Filing a home insurance claim

Anything can happen in life, and if you're a homeowner, having the right homeowners insurance policy can help provide peace of mind by ensuring that certain damages and losses are covered in the event of a disaster. While homeowners insurance is not always required, it can be a wise way to protect your finances from claim-related losses.

However, when it comes time to file a claim, you may not always know what to do. The claims process can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be. In the article below, StrongInsurance experts have outlined everything you need to know about filing a home insurance claim, from the types of claimable events to the steps for filing a claim.

What events can be claimed on your homeowners insurance?

A homeowner may need to file a claim in a variety of situations. In general, consulting your policy and speaking with your insurer to determine which perils are covered is a good place to start.

But what exactly does homeowners insurance cover? Below are some of the most common sources of loss you may encounter.

*This table should only be used as a guide, as all policies are different and may or may not cover different perils.

Protections may differ depending on the provider and policy you select. Water damage coverage, for example, can be difficult to obtain and is frequently limited. Speaking with your agent or a company representative to ensure you understand your policy's coverage before damage occurs may be a good idea.

Because of their unique needs, first-time homebuyers may approach their policy differently. To be safe, always review your policy and consult with an agent before making a purchase.

How to file a home insurance claim

As soon as a loss occurs, contact your home insurance company for assistance in filing your claim. Each insurance company has its own claim process, which policyholders must adhere to. The sooner you file a claim, the sooner you may be able to resolve the problem.

Contact your insurer

Experts generally advise filing a claim as soon as possible because it may affect how smoothly the process proceeds. According to David Adler, president and owner of Adler Insurance Group, an Allstate insurance agency in Denver, verifying your policy's listed perils with your insurer is an important step in the process.

"Ask them if this specific loss is covered by your policy," says Adler. "Know your policy limits as well as what your deductible costs will be." If your deductible is greater than the loss, it is unlikely that you should file a claim."

Speaking directly with your provider can answer many questions about specific losses and what to file under your homeowners insurance.

Fill out requested claims forms

Following the filing of your claim, your insurance provider may request that you complete certain forms documenting the damage to your home or belongings. You may be required to supply the following information:

• Personal information, like your name and date of birth
• Policy number
• Date of the incident
• Cause of the loss
• Estimated loss amount

Many insurance experts also advise you to submit photographic and video evidence to back up your claim.

Have your claim inspected

Following the submission of your claim, the insurance company will usually dispatch a claims adjuster to thoroughly assess the situation.

For over two decades, John Espenschied, owner of Insurance Brokers Group in Chesterfield, Missouri, has assisted homeowners and business owners with their insurance needs. At this point, he offers homeowners friendly expert advice.

"If there was any damage done, make sure the adjuster inspects the property with you present before writing up a damage estimate," Espenscheid advises. "Once they leave, their only source of information will be the paperwork they received from you." If anything was overlooked during their inspection, it could cause problems later on when attempting to be reimbursed for those items missing from their report."

"Make a list of any damaged items and don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion from an outside, independent appraiser," Espenschied advises his clients.

Adler suggests bringing a contractor of your choice to the adjuster's inspection to help you voice your concerns. You may even want to hire a public adjuster in some cases. It usually takes a few days for your insurance company to contact you to schedule an appointment with an insurance adjuster, but if your area sustained extensive damage, the process may be slowed.

Help prevent further damage

You must manage your home while you wait for the situation to be resolved. Experts advise you to try to limit further damage wherever possible.

Country Financial's director of property claims, John Butkus, offers some advice to homeowners on how to avoid further damage. These include cleaning up after yourself, boarding up broken windows, and covering holes with tarps. Butkus also advises keeping any receipts for basic repairs, as well as the items purchased to complete them.

Nicole Shacket, an Insurance Litigation Group litigation attorney, advises homeowners to keep copies of any signed documents. "Take a picture of the entire document with your phone if you sign an agreement, work authorization, or any other type of document with a contractor." Know what you signed, when you signed it, who you signed it with, and for what."

Complete repairs

After your appointment with the insurance adjuster, you may have to wait for your insurance company to send you the claim payout checks so you can finish your repairs. Your payout may be distributed in multiple installments, allowing you to work in stages as you make temporary repairs, replace your belongings, and complete more permanent repairs.

Things could get expensive if you incur other costs in the meantime, such as moving out of your home. Fortunately, most homeowner policies cover additional living expenses incurred as a result of a covered loss, such as eating out or staying in a hotel. Some providers, according to Butkus, may even issue checks to policyholders on the spot.

Tips for filing a home insurance claim

You can simplify the process of filing a home insurance claim by doing the following:

• Maintain an up-to-date home inventory: It can be difficult to recall even the most basic details about your belongings after a covered event. Keeping a home inventory with purchase information, including identifying data such as serial numbers and receipts, may make recouping the value of your items or purchasing replacements easier.
• Avoid throwing away damaged items: While it may be tempting to clean up quickly after your home has been damaged, doing so can make it more difficult for the insurance adjuster to process the claim. You should avoid throwing away damaged items until the claims adjuster has assessed your home and contents, and you should keep receipts for reimbursement if you have to purchase items as part of the clean up process.
• Maintain backup copies of important paperwork: After a home has been damaged, home inventories and other important paperwork can be destroyed or become unusable. Consider storing copies of important paperwork away from home, such as in a safe deposit box or digital copies on the cloud or computer server.
• Include photos or video in your home inventory: Many homeowners do not consider taking photos until an incident occurs. Taking photos or videos of your home and belongings prior to any incidents, on the other hand, can aid in the claims process, especially if there are no other identifying factors, such as serial numbers.

Questions to ask before filing a claim

Before filing a home insurance claim, you should think about your answers to the following questions. This may help you decide whether it is worthwhile to file a claim.

• How much do repairs cost in comparison to my deductible?
• What effect will a claim have on my homeowners insurance rates?
• Will I lose policy discounts for being claim-free?
• How long does a claim remain on my record?
• Is it possible that I filed too many claims and that I will be nonrenewed or canceled?
• Was I negligent in any way, such as poor maintenance, that contributed to the damage?

Terms to know when filing a home insurance claim

When filing a home insurance claim, you may come across some common terms and phrases.

What to do if your insurance claim is denied

Every insurance claim that is submitted will not be approved. So, if your insurance claim is denied, what should you do? The insurance company should send you an explanation letter outlining why the claim was denied. You may be able to appeal the decision depending on the reason.

Assume your claim was denied because the insurance company determined the loss was not a covered peril, but you believe the damage should be covered. In that case, you may be able to file an appeal with the insurance company yourself, or you may wish to consult with a public adjuster or an attorney about next steps. If you decide to file the claim on your own, make sure to check the process your insurance company uses to provide your next steps. Even if you file an appeal, there is no guarantee that your claim will be approved.