You’ve suffered through home damage or loss. You know you should have learned how to file a home insurance claim before now. But you need to know what questions you need to ask and what you need to do next.

There are around four questions you need to ask yourself before you file a claim. The first question is the damage greater than your home insurance deductible? Then you want to find out if the damage incurred is a covered peril?

You want to ask if the damage occurred despite adequate and ongoing maintenance. The last question may or may not have any damage assessment weight and value, but insurance companies still pay attention to it. That question is have you filed a home insurance claim in the past ten years for any reason?

This includes natural disasters, thefts and everything in-between. The information provided below provides you with specifics on how to file a home insurance claim and what the home insurance claim process is.

Home Insurance

There are things covered and not covered by home insurance. So you want to make sure you understand the standard protections you get with your homeowner’s insurance. The definition of home insurance is providing you with financial protection in the event of a disaster or accident involving your home.

What is the Standard Homeowner’s Insurance Protection?

It’s important to understand your coverage under your homeowner’s insurance before you learn how to file a home insurance claim. There are times, where you might want to save yourself the trouble because whatever happened isn’t covered under your home insurance policy.

Standard home insurance insures your home’s structure and your belongings in the home in the event of a destructive event. The destructive event can be a fire, explosion, etc. Home insurance can also protect you or your family if your held liable for any injuries or damage to possessions other people suffer while on your property.

There are events that cause damage or loss to your property that’s not covered by standard home insurance policies. Home insurance policies usually cover disasters, but they do have a list of exceptions you need to understand. Floods and earthquakes are outside the coverage of your standard homeowner’s insurance.

Earthquakes and Flood Insurance

You need to purchase earthquake and flood insurance in separate policies for your home. Also, if poor home maintenance caused your house to burn down, home insurance companies can try to maintain the fire or other damage was due to your poor maintenance. Therefore the insurance company may not pay your claim.

How to File a Home Insurance Claim

Now that you understand what an insurance claim is and the specifics of standard homeowner’s policies, it’s time to find out how to file a home insurance claim. There are some steps you want to follow to make the filing of your home insurance claim as smooth as possible.

1. You want to call your insurance company’s 24-hour call center. You can also call your agent if that feels more comfortable to you. But don’t wait more than 24 hours to start your claim.
2. You’ll meet with an adjuster. Your insurance company has a claims department, and the claim department will assign an adjuster to you. In Florida, you have the right to hire a public adjuster.
   • A public adjuster is a licensed professional adjustor hired by policyholders.
   • You can find out more about how public adjusters received 574% more money than those who filed claims without using public adjusters.

Public or Private Adjusters

The adjustor (public or through your insurance company) will be the one coming to assess your home’s damage. Take as many pictures as possible. Don’t clear away any damage unless it is dangerous to keep it there and protect what’s left.

The adjuster knows you will need to find a place to live while your home is being repaired if the damage prevents you from living in your home safely. Your adjuster will help you find a place to live at no cost to you. They will also:

1. Inform you to submit a list of your damaged items with the value of the item. You need to have the damage and values in writing to get a better idea of how much is really involved. Don’t forget anything when you’re writing your list because if your lost item is not on the list, you won’t receive anything for it.
2. Getting an estimate for the total cost of both repair and replacement means you are closer to getting the costs covered so your life can go back to normal. The adjuster will help you get the estimates and can even meet with you and a couple of contractors who offer to work on your home. You always need a formal estimate outlining how the money will be used for the repair and replacement based on your policy criteria.

You will now have to sign the proof of loss. You may want to know more about what is a proof of loss.

Proof of Loss

The proof of loss lets you know an outline of the costs that will be paid to you. It is your signature on the document that allows the final release of the insurance claims payment. It also gives the insurance company confirmation you’ve agreed to their settlement amount.

You’ll receive your check shortly after that. Then you can start repairs and purchase replacements. The only thing left to do is move back in when all the work is completed, and all your purchases have been made.

Florida and the Need for Home Insurance

If you live in the beautiful state of Florida, you know there are many storms, tropical depressions, hurricanes, and other accidental events that homes endure. When you’re a newbie to the insurance claim process, you shouldn’t feel intimidated by it. You now know how to file a home insurance claim.

But you don’t have to go it alone. There are professional adjusters waiting to assist you one form at a time. Ocean Point Claims Company is worth reaching out to because their adjusters hold your insurance company to the state mandates and guidelines.

Ocean Point adjustors walk the walk and talk the talk of insurance because they know their language. They can get it to work for you!