How To Approach Your Homeowner’s Insurance Claim

12/23/2018 (Permalink)

Flooded basement in Hopkinsville, KY

How To Approach Your Homeowner’s Insurance Claim

Navigating the process of making an insurance claim when your home has incurred damage can be daunting. Fortunately, most insurers have standardized procedures in order to facilitate filing. The following simple guidelines are instrumental in expediting the insurance process in Hopkinsville, KY.

1. Preparation

As soon as you notice a problem that could result in a legitimate claim, contact a representative from your insurance provider. Because subsequent remediation steps can take time, beginning promptly is critical. More importantly, claims must be filed within a certain time window by law to be valid. Take any necessary precautions to protect your home from ongoing damage, as this may not be covered by your policy. For example, any standing water from a flood should be removed in order to protect against long-term mold or rot.

2. Documentation

As your agency prepares to send an adjuster to confirm the insurance claim, the claimant should begin to collect proof of the damages. Many providers will want photographs of the affected portion of the home, as well as any receipts for urgent repairs, temporary lodging or other expenses directly related to the incident. A finalized inventory of all affected belongings will be helpful at this stage.

3. Verification

Typically, an adjuster or other employee from the insurance agency will need to visit the home in person in order to verify the claim and its relationship to the homeowner’s existing policy. At this stage, the documentation must be made available to the representative. This should include any estimates from professional repair or cleanup services. For example, a pipe burst would require the adjuster to both see the damaged plumbing as well as any receipts for replacement parts and flooring repair.

Making an insurance claim can be an arduous process, but the peace of mind afforded by a robust policy outweighs any minor difficulties. By familiarizing yourself with the claim procedures, you can be prepared for a number of potential problems.