Making An Insurance Claim On Your Home

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

If you experience an unfortunate event at your home, such as damage from fire or water damage from flooding, you may need to file a claim with your insurance company. A claim against your homeowner’s policy comes with rules and procedures that must be followed by both yourself and your insurer. Here are some tips on making an insurance claim on your home:

• Read your policy. Make sure you know exactly what your responsibilities are and how to fulfill them. 

• Contact your insurer right away, and ask questions. Am I covered? How long do I have to file a claim? Is it possible that my claim will exceed my deductible? Keep in mind that if your loss is lower than your deductible, you probably won’t want to go through the claims filing process. How long will it take to process my claim? Do I need to obtain estimates for repairs to structural damage?
• Fill out all claim forms promptly. Your insurance company will send you the necessary claim forms if it is established that you will be making a claim, and by law, these must be sent to you within a specified time period. Make sure that these forms are returned and properly filled out as soon as possible so that there are no delays. 
• Inspection. Your insurance company will probably arrange for an adjuster to come and inspect your home. An adjuster is a representative of your insurance company who inspects property damage to determine how much the insurance company should pay for the loss. You can expect to be interviewed.
• Preparation. Be prepared to show the adjuster any structural damage and have a list of damaged items ready so you can make the best use of their time.
• Repairs. Photograph or videotape all damage, and then take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage. If possible, avoid throwing out damaged items until the adjuster has visited your home. Save receipts for what you spend, as you may be able to submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement later.
• Lost or Damaged Articles. You are going to have to substantiate your loss, so make a list of destroyed or damaged items, and make sure there is a copy of the list for your adjuster as well as copies of all receipts for replacement items. 
• Relocation. If your home is so damaged that you need to find other accommodations while repairs are being made, keep receipts and records of all the additional expenses you incur. Most homeowners' insurance policies provide coverage for additional living expenses when a move is necessary, but you’ll need to provide proof of the costs.

When it comes to a disaster in your home, SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is here to help. We are experts at repairs and renovations for homes that have experienced fire damage or water damage. Mold remediation is another one of our specialties, and we are skilled at carpet-cleaning after an event that damages your flooring.