When an unforeseen disaster occurs, making your housing uninhabitable, you and your loved ones need temporary housing that not only meets your needs, but feels like a home away from home. From hotels to apartments to homes, Away Home will work with you to ensure your temporary living situation feels as much like home as possible.
If you have some questions about our services, we have provided answers to some of our frequently asked questions below.
Do I have to use a company the insurance company recommends?
Not at all! The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services requires that a policyholder be allowed to choose any vendor they want. Away Home works with every insurance carrier and will reach an agreed amount for services rendered while being mindful of your policy limits for Additional Living Expenses (ALE). It is illegal for an insurance company to require the use of any particular service vendor.
Do I have enough coverage for my additional living expenses?
Away Home staffs previously licensed insurance adjusters that will review your particular loss situation and any additional living needs. The answer to this question is: you likely do – but a careful examination of your situation is a part of every client interaction we have.
I can never get ahold of my insurance adjuster. Can Away Home help me with communication breakdowns?
Absolutely. An unfortunate reality of the industry is that there are simply not enough highly skilled, veteran insurance adjusters working within claims to provide optimal customer service experiences to homeowners in Michigan. There are many methods to get an adjuster’s attention if appropriate attention isn’t being given.
Are there other services Away Home offers besides facilitation of my additional living needs?
Yes! Our firm and its staff boast a depth of knowledge related to homeowner claims that is unparalleled by its competition because of the time spent working as previously licensed adjusters, general contractors, and specialized mitigation vendors. It’s important to note that we are not licensed public adjusters or independent adjusters – and we do not claim to be. The fact of the matter is: you don’t necessarily need those costly types of services in the state of Michigan due to the laws in place that empower the policyholder over the insurance carrier. Contact us today to discuss our consulting services.
I’m already working with a company like Away Home and I’m not happy – can I switch companies?
The answer depends on any contract you’ve signed. While we can’t provide any legal advice: Away Home would be happy to review any signed work authorization to see if language is present that locks you into some form of an agreement. If, for example, a company has placed you into a hotel that is less than desirable – it is very likely we would be able to help you break away from that company and get you the temporary accommodations and service that you deserve.
Do I owe a separate deductible to obtain benefits paid out under my Additional Living Expense coverage?
Every insurance policy is a little bit different, but generally the answer is no.
I keep hearing the terms “Additional Living Expenses” – does this only relate to moving into a hotel or a rented home temporarily?
Not at all. There are many benefits you are entitled to under this coverage that your insurance adjuster may or may not have presented. A great insurance adjuster will anticipate the needs and even the questions a policyholder will have. Due to the fact that many adjusters are simply given too many claim files to handle, a lot of benefits a policyholder is owed may never even be offered.
Is my insurance company bad? Can I trust my insurance adjuster?
Away Home believes insurance companies and adjusters are not inherently bad. However, as with most things in life: there exists both good and bad -- and of course human error and inexperience. We have the privilege of receiving direct referrals from licensed insurance agents and insurance adjusters regularly and can attest that it simply depends on the individual. Our approach is to always assume the insurer’s intentions are good until and unless this is proven otherwise.
Do you recommend anyone to assist me with other services for my claim?
Yes. Because our company boasts decades of combined experience between its representatives, we’ve forged extremely valuable relationships with insurance agents and licensed contractors and have successfully separated the wheat from the chaff. Please contact us today and we’d be glad to refer you to a trusted and highly vetted member of our network.
My family has special needs… is this something Away Home can address?
Your family with special needs holds a very special place in our hearts, as a lot of our employees share these unique challenges. Whether that be ADA compliance for handicap accessibility, or working with sensitivities in high and low support needs children/adults: Away Home can and will truly accommodate all that come to us.
Have further questions regarding our services? Contact the experts at Away Home today. We are happy to answer any questions you have.