Homeowners insurance is a type of insurance policy that protects homeowners from damages due to fires, burglary, natural disasters, and many other unfortunate circumstances. You can file a homeowners insurance claim if a covered incident results in damages to your home and its contents.
Your claim will be reviewed and will either be approved or denied. It is important to know which damages are covered and how the process of filing a home insurance claim works. The first step is to understand the extent of coverage offered by a standard homeowners insurance policy.
What Does a Home Insurance Policy Cover?
Knowing what is covered by your homeowners insurance will help determine the amount of claim you can file with your insurer. Home insurance policies cover damages caused by covered perils to the exterior and interior of your house.
A standard homeowners insurance policy covers you if your home is vandalized or your personal belongings are stolen from your house. It also covers several incidences of fire as specified in the policy. In the event of floods or earthquakes, you may need additional insurance if you live in an area prone to such disasters or if they are not covered by your standard homeowners policy. To have a clear understanding of what is covered by your home insurance policy, make sure to contact your insurer.
How to File a Home Insurance Claim
The following are the steps that you need to take while filing a homeowners insurance claim.
- Contact Your Local Police, If Needed
If an incident such as vandalism or theft occurs within your home, you may need to report the incident first to your local police. This is because your insurance provider will require you to present a police report validating the incident to support your claim.
- Contact Your Insurance Provider
The next step is to contact your insurer as soon as possible. If the claim does not require a police report, then contacting your insurer should be the first step. You will need to fill out a claims form for your insurer to get specific details about your claim, such as location, date of the incident, cause, and damages.
- Prepare the Necessary Documentation
Take notes, photographs, or videos of the aftermath, as soon as the incident occurs and before any cleanup to provide a documented proof of your claim. The insurer will likely need to review the site for accurate claim handling.
- Cooperate with the Claims Adjuster
The insurance company will send a claims adjuster to verify and assess the situation. To ensure the process goes smoothly, cooperate with the claims adjuster and supply all necessary information.
- Make Necessary Repairs to Prevent Further Damages
In the meantime, you can make the necessary repairs as further damage could occur in cases involving burst pipes or a leaky roof. After making the necessary repairs, ensure you keep all receipts and present them to your insurer for reimbursement.
After the claims adjuster has completed the investigation, you will receive a letter stating whether your claim has been approved. Some insurers pay a lump sum settlement while others pay multiple checks.
This is what you can expect while filing a homeowners insurance claim. Safeguard your property with quality homeowners insurance. Contact our team at Lou Aggetta Insurance Services in Pleasant Hill to get started on your tailored policy.