How to Make Home Insurance Claims After a Fire, Tornado or Hurricane

If your home or property has recently been damaged by a fire, flood, storm, hurricane or tornado, you will need to make a home insurance claim in order to get the insurance quotes available to fix your home or property and get back on your feet. Here is some insurance claim advice that will ensure you get the money you will need to repair your home or property.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Contact the Agent
   Contact your insurance agent and let them know the circumstances of the problem that caused you to have to file an insurance claim. Did you have a fire, flood or storm damage? You may need to file a home insurance claim. Either way the insurance claim adjuster will need to know. They need to know. You will also want to send a letter to the insurer certified mail so and keep a copy for your records.

2. Document the Damage
   Video tape or take pictures of the damage that has been done to your property by the fire, flood or storm. Do not get rid of any damaged property or attempt any repairs until you have heard back from your insurance agent. If your auto was damaged, you will need to file an auto insurance claim.

3. Estimate the Cost
   In order to make a claim, estimate the cost of repairs if possible. You might do this by using receipts (if you still have them) or go online to find an average costs for items you have lost. Keep track of all spending you are doing due to the storm, flood or fire damage that you have suffered as well. If you have to stay in a hotel, or eat out write down the costs. These costs may be recoverable.

4. Determine the Value
   At some point insurance claim adjusters will determine the value of the damaged property that was caused by whatever disaster you suffered. If you feel they are incorrect in their assessment, be sure to make your feelings known. You have the right to dispute the insurance adjusters settlement offer. Get insurance quotes from another claims agent if necessary.

5. FEMA
   Call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or visit their website to get ideas on what else you might do to ensure you get the best settlement for your fire, flood or storm damage disaster. You might be able to apply to FEMA for additional disaster funds and insurance claims services as well. To make an insurance claim requires some work on the part of the homeowner. If you have good home insurance, it should not be too difficult to recover losses from your insurance company if you take the right steps.

Tips & Warnings

• Call the Consumer Help Line for homeowners insurance questions.
• Consumer Help Line: 800-342-2762

Resources

• FEMA

[cclofmead]

on 5/10/2009 Great tips for making an insurance claim !! 5*