Tips for Settling a Home Insurance Claim

Report Crime to the Police

Prepare a List of Losses

A single incident can trigger multiple individual losses. For example, a burglar who breaks into your house can damage your windows, steal your jewelry, and steal your expensive entertainment unit. A freak storm can damage your roof (for which you would need to get in touch with contractors for re roofing Brisbane or anywhere similar), windows, doors, and even house contents.

If any of these incidents occur, you might have to find Denver replacement windows (or similar options elsewhere) or have a professional come in and fix your gutters and roofing, and pay for it from your own pocket. Make a list of all these losses so that you don’t forget some in your claim. Don’t forget about incidental damages, such as additional costs of living (ALE) you might incur if you have to move out of the house for repairs.

Contact Your Agent

Contact your agent or insurance carrier to confirm the claim requirements. Do this as soon as possible before the evidence goes stale. Prompt action will also get your claim on top of the pile, which is useful for a fast claim if your area has suffered widespread losses. Through the initial contact, you should know:

• The required documents
• The contact person
• The deadline to file the claim
• The claim deadline, such as how long the process might take

The insurance carrier will send an adjuster to confirm and inspect the damages in most cases.

Mitigate the Damages

Take measures to limit the losses as much as you can. If possible, you should limit the damages to those that the initial incident caused. Your insurance company expects as much from you. For example, in case of storm damage, you should:

• Board up the windows to prevent water intrusion into the house
• Clean and dry your house’s contents to prevent water damage
• Cover leaking parts of the roof with a tarp to prevent water damage

Keep receipts of the repairs and replacements required for your house. For example, if you are replacing your windows or doors due to the damage caused to them, then consider keeping a copy of the receipts. The insurance company should reimburse you for the costs as long as they originate from a covered risk.

Preserve Evidence

You will need evidence for your damages and their value. Different forms of evidence may be acceptable. For example, you should gather:

• Pictures of the damage
• Receipts for the lost or damaged items
• Receipts for the temporary repairs
• Valuation reports for valuables
• Receipts for additional living expenses
• Certificates of authenticity for lost valuables



The adjuster may also instruct you on the evidence they need for your claim.

Stay Reachable