A Step by Step Guide to the Homeowners Insurance Claims Process
Written by Kristina Lee   

If a fire ravages your house, or a burglar manages to get away with all of your valuables while smashing windows and doors, don't panic. This is why you bought Homeowners insurance in the first place. Take a deep breath, and follow a few easy steps to file a Homeowners insurance claim.

Step 1: Immediately notify your insurance company of the home insurance claim. Inform them of the accident or injury claim that you will be filing so that they can send you the proper forms. Speak with your Insurance Agent of the next step to take for your claim. Appropriate steps differ by case and company. While some cases require an agent to visit the site and assess the damage personally, others may give the green light to start repairs. Review your Homeowners insurance policy agreement to determine what is and is not covered.

Step 2: Document everything. Take a few moments to write down everything that happened so that you have all of your thoughts in order, and have all of the details of the events that transpired on paper. Assess your property and its damages. If possible, take pictures or a video recording of all damaged / destroyed property, to keep as proof for your claim.

Step 3: Inventory all property that has been damaged, destroyed, or stolen. While you should have one tucked away in a safe place already, you should still update it, or start one if you do not. File a police report if it was a burglary, vandalism, or injury claim. This adds credibility to the claim.

Step 4: If your insurance company gives you the ok, start making minor repairs yourself, such as covering a broken window. Take preventative measures to secure your home and prevent additional damage from occurring. Keep detailed records of expenses incurred to repair / replace your damaged home, and keep all receipts and invoices as proof of expense so that you can be properly reimbursed.

Step 5: Keep in touch with your insurance company. If the damage was due to a large scale natural disaster, be patient as your claim may not be as pressing as others, or may simply take a while to process.

Remember, be patient, and Good Luck!
Last Updated on Sunday, 26 December 2010 19:53