The reason you bought home insurance was to protect your home and finances in the event of an accident or natural disaster. But if something does happen to your home, do you know how to file home insurance claims? Here are some simple steps to take when you file home insurance claims.

Keep a Detailed Description of Damage for Home Insurance Claims

When you file home insurance claims, you will need to know exactly what has been damaged or stolen.  Make a list of all damages including photographs if possible.  Collect cancelled checks, receipts and other documents to help the home insurance claims adjuster set a value on damaged or destroyed property.

Contact Your Home Insurance Claims Agent or Company

Most home insurance policies have some kind of time limit for filing home insurance claims.  The sooner you talk to your agent or company the sooner you can get the ball rolling on your home insurance claims.  Ask your agent or company whether your policy covers the damage to your home and how long it will take to process your home insurance claims.

Do Not Make Permanent Repairs

Before a home insurance claims adjuster inspects your home, avoid making any permanent repairs. Go ahead and make temporary repairs to protect your home from looting or further damage. Your insurance company may deny your home insurance claims if you make permanent repairs before the home insurance claims adjuster inspects the damage.  Also, save all receipts from temporary repairs and submit them to the insurance company for reimbursement.

Get Home Insurance Claims Forms

After you have contacted your insurance company about your home insurance claims, they have set amount of time to send you your home insurance claims forms (the time period varies from state to state.)  Fill out the home insurance claims forms and return them to your insurance company quickly to keep the claims process moving.

Home Insurance Claims Adjuster Inspection—Take Good Notes

Your insurance company will arrange for a home insurance claims adjuster to come and inspect your home.  Take notes on all contacts with your insurance company and the home insurance claims adjuster.  Your chance of getting a satisfactory settlement improves when you are well-prepared with the facts.  Write down names, dates, and who said what.  Remember, good records help your cause if you want to launch a complaint with the Department of Insurance about an insurance company’s decision or contest it in court.

Don’t agree to a final claim settlement until you are satisfied that it is fair.  You’re entitled to obtain independent estimates if you wish.

After major claims events (disasters, storms etc), “public adjusters” offer to help victims pursue their home insurance claims—for a price.  You probably don’t need a public adjuster, but if you hire one, be sure about the fee.  Usually, it’s a percentage of your claim payment.

Get Multiple Bids for All Work

Try to use a local contractor with a good reputation for home insurance claims work.  Large home insurance claims events like storms often attract fly-by-night operators who do shoddy work or skip town after receiving advance payments.

Taking time to browse over your home insurance policy will help familiarize yourself with the details in case you have to file home insurance claims.  If you are paying too much for your home insurance coverage, use M Squared’s online quote form to help you compare home insurance quotes in minutes.