
That’s why we regularly work alongside independent loss assessors. Sometimes we introduce them to a case, and sometimes they invite us to quote for work. Either way, this partnership often leads to faster outcomes, fairer settlements, and significantly less stress for the property owner, their letting agent or their broker!
So, what exactly does a loss assessor do?
In short, a loss assessor works for the policyholder—not the insurer. They understand the fine print, they know how to negotiate with loss adjusters (who are on the insurance company’s side!), and most importantly, they ensure your client’s interests are properly represented from day one. Without that guidance, the DIY approach can go badly wrong. Delays, underinsurance issues, and lowball settlement offers are all too common – as our recent survey showed.
To show just how much of a difference an assessor can make, here are three real case studies Action Insurance Repair has recently been involved in:
1. Flood Damage in Croston – A Slow Start, Then a Quick Turnaround!
On New Year’s Day this year, Mark Heaton’s home was severely flooded. Despite contacting his insurer immediately, nothing had been done by mid-February. That’s when he called in a loss assessor, who quickly got things moving. Within weeks, drying specialists and our team had assessed the flood damage, stripped out the damaged materials, received approval, and installed equipment! What had dragged on for nearly two months was finally back on track—just days after the assessor stepped in.
2. Fire in Oswaldtwistle – A Big Win on Underinsurance
When Mrs Clark’s property suffered fire damage, her insurer’s surveyor claimed she was 50% underinsured—which would have drastically cut her payout. Fortunately, the loss assessor challenged this. They brought in an independent surveyor, and it was agreed the actual underinsurance was just 24%. What a relief! A big difference, and a much fairer result.
3. Commercial Fire in Darwen – Policy Knowledge is Power...
In an ongoing commercial fire damage case, the insurer’s adjuster wanted to reduce the payout by around 25% due to underinsurance. But the loss assessor found a clause in the policy allowing for a tolerance—which meant no reduction should apply! The assessor’s attention to detail could make a significant financial difference for our client.
The Takeaway? Don’t Go It Alone
These cases are perfect examples of why we always recommend speaking to an assessor early in the claims process. They’re not just there to “push back” on insurers—they bring clarity, direction, and often unlock better outcomes. As ever, if you’re unsure or need advice, just give us a call on 01254 665333. Whether it’s a storm, fire, flood, or anything in between—we’re here to help, and we know the right people to bring in when the situation calls for it.
Property damage often requires multiple trades... Juggling them all can be challenging!
Our team of 15 covers the important trades, plus our interior styling and project management are second to none - so give us a call on 01254 665 333 to find out how we can help you.