As a homeowner, there’s a good chance there will come a time you’ll need to file a home insurance claim. There are many reasons for doing so, including if your home has suffered storm damage, fire or smoke damage, and many other incidents.
Here are some useful tips for how to file a home insurance claim to increase the likelihood of your claim being approved.
Only file for covered losses
Homeowners should review their home insurance policy at least once a year. This will help them become familiar with exactly what type of coverage they have. In fact, many homeowners don’t realize there are different types of home insurance to begin with.
The most basic home insurance policy covers only specific incidents while more comprehensive policies cover almost everything except what’s specifically excluded.
Make sure the claim you intend to make isn’t one of the exclusions listed in your policy. Otherwise, there’s no use filing a claim because it will be denied if the peril isn’t covered.
Have all of the information you need
Now that you’ve reviewed your policy and you know what’s covered and what’s not, you’ll want to gather all necessary information for filing a claim.
This includes:
- Photos of the damage to show the adjustor
- Estimates from contractors and provide them to the adjustor as well (if applicable)
- Receipts from emergency repairs that have already been done
- Receipts from additional living expenses if you were unable to live in your home
Know where to file a home insurance claim
Your home insurance policy should include information about how and where to file a claim. Many companies allow policyholders to file online, but you may need to call a claims department directly. Contacting your agent is a good first step, but many providers have a separate department to handle claims so you may be redirected there.
Don’t forget to ask for the name and contact information of the adjustor who handles your claim. You want to contact them directly if you have any questions or concerns throughout the claims process.
Deciding to file a claim
Once you’ve gotten more information about what the claims process could look like for your specific claim, including your deductible and how much you’ll be reimbursed, you’ll need to decide if you’ll go forward with the claim. It’s generally best to file a claim only when the damage is significant. But if you follow these tips, your claim should be processed quickly and accurately.
Call Salt Lake City Insurance today to learn about our claims process and getting the coverage you need for your home.
