Time Limits For Filing Claims - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk

How long do you have to file a claim in Saskatchewan? Greg provides a detailed answer in this episode of Ask The Expert. 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: Focused on insurance with our insurance expert Greg Marcyniuk from Heritage Insurance in Downtown Moose Jaw.

Insurance is a word that a lot of people have been using this summer, lots of damage especially in that big hail storm that we had, Greg. And we need to talk about that. There are limits, time limits, on filing claims, but, with that said we have lots of time to get our claims filed.

Greg Marcyniuk: That's correct Rob. That hail that we had come through on the 22nd of July did a lot of damage throughout the city. Both on property and on vehicles, and we've been taking in a lot of claims. The biggest question that I've been asked by most people is, "How long do I have to process the claim?"

Now, first of all, when it comes to the claim, as a policy holder, you have got to try to mitigate your losses as much as possible. So, if there's been damage as far as hail coming through and denting and creating damage in vinyl siding, that's where I've seen a lot of it. We have to try to cover those up as much as possible with duct tape or whatever so there's no further structural loss. Now, as far as time, there's a total of two years that the claim has to be processed. So first of all, you have to file the claim, and again you have up to that two years, but, keep in mind that you only have two years and everything has to be processed within that two year limit.

So, it's not consequential that you have to file a claim right away, you can wait and have it filed in a couple of months, and then as long as that work is done in the two year period you'll be fine.

That's number one, the biggest thing, and number two, once you have filed the claim report, and again, I know we had talked right after the loss, just have patience because there have literally been thousands of claims throughout the city and a limited number of adjusters. We have to bear in mind that there's only a limited amount of adjusters and Saskatchewan has been hit very hard, not only in Moose Jaw — there's been flooding in Yorkton, hail in Melville, flooding in Estevan, Yorkton got flooded, as well as hail, and a lot of smaller communities have been hit as well.

Again, we just ask for patience. Get as many photos of the property as far as the damage is concerned and once a claim has been filed, there will be an adjuster that will get back to you, and at that time, I would suggest that you go out and get some quotes from different contractors because the insurance company will typically want a minimum of two quotes. There's people that are available out there, again, they are getting booked up quickly so I do recommend that you do get that.

Once the adjuster has got those quotes, then he will approve what can be done. You are responsible for your deductible. Typically what'll happen, you will pay the deductible to the contractor, and the insurance will pay the balance once it's been invoiced. Again, just bear with us, we'll get the claim processed and things will be done.

Rob: And if your home insurance is with Heritage Insurance, this is your first stop.

Greg: That is correct, just give us a shout and we'd be more than happy, and if there are any issues along the way, I know we've already had a few that we will get involved with the claims process and talk to the adjusters for you.

(Video transcription by Speechpad)

Time Limits For Filing Claims - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk

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