William H. Talley & Son Inc. Blog
Tips On How to File a Claim with your Virginia Home Insurance
As a homeowner, you understand how important it is to have reliable Virginia home insurance. From harsh weather conditions to an injury on your property…something is bound to happen at some point. However, when something does happen, are you aware of the steps to take?
Here are a few tips from the experts:
#1: Contact your agent immediately. Don’t wait to contact your insurance agent. It is best to call as soon as possible in order to get this process moving.
#2: Fill out a claim form. Once you speak with your agent, he or she will send you a form to file a claim. DO NOT wait to do this- it is important! The faster you send back your claim, the faster you can take care of the issue.
#3: Make plans to have an adjuster come over. It’s crucial for an adjuster to come and check out the damages. Yes, we understand you have work, but this is very important. Make sure someone is home for the adjuster to do his or her job.
#4: Don’t try to repair the damages. You can temporarily fix the damages, but if you do a good job, you may not get as much money as you hoped to fix it.
#5: Document important items. Be sure to keep receipts for any large purchases or important items. These will come in handy when something goes wrong.
#6: Don’t settle. If you are not satisfied with the amount that a contractor says it will cost in order to repair damage, do not settle. Get estimates from other sources to get a better idea of the cost you are looking at.
You will feel much better knowing that you are prepared to file an insurance claim when the time comes. If you do not know what you are doing, you could be taken advantage of. It also helps to have a reliable Virginia home insurance policy. A typical policy will cover the structure of your home, replacement costs, liability, personal possessions and additional living expenses. Need something more? You can always add additional policies to supplement your Virginia home insurance, such as flood insurance or even animal liability. You will feel much better knowing your home is properly covered!
