Arizona Home Insurance Claims

If you own a home in Arizona, you likely have homeowner's insurance. This type of policy protects both your house and your belongings in case of a disaster that requires repairs or replacements. Hopefully you never have to use this coverage, but it is helpful to know what to do if you have to file a home insurance claim. Consider the steps to take when disaster strikes on your Arizona property.

When to File a Claim?

The first detail to consider is whether you should file a claim. If the damage is minor, you should get some estimates from a contractor so you can find out how much it will cost to fix the issue. Compare the price quotes to your deductible, which you will have to pay before the repairs are completed. If it is cheaper to fix the problems on your own, then making an Arizona homeowner insurance claim may not be the best idea, as you can save money by not filing. This is especially common for those with high deductibles. You should also note that your premium may increase after you make several home insurance claims within a few years, so make sure you really need help from your insurance provider before filing a claim.

Take Inventory and Be Patient

If you decide to make an Arizona homeowner insurance claim, you need to call the provider to describe the damage to a representative. You will then schedule a day for a claims adjuster to come look at the damage to your property. While waiting for him or her to arrive, make a list of the items that need to be repaired or replaced. Try to find receipts, or at least write down an estimate of what you paid for your belongings. You should also consider taking pictures or making a video of the damage. This may help your claim get resolved faster since the more evidence of destruction that your adjuster has, the better. In addition, offer your adjuster the list of price quotes from nearby contractors so he or she has an idea of what the repairs and replacements will cost. Your next task is to wait patiently, keeping yourself available to answer any questions during the process. You may get a check for the estimated damages upfront after your file your Arizona homeowner insurance claim. This should help you pay for immediate lodging and any necessities that you lost in the fire, flood, or other type of disaster. After your home insurance claim is reviewed and the case is closed, you may get more money if the repairs cost more than originally estimated, so do not worry if your first check is not enough to cover it all. As long as you provide all the evidence you have of the damages, and stay in touch with your agent after making a home insurance claim, you should be able to regain what you lost.