Filing A Homeowners Claim

By Author: Marcus Stalder
Total Articles: 491
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Unfortunately, no one has devised a way of preventing you from being struck by lightning or some other catastrophe. You can shade the odds by picking a place to live with very predictable weather, buying a home built on well-drained ground and having a full structural survey before you buy. But the term "Act of God" can apply to you no matter where you pick. And then, of course, there are the liability risks you forgot to think about. You may have a fortress against everything nature can throw at you but, when the electrician comes to do some rewiring, who would have thought he would slip and fall on your polished wood flooring. So you pull out the policy you thought you would never need and read it properly for the first time. Just to remind you, a policy is supposed to be a simple contract between you and the insurer. In return for you remembering to pay the premium installments on time, the insurer faithfully promises to look favorably on any claim you make for losses sustained. Except, when you do read the policy, you discover there are a whole list of possible exceptions and limitations that may apply to your claim. Worse, ...
... you can't just pick up the phone, ask for cash and expect FedEx to deliver a check the next morning. There are procedures to follow. So here's a list of the basics.

1. Give your insurer immediate notice there's a claim on the way. This can be by phone but it's always better to confirm everything said in writing. E-mails will be the quickest and easiest way of telling the company or its agent. Never forget, there are always time limits on your right to claim. This is not just about whether you are covered. You can lose your rights if the claims forms are not submitted within the limits.

2. If you are the victim of a crime, always make a report to the police. It doesn't matter whether this is simple act of vandalism or a serious burglary, contact the police. Again, keep proper records of who you speak to, what is said and, if you are given file reference numbers, pass them on to the insurers as proof of the facts supporting your claim.

3. No matter what the cause, do whatever you can to make your home secure and prevent any further damage to your contents. If necessary, get a contractor in for emergency repairs. Keep invoices and receipts for all the work you have done, recording everything before and after in photographs or video. As long as what you do is reasonable, the insurer will reimburse whatever you spend to keep your losses as low as possible.

4. Then get the claim forms and make an appointment for the claims adjuster to call. If you have to relocate, keep a running record of all your costs.

Dealing with home insurance claims is just a matter of following all the instructions given by the insurers. If you give them no procedural reason to object to payment, the courts will be more sympathetic should a dispute arise. And, yes, home insurance claims can end up in the courts where the insurers try to avoid paying. Always get legal advice and dig in for a fight.