The Dos & Don’ts of Filing a Home Insurance Claim
Before filing a home insurance claim there are some things you should consider in order to make everything as smooth as silk.
No one likes their home to be damaged; you could be the cleanest and most organized person in the world, but you still can’t completely drop the probability of an accident to zero. Damages to your home can be traumatic and costly, and can even disrupt your entire life if the event is horrifying enough. It’s nice to know that your home insurance will be able to step in and help cover the expenses and repairs. Before you file your home insurance claim, here are the “dos” and “don’ts” that could save you a nightmare process.
- DO call your insurance agent or carrier immediately.
Of course, you’ll want to make sure that your family is safe before you call and do what you can to safely and reasonably minimize more damage. But, when all is said and done, always call your insurance company to report the damage as soon as possible. - DON’T assign your benefits to a contractor.
Contractors may ask you to sign a contract which gives them full authority over the claims process, including ownership of any payments from your carrier. Disreputable contractors may collect the payment without finishing the job. - DO take pictures.
Take pictures of the aftermath, but you also don’t want to expose yourself to harm. If it’s safe to do so, take several pictures of the damage and the root cause.
A quality home insurance policy covers your home against fire, storm, smoke, theft, vandalism, and a number of other damages. But a home insurance policy is only good if you know how to use it to serve you, not the other way around. Call Remland Insurance today for additional safety information or to update your California home insurance policy in Orange County and surrounding areas – 714.532.3341
