Filing Claims After Severe Storms - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk

In the wake of the recent severe storms across Saskatchewan, Greg shares tips for streamlining the claims process. 800 CHAB radio presents Ask the Expert with Greg Marcyniuk of Heritage Insurance located in Moose Jaw.

Here's a transcript of this episode:

Rob Carnie: I imagine, Mr. Insurance Expert, that you started getting calls Friday night or Saturday morning?

Greg Marcyniuk: We started getting calls first thing Saturday morning, Rob. It's been an actual zoo here at the office. But fortunately, people do purchase insurance. And that's what insurance is for, is when events such as this do happen. Now if you do have an auto claim, what I'm recommending, and what SGI is recommending, is actually to go to SGI online. Because I know down at the SGI office they've just been inundated and you'll probably be put on hold forever. So if you go to SGI online, just type that into Google, you'll find an auto e-claim on there. And just click in and file your auto e-claim. What you will require is your plate number for your vehicle, and your vehicle owner's customer number on the vehicle registration. And for the hail claim, it shouldn't take more than 15 minutes because it's pretty quick and easy. If it was an accident it's different than when you're filing it on an auto e-claim. Once you file that auto e-claim, you're actually going to get a claim number, and someone will get back to you. All that we ask is that you just have a little patience. We are very busy here at our office as is all the other offices are. And as well, with SGI. Because most of the claims have been auto claims predominantly. We have had quite a few home claims. Again, just call your broker. They will handle, take it in. And again, the company and the company representative will be back to you as soon as possible. Again, we just ask that our policyholders and anybody out there just have a little patience because we were hit very hard in the city.

Rob: Yeah. Lot's of siding, shingles, and windows from what I understand?

Greg: Yes. That's correct. The bulk of our claims have been auto claims, but there have been a lot of siding claims, Rob, as well as eavesdrops. And some windows that were broken. Shingles, though, there has been a few. It hasn't been all that bad. Plastic fences. God, I looked at a client's this morning and it looked like a machine gun had gone through it and taken it right apart. So, there are those type of claims. But again, we have been very busy, as I'm sure all of the other agencies around town have been. So just be patient. We will get it. And there will be an adjuster that will get back to you as soon as they can.

Rob: Okay. And do you recommend we take photos of the damage?

Greg: Oh definitely. You can certainly take photos of it. And if you want to start the process of looking at getting someone lined up, as a lot of people have been, to get it repaired. Go through and get that in place right away. Because I'm sure the first ones will be getting their work done who contact the contractors first.

Rob: Sure.

Greg: So I recommend you do that too as opposed to just waiting for an adjuster. Because it will be covered.

Rob: Okay. And one more time, for auto claims we go online to SGI.

Greg: SGI Auto. If you just type in auto claim it will come right up. And it's a very easy process. Again, just have your plate number, vehicle owner number. And you'll need your customer number on your PIC number, name, date of birth, and away you go. It's not that bad of a process to go through and do that. So that'll get you the quickest service possible. Because again, if you call down there it's just going to take too long to get through, Rob.

Rob: Sure. So all we need to be armed with really is our vehicle registration, right?

Greg: Vehicle registration, and your customer number. Like as far as on your PIN number. And again, if you do have a package policy, we can provide that number for you because SGI has asked us that all auto claims go through that system.

(Video transcription by Speechpad)

Filing Claims After Severe Storms - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk

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