Like other homeowners’ insurance claims, filing a claim for fire damage or destruction can be complicated. Homeowners must take extra care to document all injuries, including damage done to personal belongings and the structure or interior of the home. Insurance companies will need photos or videos of the damage, a written description of the damage, the date of loss, the type of loss, the home’s general condition, the location, any injuries, and the police report, if applicable.
The insurance company will also ask if any temporary repairs were needed to secure the property, like boarding up a broken window. If quick maintenance must be made, keep all receipts and document the actual damage. Policies differ on whether or not they cover temporary care.
In general, homeowners should not throw out any damaged property until an insurance adjuster has been to the home to assess the damage and draft their report. Adjustors need to see the harm in as much of its original state as possible to process the claim efficiently and accurately.
Lastly, homeowners should keep all correspondence between them and their insurance companies if there is a dispute later in the claims process. Homeowners should also keep any bills and receipts associated with the damage.
Homeowners whose property has been damaged or destroyed will look to their insurance for relief — with varying degrees of success. Here are ten tips to keep in mind as you interact with your insurance company and its adjusters.
