How to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim

Tree Fallen On House

Homeowners insurance claims stem from incidents you hope will never happen to your home. A storm may cause damage to your windows, or someone breaks into the house while you’re on vacation. In almost any case where your property is damaged, you should file a homeowners insurance claim. But how do you go about doing that, and what can you expect from the claim experience? Follow these steps after the incident occurs to file your claim on time.

When to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim

Before you contact your insurance company, you should always call the police if the claim involves a criminal matter, such as a burglary or vandalism. Once you have reached the authorities, your next move should be reporting the incident to your insurer. You will need your policy number and an exact description of the damage. Tell them what happened, and remember to ask questions of your own to help you navigate the process, such as:

  • Is this incident included under my coverage?
  • How long do I have to file my claim?
  • Would my claim be higher than my deductible?
  • How long will processing my claim take?

Filing a homeowners claim ensures you have the money to repair your home and keep it safe. This peace of mind and practical assistance are two of the reasons it pays to have insurance.

Outside view of a home in the Harrisburg area

It finally happened: damage to your property. After you assess the problem, you immediately think of your homeowners’ insurance policy. Should you file a claim right away? Wait until you get a quote to rectify the damage? Is there a home insurance claim time limit, or do you have some leeway? And should you really file at all?

Many homeowners worry they’ll make the wrong move when it comes to filing homeowners’ insurance claims. Keep the following homeowners’ insurance claim tips in mind if you find yourself in this situation.

Read Your Homeowners’ Insurance Policy Before Claiming Anything

A good starting point is always to read your homeowners’ insurance policy to figure out what’s covered and what isn’t. If you try to make a claim for something that isn’t covered, you’ll waste your time as well as the time of the insurance carrier. As you can imagine, that type of activity is frowned upon and could cost you later.

Forget Filing If the Repair Is Lower Than or Close to Your Deductible

Let’s say your homeowners’ insurance deductible is $5,000 and the estimate to repair your damage is $5,100. You probably wouldn’t want to file, just to get that $100. Carriers like to see very few claims from homeowners, and you risk having your premiums increased due to this claim.

Is a $100 reimbursement really worth it? Probably not. If you’re not sure about your deductible, check your current policy or call your independent insurance agent.

Consider How Often You Have Made Claims

Insurance carriers have been known to drop homeowners who make too many claims. Yes, you may simply be unlucky: you had a small fire five years ago, a tree fell on your roof three years ago and last month you experienced theft of some property. If you claim for the theft, your carrier may deem you an unwise risk and cancel you after paying the claim. At that point, other insurance carriers may also see you as too risky a gamble. They will either deny you coverage or charge you much more.

This is a reality of insurance, so be aware before you send in a claim if you have more than one or two in the past 10 years.

Ask Yourself If the Repair Is Really Major

Many repairs are minor in nature. Do you really want to use your homeowners’ insurance for those types of repairs? You may be getting a little money now, but is it worth a potential increase in your policy rates? Although your insurance agent will always try to get you the best rates for your coverage, your rates will go up with every claim.

Be Realistic About the Damage: Was It Your Fault?

Some damage may have been due to your own neglect. Be honest with yourself. Did a tree fall on your garage because you put off trimming it or having it removed? If an insurance carrier finds out that your lack of maintenance contributed to the problems, you could be denied reimbursement. Plus, you will have used up a valuable claim.

Yes, you should make claims — but only when the situation warrants a claim. Consider all the aspects of filing and you’ll make more educated decisions when it comes to using your homeowners’ insurance.

The Homeowners Insurance Claim Process

After you have contacted your insurance company, they will send you paperwork to fill out. You must turn it in as soon as possible to proceed with your claim. There is often a limit on how long you can have the paperwork before filing a claim.

Next, an insurance adjuster will visit your home to assess the damage. They will talk to you about the circumstances and examine your home. You should have a list for them of everything that has been damaged, including receipts for anything you have lost — if you have them. If this includes jewelry, make sure you understand how jewelry insurance claims work, as these could differ, depending on your specific policy. Generally, the adjuster will calculate an estimate for how much repairs will cost. Discuss any need to move temporarily while repairs are in progress and how you should track those expenses.

You will receive a payment for the estimated damage, at which point you can schedule the repairs. Do not go ahead with anything until you have received this and the insurance company’s approval.

Should I File a Homeowners Insurance Claim?

You should always report an incident of property damage to your home to your insurance company. However, you may not always want to file the claim, such as when your deductible is higher than your loss.

Unsure whether you should make a claim on damage to your home? Contact Strock Insurance to receive a helping hand. We have guided homeowners in the Harrisburg, Lebanon and surrounding areas through many claims over the years, and we want to help you understand the process. Give us a call, request a quote on homeowners insurance, or contact us using our online form.