When disasters and losses caused by theft, flood, hail, and accidents happen, your home insurance can be the best solution to get your life back on track. That is why when you file a claim, making sure that you’ll get the full compensation that you’re entitled to. How you can manage your claim is up to you, but it’s important to know what to expect and what you need to do before filing one. To help you get the most out of your home insurance claim, we’ve made a comprehensive guide below.
Know your insurance policy
Knowing your limits, coverage, and deductibles will help you in filing and organizing your claim. Once you’ve purchased homeowners insurance for your property, always review and understand the terms, conditions, and everything stated in the contractual agreement. Don’t wait until filing a claim or until a disaster strikes before you fully review your policy. If you don’t clearly understand some of the terms stated, get some help from an agent to explain everything clearly.
Examining your policy will also help you know if you have the right home insurance for your needs or you’re underinsured and the things you really need are not included in the premium you’ve purchased. Check the limits and deductibles since this will determine how much out-of-the-pocket payment from you is needed for home repair or replacement costs.
Control the damage
Make sure the damage won’t go from bad to worse. If there’s a flood inside your home, secure the things that can be damaged such as appliances and shut off your water and electricity source. If there are holes in your windows, walls, and roof, cover it if you can to prevent the flood from going inside your home. Be careful if you have to clean some spaces with broken glass or cut wires and use a ladder if you have to reach something. You should always think about your safety because it’s more important than money.
Take photos of the damage and loss
Before and after photos or videos of the damages in your home is important before you make temporary repairs on it or before cleaning out your home if it’s really necessary. This will be your proof that the damages really exist. If you’re videotaping, make sure to add notes or describe what you’re documenting so it can be easier for the insurance company to know which areas need repairs and which belongings need replacement.
Call the insurance company
The reason why you’ve purchased an insurance policy is that you and your home need protection so when something unexpected happens, assess whether you will be filing a claim or not. You might think that the damage can be prevented without making any claims or you’re assuming that the damage is not covered by your home insurance policy, that’s why you’re not calling your insurer. However, contacting them is important to find out how much your compensation will be, to know if the cause of the claim is covered and if you have a deductible to pay, and to get advice on what you should do next after filing a claim.
Final Thoughts
These tips are just some of the major things that we suggest to consider to get the most out of your home insurance claim. Having enough knowledge about your own home insurance policy is very important. Reviewing your policy and making sure that the terms and conditions stated in it are up to date to help avoid any complications when filing a claim.
