How Do You Know When There's Sense In Making A Home Insurance Claim?

By Jose Hamilton


No homeowner's nightmare can be worse than being welcomed by the sight of a caved-in roof thanks to an errant tree branch. Or anything that fits within the setting of a burglary, albeit with the actors being long gone. Either way, it's in times of disaster that you appreciate the fact that you were wise enough to take home insurance Houston Tx seriously.

Like any insurance, personal property coverage is meant to protect you from suffering a financial loss. Here's the thing though: the fact that something has gone wrong doesn't always mean you should seek compensation. With that in mind, it's worth taking a look at the factors that will help you determine whether or not to file a claim:

Evaluate: After the initial shock now comes the need to understand the extent of damage you've suffered. As long as it won't expose you to potential hazards, a simple visual assessment of the scene will do. If necessary, contact the police and notify them of your situation.

Document Everything: Taking photos documenting the damage will give you the evidence you will need in the event you launch a claim. Ever scolded yourself for splurging on a pricey smartphone? Scold no more-- it's in such instances that its high end camera comes in handy. Alternatively, seek help from a neighbor or colleague if your phone lacks the said feature.

Review Your Coverage: It's standard practice for insurance companies to clearly outline the instances that are covered under a particular policy. In addition, coverage comes in levels ranging from basic to comprehensive. Combine these two factors, and what emerges is the obvious need for you to review your contract so you know what is and what isn't included.

Be Mindful of Liability: It's commonplace for cases involving an injured party to mature into expensive lawsuits. As such, it's recommended to file a claim when someone sustains injury on your property. Your insurer will also want to be notified as soon as possible.

Consider Past Claims: Insurers use your claims history as a shorthand way of assessing how well you manage the risks of home ownership. If you've made more than 2 claims within the last five years, taking this route once again could see you get tagged as a high-risk case. As a result, you'll have a hard time shopping for coverage in future.

Consider the Cost: Based on your assessment, calculate how much it will cost to address the damage. Weighing this amount against that of your deductible will help you determine if it makes sense to pursue a claim. To elaborate, the latter would only be worthwhile if the potential return exceeds what you'd have to pay out.

Personal property insurance is meant to look after your interests when a disaster comes along. As such, it's no rocket science that you'll want to refrain from filing frivolous claims, plus anything else that would damage your credibility. Remember that your actions determine not only your chances for qualifying for coverage, but also your exposure to potential disasters.




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