When Disaster Strikes: How to File a Home Insurance Claim

Home insurance companies are sensitive about the number of claims filed by policyholders. Some policy holders have learned this lesson the hard way when they receive notification from their insurance carrier that their home insurance policy will not be renewed.

Although you are paying for the protection from financial loss with the purchase of a home insurance policy, you need to keep in mind that for each claim a policy holder files, there are expenses that must be paid by the insurance company to process it.

When a policyholder begins to cost the insurer additional expenses to process small claims under a certain amount, terminating the policy is seen as a cost-effective way for the insurance company to remain solvent. It is a good idea to carry a deductible that provides enough money to take care of small repairs to avoid filing claims that may put your home insurance policy at risk for cancellation.

The type of claims that an insurer appreciates is when someone has become injured on your property or if a natural disaster destroys your home. You should be familiar with the insurance procedures when you need to file a home insurance claim. Homeowners should be prepared to:

File police crime report: When a robbery occurs in your home or it has been vandalized, you should report the crime to the police. Be sure to get a copy of the police report along with the names of all the police officers who interviewed you.

Notify your insurance company or agent immediately: Be sure of the deductible you carry and the time you are allowed by your home insurance company to file a claim. The time limit should be stated in your home insurance policy, but it is a good idea to verify this information. When you notify your insurance company that you need to file a claim they are required to send you the necessary claim forms within a certain period of time and these forms must be returned to the company promptly to avoid delays. Keep all of your receipts if you must relocate.

List all of your possessions that have been lost or damaged: Your insurance adjuster will need you to provide proof for your claim, prepare an inventory, take photographs or videotape the damage and keep all of the items that were damaged for the adjuster to see.