None of us want to think about it, but it’s the reason we have homeowner’s insurance: at some point, we may need to file a claim. And whether the reason is due to theft or damage from a fire or other covered disaster, chances are the cause of the claim will have us a little stressed.
In times like this, it’s important to know that you have a good policy and agent, like Superior Insurance and Auto Tags, to back you up, and that you know what’s needed to successfully file a claim. These tips will help you prepare so that, if an emergency does occur, you are ready to benefit from your homeowner’s insurance policy:
• Contact the police if needed
Not every incident that leads to you filing a homeowner’s insurance claim will require you to fill out a report—for example, shingles being torn off your roof in an intense storm may warrant a claim, but definitely not a call to the authorities. If, however, you have been the victim of a crime like burglary or vandalism, it is essential to file a report with the police before doing anything else. Likewise if your home has been damaged by fire, you should immediately file a report with the fire department. Be sure as well to hold on to your copies of any reports you file. This is a critical first step to ensuring you are documenting and gaining evidence through all the proper channels, and will support you in a more successful claims process.
• Photograph the damage
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and when it comes to documenting damage for a homeowner’s insurance claim, they are right. While you should still write down the details of the incident that caused the damage as soon as possible to avoid forgetting any relevant information, document the damage with pictures from multiple angles as well. If the incident occurred at night and it’s not possible to get a good shot, take the photos as soon as you have the benefit of the morning light. Pictures can assist you in proving the extent and timing of damage and help in supporting your claim.
• Contact your insurance agent
Your next call after the authorities if they are needed is your insurance agent. The sooner you contact your agent, the better. Not only will the details be fresher in your mind, but certain elements of your claim may be time sensitive. There may also be actions you should take and that your agent can advise you on to increase your chances for a more successful claim. Finally, the sooner you initiate a claim, the faster you can receive reimbursement for your damages.
• Work with your adjustor
If the damage is more than superficial, your insurance company will most likely send out an adjustor to inspect it and determine how much the damage is worth. You should have your own estimate ahead of time and accompany the insurance adjustor as he or she inspects the damage. Provide the adjustor with all of the required information and documentation so the fairest decision can be made about whether to grant your claim and, if so, how much you’ll get to make the needed repairs.
• Keep track of your expenses
If you have to make some minor repairs to your home to make it livable while you are waiting for your claim to be decided, keep track of the expenses, hold on to receipts, and check with your insurance agent to be sure you can be reimbursed once the claim comes through.
For questions about how to benefit from the protection of your homeowner’s policy, speak with an expert insurance agent at Superior Insurance and Auto Tags today!