How To File a Claim on Your Home Insurance Policy

Natural and man-made disasters make it imperative for homeowners to buy a home insurance policy. Like other types of insurance such as car insurance, motor insurance, property insurance and liability insurance, a home insurance policy is a means of protecting your hard-earned investment from seen and unforeseen risks. Of course, no one wishes to file a claim under his home insurance policy, but just in case you have to, you can follow the steps detailed below.

1. Notify your insurance agent and/or insurance company immediately after the damage has been sustained. If you have suffered from a natural catastrophe or your house has sustained a fire, call your insurance agent immediately so he can guide you on the next step you have to take under your particular policy. Make sure that you document your conversation with the insurance agent by taking note of the time and date of the call and summarizing important details. To be on the safe side, go online and do a follow up notification through email.
2. Document the extent of the damage to the property and your personal belongings. Using a digital camera or a video recorder, go from room to room and get a full picture of damaged and/or missing items. Support this visual documentation with a detailed description of the damage sustained by your house and structures. Also make a list of damaged or missing personal belongings, including furniture, jewelry, art objects, and appliances. Making this written documentation will be easier if you have a copy of the inventory of properties that you submitted to the insurance company when you purchased home insurance.
3. Make temporary repairs to your home.  Almost all home insurance policies make the homeowner responsible for preventing further damage to the house after a disaster has occurred. As such, do temporary repairs to your home to prevent looting or more permanent damage. For example, cover broken windows and leaking roofs with tarp. Keep track of expenses related to the temporary repairs you made so you can ask for reimbursement later on. Keep your expenses reasonable to avoid denial.
4. Make sure you’re home when the adjuster from the insurance company makes his inspection. The inspector will assess the damage to your home and personal belongings. He will be asking questions, and it will be better if you are there to answer them. You will also be discussing what repairs will be done.
5. Review your home insurance policy.  While waiting for your claim to be approved, take this time to review your policy. This way you will have an idea of what the insurance company should be granting you. If you think you have been shortchanged, talk with an insurance agent or file a complaint with the state insurance commissioner.

While you’re at it, take this time to review your policy. Maybe you are not getting the best home insurance policy you could get. Go online and find the best rates you can get for your home.  If you have a different provider for car insurance, ask them how much of a discount they can give you if you get a home insurance policy from them.