Most homeowners get frustrated looking at piles of their damaged possessions. It creates a lot of emotion and many people just want it gone so it’s not a constant source of the tragedy. However, disposing of it before it’s been paid for by your insurance company can backfire on you. Your insurance company has the right to inspect any damaged property as often as necessary in order to validate your claim for damage. So, even though you may have photos of various items, if you haven’t got an agreed replacement cost value in writing, I would hang on to it.
It is also important to check with your insurance company and follow their guidelines for disposing of damaged personal property and contents. They may require that the items be kept until their adjuster has had a chance to inspect them, or they may require that the items be kept until they have completed their investigation.
In addition, it is important to follow local laws and regulations for disposing of damaged personal property and contents – particularly if there is any asbestos contamination or sewer water contamination. Many municipalities have rules regarding hazardous materials or environmental concerns.
In general, it is recommended that homeowners do not dispose of any damaged personal property or contents until they have settled with their insurance company and followed their guidelines. Disposing of items prematurely may result in a lower settlement from the insurance company.
