How to file a home insurance claim

Filing a home insurance claim can be a traumatic event depending on the circumstances. Knowing how to take care of one on a step by step basis can hopefully help you to get through it easier. In this article we go through an 8 step approach to filing and completing your homeowners insurance claim.

Depending on the home insurance company your policy is through, the process can vary. The steps below will give you a general sense of what you need to do to file your claim, but please always do your own research and ask your insurance agent questions. 

Step 1; Contact your local police department and file a report

If you are the recent victim of a home burglary, the first thing you’ll want to do is contact your local law enforcement. If your claim involves theft, you will need to present a police report to the insurance company.

Step 2; Get in contact with your insurance company

Next step you’re going to want to take is getting in contact with your homeowners insurance company. After reviewing your claim and investigating, your insurance company should be able to let you know if your policy will cover the claim, as well as give you directions on how to file your claim. There’s also a chance they may be able to give you an estimate of the loss amount and whether or not it’s going to be covered. 

Use this opportunity to ask the insurance company questions you may need clarification on. You may be interested in the timeframe or how the deductible works. 

Step 3; Fill out the claim documents

The insurance company should give you the paperwork necessary to file your claim. One of the main documents will be your proof-of-loss form. In this form you’ll provide your personal information, the part of the home affected, cause of loss, and an estimate of your loss. You can also submit images or video evidence if you have it available. 

Most claim forms will need to be sent back to the insurance company within a certain timeframe, by law. Once everything is complete, please make sure to get it back to the insurance company as soon as you can to avoid any delays. 

Step 4; Provide the insurance company with all the proper documents 

Documenting everything lost or damaged is very important when it comes to reimbursement. Make sure you keep receipts, emails and other documents that you may need later. Having a thorough list of your personal belongings will help you out a great deal. 

Step 5; Prevent any further damage to your home

If it appears that some of the damage may become worse, you may want to fix what you can to prevent more damage to the home. At this point you may not know what the insurance company will cover and giving the insurance company less to cover will always benefit you in the end. If you see a leak or a hole that may end in water damage, do your best to fix it or at least prevent it from making things worse. 

Step 6; Get prepared for the home insurance adjuster

The majority of homeowners insurance claims will require a visit from an insurance adjuster. They need to take a look at the home and evaluate the damage. They will confirm all the details relevant to the claim. 

The adjuster may need to confirm the cause of the damage. Make a detailed assessment of the home and review all damage. 

You may be required to present the adjuster with information and documents relevant to your claim. For example receipts, images, video, or a home inventory. 

If there’s a liability claim involved you may be required to present doctors notes and contact information. As well as lawyers and anyone else involved or familiar with the claim. 

You may also have to do a thorough interview as the policy holder. 

Step 7; Gather estimates for the repairs

You’re going to want to have a good idea of what it will cost to repair or rebuild the home. Getting estimates and quotes from local contractors and give you a good idea of the total costs that may be involved. This is important to know when you receive your settlement. 

Step 8; Collect your claim payout and start the repairs to the home

Once everything is said and done and the adjuster and the insurance company approve your claim, the insurance company will issue a check. If there is a mortgage attached to the home the insurance company may send out two checks. One is sent to you and one is sent to the lender. In the event of damage to the structure of the home, the mortgage company receives equal rights to the insurance proceeds to ensure the proper repairs are done. Typically the lender keeps the funds in an escrow account and releases them as the repairs are completed. 

If you have additional questions regarding homeowners insurance or need help getting a better home insurance policy, the agents at Eugene C Yates Insurance Agency are always willing and available to help! Give us a call today, we’d love to talk with you! 916 313 6100