If you have never had to file a claim through your Tampa homeowners insurance, consider yourself one of the lucky few! Filing a home insurance claim can be time-consuming and tedious, and requires a lot of attention to detail. But the more thorough you are, the faster you’re likely to get a settlement, ensuring that repairs are done promptly and professionally, that damaged or destroyed items are replaced, and that life begins to return to normal as soon as possible. Also, filing a Tampa homeowners insurance claim will help maintain and even enhance the value of your home, and could even result in less maintenance and repair in the long run by replacing older items. HH Insurance is here to guide you through the steps of filing an insurance claim to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible for you and your family.
- File a police report if necessary – Not all homeowners insurance claims must be reported to local authorities. But if criminal activity is involved, such as vandalism or a break-in, or if there’s a fire, you need to get the authorities involved as soon as possible. Make sure to write down the names of any police department personnel you speak with or who come to inspect your property. Share all pertinent details of the event with authorities, and keep copies of their reports. You will need those when you file your claim.
- Notify your insurance company – Your next call should be to your Tampa homeowners insurance company or insurance agent. Most homeowners policies require that the insurance company be notified promptly after any damage, theft, or injury that’s likely to result in a claim, so the sooner you do, the sooner the recovery process can begin. HH Insurance conveniently allows you to make a claim online.
- Make any urgent repairs – Next, make any reasonable emergency repairs needed that can prevent further damage, without endangering yourself of course. Make sure to keep copies of any receipts for reimbursement and take detailed photos of the damage before doing any work.
- Document the claim – Document all damage, stolen items, and anything else that will form the basis of the claim. Take lots of photos or a video detailing the damage, and compile a list of damaged, stolen, or destroyed possessions, along with their approximate value. HH Insurance will schedule an appointment for an appraiser to interview you and assess the damage to determine how much compensation you can expect. Make sure to accompany the appraiser during the inspection and point out any structural damage or areas of concern.
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Depending on the complexity of your claim and how well you do your homework, it can take a few days to several months to file a Tampa homeowners insurance claim. Your insurance policy will include information on how much time you’re allowed to file a claim, and most states have regulations and time limits for both you and your insurer to keep the process moving. The key is to make sure to provide all the documentation required on time, along with photos and an itemized list of lost items with an estimated value. The more detail, the better. Contact HH Insurance today to learn more about the Tampa homeowners insurance option that we offer!
**This blog provides a brief overview of the terms and phrases used within the insurance industry. These definitions are not applicable in all states or for all insurance and financial products. This is not an insurance contract. Other terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read your official policy for full details about coverage. These definitions do not alter or modify the terms of any insurance contract.