Monday, July 23, 2012

4 Ways to Make Claims Easier

homeNo one wants to be in a position that necessitates an insurance claim. Not only is it frustrating to deal with the loss of your property after an insurable incident, but filing an insurance claim can also be a daunting task if you aren't prepared. By following these four tips you can make your insurance claims process much easier.

1.     Take pictures. By having before pictures of the assets you have covered by insurance you clearly communicate the condition of the items you owned which allows the insurance company an easier time interpreting their value. But it's also important to have pictures taken of the damage as well. By showing the amount of damage done you can help the claims adjuster determine if you suffered a total loss and in some circumstances, such as after an auto accident, your pictures can illustrate fault.

2.     Know what you lost. It's important to have a pre-incident inventory of your home, RV, office and vehicle so that, in the event you suffer an insurable incident and must make a claim, you know exactly what you lost. Without an inventory you may find that you forget to list certain items and your claim is insufficient to replace them.

3.     Call early. In the event that the insurable incident had a widespread effect on homes in your area make sure that you call your Houston home insurance company as soon as possible. Claims processing may be sorted based on severity, but within your level of severity it will likely be first come, first serve. Even after an individual incident such as a house fire, calling early is important to ensure timely payment.

4.     Have your documents together. Keep your insurance policy, property receipts, pictures, inventory, and all other relevant documents together. Make sure that the insurance company’s phone number and your insurance agent’s phone number are with your other documents. 

Having an experienced insurance agency at your service is one of the most useful tools to have both before and after your claim is paid. We can help you design an insurance portfolio that fully protects your assets and your family and we can help you fine-tune your claims process. Give us a call at 713-227-7283 and schedule your appointment today.