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Smart and simple tips to file a home insurance claim

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Published on 24th Aug 2020 EST Read time 4 Mins

Having home insurance is a smart way to cover your home against unforeseen events. While a natural disaster may strike any time or your house may suffer an accidental fire, a homeowner’s insurance policy saves you from burning a hole in your pocket in such circumstances. It covers the structure of your home and your belongings inside, including the valuables.

Home insurance claim process

In case a natural calamity or man-made hazard has struck your home, the first step is to approach your insurance company and intimate the claim. If you have little or no idea about the claim filing procedure, here is some information that can help.

• How long does it take to process a home insurance claim?

• What happens when you make a home insurance claim?

• What are the steps of an insurance claim?

Find out if you can file a homeowner’s insurance claim or not

Most insurance companies cover damages caused by natural disasters, fire, riots, and other man-made perils. In case of damage to your home’s structure, furniture, valuable antiques, and other belongings, talk to your insurance company to know if the damage is covered or excluded. You can also check the policy documents and familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions. If the damage is covered by the insurer, you should file a claim without delay.

Home insurance claims filing procedure

The home insurance claim filing procedure may vary from one insurance provider to another. It also depends on the type of claim you are filing. However, the basic procedure to file a claim is:

• Inform the insurance company:
  In the event of a claim, intimate your insurance company via email/ call to the Call centre/ digital claim intimation via website or apps at the earliest and get the claim registered.

• Furnish details:
  Provide the insurance company with the required details, such as your home insurance policy number and other information relevant to the claim. You may also photograph or videotape the damaged sections of your home and share them with the insurance company. The insurance company may also ask you to provide the details of the equipment damaged and the approximate loss incurred.

• Checking of documents:
  Make sure you check with the insurance company on the relevant documents required for claim processing. After checking the details and validating your claim’s authenticity, the insurance company will hand it over to the claims department.

• Survey:
  Once the claims department registers your request, it will send a surveyor to your property to assess the damage and losses. A surveyor will typically be assigned for claims that exceed a certain pre-defined limit. On surveyor visit, submit relevant information to the surveyor to help expedite the procedure.

• Claims report:
  The surveyor then prepares a survey report and submits it to the insurance company. In the report, he provides an estimate of the loss or damage caused to your property along with cause of loss. Necessary documents are also submitted with the report.

• Speak to the insurer:
  After the survey, talk to the insurance company to get an idea of the damages they will cover. Also, ask how long the insurer will take to process the claim. The company will also tell you if they require any other details to expedite the claim filing process.

• Fill the claim form:
  The insurance company will provide you with a claim form that should be filled and sent back at the earliest. You may also be asked to submit certain documents along with the form.

• Claim will be settled:
  Once the claims department receives your claim form and the required documents, it will process and settle the claim promptly.

 Documents required for settling a claim

While settling a claim, your insurance company may ask you for the following documents:

Documents for damage or losses due to fire:

• Fire brigade report, if applicable

• FIR, if applicable

• Cost of reconstructing the damaged residence

• Repair or replacement bills

• Any other documents the surveyor asks for

• Original purchase invoice of high valued items to determine the depreciation amount. The invoice should contain proper details of the items, such as make, model number, manufacturing year, etc.

Documents for losses due to theft or burglary:

• Original invoice of the stolen items

• Repair or replacement cost

• FIR

• Final report from the police station

Conclusion

Most homeowners have to file a claim at some point for property damage due to an earthquake, storm, water leakage, theft, and other unforeseen events. Purchasing HDFC ERGO home insurance policy is the right way to safeguard your home and save yourself from huge losses. We offer insurance for owners as well as tenants and cover almost all important aspects of a home. In case you want to register a claim, get in touch with us on our toll-free helpline number. We will guide you through the procedure and settle your claim in no time.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales. Home Shield Insurance UIN IRDAN125P0001V01201718, UID No. D2HO868

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