Homeowners Insurance Claims

Our home is our sanctuary and whether it is broken into, damaged in a storm, or catastrophic destruction of some kind takes place, it is an emotionally charged event. Having quality Homeowners Insurance can give you peace of mind and the financial protection that you need if you ever need to make a claim on your homeowners insurance policy. Our job is to help you through these events and help you to get back into your home as quickly as possible. The first thing you should do, after contacting the appropriate authorities if needed, is to call us to get the claims process started. We can then immediately begin to assess your insurance policy to see what homeowners insurance coverage applies to your situation and the damages you’ve incurred.

 

Depending on the type of event that you experience, there are other steps you’ll need to take to ensure that your claim is processed quickly and efficiently and that you receive the full coverage you’ll need to recover:

 

  • If your home has been vandalized or burglarized, report it to the police immediately. You will then be able to obtain a police report to help substantiate your claim.
  • There is a time limit on filing claims so let us know right away that something has happened. Questions we can answer for you:  Are you covered for the current damage or catastrophic event? Will your claim exceed your deductible? How long will it take to process your claim? Will you need estimates for the repairs?
  • If applicable, protect your property from any further damage (tarping a hole in the roof, covering furniture with plastic, etc…) . Keep receipts for these purchases and you can submit them for reimbursement.
  • To substantiate your loss, if possible keep damaged items until the adjuster has been able to see them. You should also photograph and/or videotape the damage to further substantiate the damage. Keep a home inventory of your assets with model and serial numbers and make a copy for your adjuster. Keep copies of receipts when purchasing assets so you adjuster can better assess there replacement value.
  • A catastrophic event or a severely damaged home may require you to find other accommodations while repairs are being made. Keep records of any expenses that you incur while you are out of your home. If your policy provide coverage for “loss of use” you will be reimbursed for those expenses. However, you must make sure that you are covered for these additional living expenses.
  • Once we are notified of your claim, we arrange for the adjuster to come and inspect your home. The adjuster does not approve your claim, but gathers information to return to us so we can make the necessary determinations for your claim to be processed
  • Once the terms of your settlement are processed by the company, they can issue your payment. In most cases, your claim will be processed quickly.

If you have any questions about the claim filing laws or process, please contact us, your insurance agent or your state department of insurance.