Process of Filing a Home Insurance Claim

What Exactly Is An Insurance Claim?

Homeowners insurance covers more than just your house's construction. If anything bad happens to your house, personal possessions, a structure on your property, or a guest in your home, you may want to file an insurance claim to take benefit of that coverage.

The following are the most frequent coverages included in a house insurance policy:

Dwelling insurance

Protects the structure of your house, including additional structures like a garage and built-in appliances.

Personal property insurance

Clothing, electronics, and kitchen equipment are examples

Other structures coverage

Protects structures on your property such as a detached garage, fence, pier, or gazebo.

Liability and medical insurance

Are required in the event that someone is hurt on your property, such as from a dog bite.

Additional living expenses (ALE)

Insurance covers the costs of temporary lodging if you are forced to leave your home due to a covered claim.

These coverages protect you against a variety of risks as mentioned in your insurance policy paperwork. Fire, theft, wind, and hail are some of the most typical hazards.

If a covered risk damages your home or property, you can make an insurance claim to have your home's insurance provider pay to repair or replace your personal property.

For example, if a hail storm damages your roof, causing it to leak, you might make a claim with your insurance provider to repair the roof as well as any damage to your ceiling and any furniture or flooring in the area below.

When Is The Best Time To Submit A Home Insurance Claim?

Before filing an insurance claim, check your policy to ensure that the damage or loss is covered by your homeowner’s insurance. If you're unsure, you might be able to receive some advice from your insurance agent.

Once you've determined if your policy covers the damage, file your claim as quickly as possible. Most firms require claims to be filed within one year of the loss, however, this varies by jurisdiction. The longer you wait to make a claim, however, the more difficult it can be to verify the cause of the harm. Secondary damage can develop if repairs aren't completed quickly away, and it's possible that it won't be covered.

What Is The Procedure For Making A Claim?

Filing an insurance claim is a multi-step procedure, and not all claims are processed in the same sequence or on the same timeline. This is the procedure we propose for a successful claims experience.

Step 1: Submit a police complaint.

Contact the police immediately if your claim includes theft, arson, or any other unlawful action. Call 911 only if the crime is in progress; otherwise, call your local police department's non-emergency number. An officer may not arrive right away because they must prioritize ongoing crimes and emergencies.

Some departments need you to file your report in person, so plan on going to the police station.

Step 2: Take pictures of the damage.

It's critical to document the damage before you start cleaning it. Take photos and videos, which you will need to send to your insurance carrier as documentation with your claim.

Step 3: Get in touch with your insurance carrier.

You must make a claim with the insurance company after you have inventoried the damage. Many insurance providers allow you to submit basic claims online. Contact your agent directly or call the phone number indicated on your policy for bigger claims.

Step 4: Perform interim fixes

Now that your insurance provider is aware of the damage and has evidence, you must make interim repairs to prevent further harm.

If your roof started leaking during a storm, place a tarp over the damaged area to prevent further damage.

If you're not confident in your ability to do repairs, hire a handyman. Keep all receipts for supplies and services so you may receive reimbursement from your insurance carrier.

Step 5: Get ready to meet with the home insurance adjuster.

Your home's insurance provider will next dispatch an insurance adjuster to assess the damage. You may not need to be at home for the adjuster's visits, depending on where the damage is located.

However, accompanying your adjuster through the damage may be beneficial since it allows you to show them any damaged things that may have been overlooked, offer photographs or video of the damage, and ask questions concerning your policy.

The adjuster's role is to figure out how much your insurance company will payout, and you may anticipate them to:

•Examine the source of the harm to ensure that it is covered.

•You will be interviewed about the incident.

•Examine the construction of your home.

•Collect contact information for anybody with knowledge regarding the claim, such as witnesses, physicians, or attorneys.

Step 6: Obtain Repair Estimates.

To begin the repair procedure, conduct research and contact local contractors. It's critical to compare at least three quotations to ensure that you're working with a trustworthy firm you can trust and that they're asking a reasonable fee.

Step 7: Go over the agreement again.

You'll get a settlement offer when your insurance adjuster completes their study. Examine the offer carefully since accepting it will result in the closure of your claim. If the offer does not cover the repair estimates you've received, you can request that your insurance company re-evaluate your claim.

If you are still dissatisfied with the outcome, you have the option of hiring a public adjuster. A public adjuster will analyze your claim on your behalf and can assist you in negotiating a fee with the insurance company.

Step 8: Collect the claim payment and fix the damage.

Your insurance provider will either give you a check or begin an electronic transfer once you have accepted the settlement. If you have a significant claim, the insurance company may make two payments: one to select a contractor and begin work, and another when the adjuster inspects the finished repair.

If your claim includes substantial structural damage, you may get an initial payment shortly after filing your claim, allowing you to begin repairs right away. Unlike a settlement offer, you can file another claim if further harm is discovered after repair begins.

How Long Does It Take To Settle A House Insurance Claim?

Home insurance claims can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years to settle, depending on the amount of damage and how diligent you are in following up with the insurance provider.

For example, if someone came into your home and stole your office equipment, but you have receipts and paperwork for everything that went missing, filing an insurance claim may be a breeze.

On the other hand, if your entire home needs to be rebuilt after a fire, the building process might take several years. In such a situation, your claim would be active until your new home was completed.

Tips For Filing A Homeowners Insurance Claim

It might be challenging to navigate the claims procedure for the first time. It's difficult to judge if you're doing anything correctly without any prior expertise. Here are a few pointers to make your claims procedure go as smoothly as possible:

Begin Compiling A House Inventory List.

When damage happens, keeping an inventory of your personal possessions might assist in speeding the claims process. Make a list of everything you own, including furniture, artwork, and jewels. Include as much information about each item as possible, such as the purchase date, original price or appraised worth, and images. Having a precise list to provide your insurance company can make determining the worth of any damaged goods much easier.

Maintain A Paper Trail

You will have discussions with a variety of persons during the claims process. Begin a file to record phone conversations and meetings, as well as who you spoke with and what they said. Keep receipts for anything you spent prior to achieving an insurance settlement, such as supplies for interim repairs and living expenditures if your house is uninhabitable.

Obtain Quotes Before Your Adjuster Arrives.

Before meeting with your adjuster, it may be incredibly beneficial to have an idea of how much it will cost to repair the damage to your house. Meeting with contractors ahead of time can assist you to understand the amount of work required to complete the repairs and the cost. Providing cost documents can also assist ensure that your compensation is sufficient to fund repairs.

Keep An Eye On The Situation, But Be Patient.

Insurance claims can take weeks, months, or even years to resolve, depending on the degree of the damage.

Discuss the length of the project with your adjuster and contractor ahead of time so you know what to expect.

Then, to minimize any extra delays in the process, make sure you follow up on a frequent basis. Just keep in mind that repairs will take time.

Engage The Services Of A Public Adjuster Or A Lawyer.

If you are dissatisfied with the way your claim is being handled, seeking a second opinion may be beneficial. A public adjuster or a lawyer can assist you to understand what your policy covers. You can contest the settlement offer if they determine that your insurance provider is not giving you a fair pay-out.

Commonly Asked Questions

Is it necessary to obtain an estimate before making a claim?

Obtaining repair quotes prior to filing an insurance claim is not required, but it might assist you in determining if it makes sense to do so. If your repairs are less than or near your deductible, the possible increase in your insurance rate may not be worth it.

How Long Are Homeowners’ Insurance Claims On Your Record?

The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report is used by insurance firms to assess the risk of insuring a homeowner or property. The CLUE report provides a seven-year history of claims.

If I file a claim, will my homeowner’s insurance rates rise?

A single claim for a residence or personal property will not normally result in a rate rise. Filing many small claims in a short period of time, on the other hand, might result in higher rates. Because liability claims entail higher rewards, you're more likely to experience a rate hike after filing one.

Does my home's insurance claim history effect my rates?

CLUE is also informed of your home's claim history. If your house has had a number of claims, insurers may be concerned that it may have problems that lead to future claims, which can raise your insurance premiums.

Can you retain the money from your home insurance claim?

The proceeds from your insurance claim should be utilized to repair or replace any damage to your house or personal goods. However, unless your insurance policy says that unused money must be returned, you are free to retain any leftover cash when the repairs are completed.