Every homeowner dreads the thought of having to face a disaster that destroys their home or properties. If you have never filed a home insurance claim before, you shouldn’t rest easy. You’re more likely to file one during your lifetime, so understanding the claim process is crucial. East Bridgewater Insurance Agency suggests the following tips to help you go through the claim process in Massachusetts.
Understand your Policy
You should first understand your coverage limits and deductibles. This is critical when filing a home insurance claim. For example, if a flood damages your home and your policy excluded such risks, your claim will be rightly denied. Your deductibles will also affect how much cash you’ll pay out of pocket for the repair or rebuilding of your home. This can help you determine which repairs are urgent and which ones can wait for a later date.
Home Inventory
Start a home inventory, which is a comprehensive report that includes detailed descriptions (including the purchase date, cost, model, and serial number) and photos of the personal property in and around your home. While considered a key component in documenting insurance claims, a home inventory is also valuable for estate and financial planning.
Document your Damages
Whenever a covered loss occurs, document all the damages before you begin the cleaning or repair process. Take several pictures of the damages caused to your home or property, furniture, electronic devices, clothing, and so on. If you’re forced to make a few repairs before filing your home insurance claim, be sure to keep all the receipts. After filing the claim, the insurer will send an adjuster to assess the situation and provide an estimate of the damage. This can be difficult to achieve after cleaning the home and carrying out repairs, so the photos and the documentation of the receipts will be of great help.
Understand your Rights to Dispute Estimates
Sometimes you may not agree with the insurer’s estimates. You have rights under your home insurance policy to dispute or appeal the procedure. One way to achieve that is by submitting a second estimate through a public adjuster that you can hire. A public adjuster works exclusively for you, unlike an insurer’s adjuster who works for the interest of the insurance provider. Additionally, the public adjuster will work with you through the entire claim process to ensure that you receive your full entitlement under your home insurance policy.
East Bridgewater Insurance Agency is an experienced provider of affordable home insurance policies in Massachusetts. If you have further inquiries about filing home insurance claims, call us today. But if you need a quote, use our online rating tool or stop by our East Bridgewater, MA office.