Filing a successful home insurance claim is not always an easy task to accomplish. There are plenty of hoops to jump through when filing such a claim, and if you aren’t sure how your insurance company and adjuster calculate depreciation for your home and property, you can risk losing thousands. In order to get the most out of your home insurance, when you need it most, it is important to understand how to file your claim successfully.
Before filing a home insurance claim, you should know its main purpose. Homeowners insurance provides protection for you, as a homeowner. This type of insurance can help save you the financial loss experienced with the damage or loss of your home, and often, the contents within it. There is a wide array of home insurance plans available and many vary in your particular region.
If you are planning on filing a home insurance claim, it is important to know and understand what type of claim you will be filing. The approach homeowners should take when filing a home insurance claim will depend on what type of loss you have experienced; theft, damage to the property, or a combination of losses. The type of claim will also differ if the loss was caused by a natural disaster. Some home insurance plans also cover injuries that have taken place on the premises.
When you have experienced a theft or damage to property at your home, you must first and foremost inform the law enforcement authorities. This is very important, even if expensive items are not stolen or damaged. Always be sure to keep several copies of the claim for your records and the insurance company. Before heading to the police, be sure to make a complete list of the damaged and stolen items so that all are included on the claim. Only the items on the police claim will be covered. Once you have made the police claim, contact your home insurance company and always ask if there are any special steps you need to take to ensure that the process moves smoothly.
For filing home insurance claims involving injuries, you must ensure that prompt and proper treatment be administered. Injuries that are covered by home insurance usually include sudden falls or injuries caused by tools. Always be sure to keep a copy of any medical receipts and prescriptions for the insurance company.
Natural disasters are also covered by home insurance policies, although you will want to make sure before making a claim that you have coverage. Some home insurance policies offer natural disaster coverage automatically, whilst others only offer it as an extra. Once you have experienced a natural disaster, contact both the insurance company and your local government to ensure quick and immediate assistance. Always cooperate with authorities and follow all policies and don’t forget to fill out the necessary claim forms, otherwise your claim will be denied.
Overall, making sure that you have plenty of documentation and backup is essential to filing a home insurance claim successfully. It is a great idea to keep a camera handy and take pictures of any damage, injuries, or items within the home, as this will help your claim go a little more smoothly. Also, it is important to keep a calm head and be patient when working with the police and insurance adjusters.
