How to file an insurance claim

Those who have an insurance policy may feel at ease knowing that there is financial protection in case of emergency. However, the process of filing a claim after a natural disaster or other event that causes damage may be confusing to policyholders. The first step in the process is to review the policy itself to get a better idea of what it covers and what it doesn’t. It may be possible to do so with an insurance agent or legal counsel.

It is a good idea to gather as much evidence for a claim as possible. This generally means taking pictures of the damage and taking statements from anyone who might have seen how the damage occurred. Doing so can help the insurance company determine if the damage is covered and how much a person may be entitled to receive.

By filing a claim in a timely manner, an individual may be able to accurately represent to an insurance adjuster what happened to cause the damage. Policyholders should keep copies of any paperwork that they receive from an insurance company or other important source. This can be important to determining the validity of a claim and whether damage is covered under a policy.

Making fire and arson insurance claims might help a policyholder obtain compensation for damage done to a home or other building. This may make it easier to rebuild a home or replace property lost in the fire. If a claim is denied, an attorney may be able to help an individual learn more about why this happened. Legal counsel might also take steps to appeal the decision and potentially get it overturned either in court or as the result of settlement talks.