If you have a mortgage, there’s a decent chance that you are required to pay for homeowners’ insurance as well. However, homebuyers may opt for homeowners’ insurance regardless of how they purchased their home. Property damage of any severity can occur at any time, and it’s worth having the peace of mind that your home is protected. In the event that your home or belongings are damaged, check out our steps for understanding the homeowners’ claim process.
Contact Your Insurance Professional as Soon as Possible
Once property damage occurs, be sure to call, email or text your insurance agent as soon as possible to report a loss. Your agent should be able to tell you if you’re covered, when you need to file a claim and when you need to obtain an estimate for any repairs you may need. If you suspect that your property damage is due to criminal activity, be sure to contact the police and file a police report right away. Record the name of each officer you speak with just in case they can provide valuable details to your insurer later.
Fill Out Claim Forms
When you are ready to officially make the claim, you should fill out any claim forms your agent gives you in a timely manner to avoid any delays. Around this time, you can also make a list of all damaged items and gather their receipts if possible.
Insurance Adjuster Inspection
An insurance adjuster will likely be sent by your insurance company to survey the damage of your home. At this point, you should be prepared to show them all of the property damage as well as your list of damaged items. With this knowledge, they will be able to determine the amount of funds to allocate toward repairs. Of course, feel free to ask plenty of questions throughout this process.
Reimbursement and Repair
After the inspection is completed, the search for a contractor and property repair will begin. There are a few different ways insurance companies disperse payment. Some will provide an on-the-spot settlement and offer additional funds if more damage is discovered later on. Some will provide multiple checks categorized by the type of damage. It’s also common for insurance companies to directly pay the contractor who repairs the damage.
Still need some help filing your claim? Head over to our webpage, dedicated to pointing you in the best direction.
Simplify Your Homeowners Claim Process with Freedom Insurance
We offer comprehensive, customized coverage from numerous major insurance carriers and make it easier than ever to find affordable policies that are exactly what you need. We have been serving clients throughout the greater Howard County and Carroll County areas since 1979, and we look forward to helping you and your family thrive. Get in touch today by calling (410) 795-2000 or requesting a free quote.
