Homeowners Claims Guide

Standard homeowners property insurance policies will pay for a covered loss.  Costlow Insurance offers various homeowners insurance tips. We encourage you to read and understand your policy before filing a claim.  Call you insurance agent to review this process.

Did you know standard homeowners insurance policies also include coverage for additional living expenses? This pays the additional costs of temporarily living away from your home if it is uninhabitable due to an insured loss.

IN THE EVENT OF A COVERED LOSS IT IS SUGGESTED YOU:

1. Report any burglary or theft to the police and get a copy of the police report, as well as the officer’s name and contact information.

2. Notify your insurance agent, find out if you’re covered for the loss, ask questions to make sure you understand the claims process, be prepared to give your agent or insurance company a description of the covered loss, once the loss is recorded a qualified adjuster will contact you quickly to inspect the loss.

3. If you have to evacuate, make sure to give your agent a telephone number where you can be reached.

4. In the event of loss document your loss; prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged, stolen, lost or destroyed personal property, make your list as complete as possible, include: description of items, dates of purchase or approximate age, cost at time of purchase and estimated replacement cost, provide canceled checks, invoices, receipts or other papers that will prove value to the adjuster.

5. If able to access your property, make temporary repairs to prevent further destruction, save receipts for supplies and materials, insurance companies reimburse you for reasonable expenses in making temporary repairs.

6. Secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs to your home from a reliable contractor and give it to the adjuster, the estimate should contain the proposed repairs, repair costs and replacement prices.

7. If you have to find other accommodations while your home is being rebuilt save the receipts.

8. Fill out all claim forms correctly and promptly, insurance companies place time limits on filing claims.

9. Keep good records, make copies of claim forms and receipts, get the name and phone number of insurance company personnel and anyone else you may have dealt with regarding your loss.

10. Those with flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) should contact the insurance agent or company representative who sold that policy in order to file a claim.

In case of catastrophe serious claims will be given priority. So be patient under those circumstances if your loss is manageable until help can arrive.

Texas has laws governing the claims process and you have rights and obligations under those laws. Be sure and review this with your agent.