Quick Tips for Easy Claims on your Home Insurance

Buying home insurance is something that most of us happily avoid unless something unfortunate happens and we have to pay a hefty amount out of the pocket. Home insurance may not give out maturity benefits as life insurance does, but it secures one of your biggest assets - your home!

Now let’s consider you have insurance coverage on your home and a flood strikes your home or a thief breaks in! Although you are liable to file for a claim even for a minor mishap like smashed window glass, the question is how do you go about actually making a claim on your house insurance?

Here are the tips which you must follow:

Tip #1 - Contact your Insurer

Keep your home insurance number handy. Call your insurer and explain the situation. Try not exaggerating the matter as it will only worsen the situation and might even result in claim rejection! However, if there has been a theft at your house, the police are whom you call first, and then the insurer. At the same time, it is ideal to inform the insurer on the very same day.

Tip #2 - Don’t Play with Evidence

If your house has suffered damage due to a flood, fire, etc. do not start cleaning up instantly, you will spoil the evidence. Do not throw any damaged items as the insurer can ask for it. Click photos and keep them handy when the surveyor sent by your insurance company comes; the more evidence you show the smoother the claim process will be.

Tip #3 - File a Claim as Soon as You Can

For making a claim, you will need to fill out the claim form which you can either download or get from the insurer. Fill the form and submit it as soon as you can with the required documents. Also, attach the purchase receipts of the items you are claiming. If you cannot find the receipts, look for other proofs like credit or debit card statements which reflect the purchase of the said items.

Tip #4 - Be Honest with the Insurance Surveyor

Upon filing a claim, the insurer will send a surveyor to your house to investigate the loss or damage. Be honest with him and show him all structural damage or loss. Provide the surveyor with your complete home inventory, show him photos of your possessions that are damaged or lost, and also the bills of purchase.

The surveyor will review the loss or damage and match it with your claim form. If you have made an honest claim, things will work out smoothly.

Tip #5 - Keep in Touch with your Insurer

After you’ve done with the claim filing process, do not hang up your boots! You need to follow up with your insurer to expedite your claim process. Do your homework properly, and keep copies of all the documents that you’ve provided to your insurer. Having everything documented helps in making the claim process quick and hassle-free.

**To understand exactly about the policy coverage, exclusions, etc. read the Policy Wordings carefully.**