Tips on Staying Sane During the Insurance Claim Process

Combining home and auto insurance is a great way to save money, and it can also save you a bit of sanity— especially when it comes time to pay the monthly bill. But all of that peace of mind can be quickly thrown out the window if you’re suddenly forced to file a claim for damage to your home or your car. If you’re the type of person who fears you’ll be pushed past the brink by having to deal with all of the red tape of filing an insurance claim, the tips below will help things go much more smoothly.

• Don’t waste any time. Call your insurance company and file a claim immediately after you’ve received damage. There are very few things as important as this when it comes to insurance claims, because delaying notification for too long could be justifiable cause for your insurer to turn down your claim.

• Don’t sit on requests from your insurer. If the insurance company comes back to you (and they will) requesting additional information, jump to it. The longer you delay getting them the information they need to process your claim, the longer you’ll be without resolution.

• Save all important information. Dedicate a notebook or Word file on your computer specifically to the issue so there’s no danger of important details being misplaced or lost. Keep the claim number and other information, like the name of the adjuster who’s in charge of your claim, where you can access it at all times.

• Note everything, including the time and date and details of any calls you make to your insurance company. You may need to refer back to it in the future and you don’t want to have to go from memory if things get complicated.

• Don’t be a problem customer. If you think that you’re being given the run-around or are being brushed off in any way, you have every right to stand up for yourself. However, this should never include raising your voice or using foul language toward anyone at the insurance company. If you have to complain, do so in a professional and adult manner. Any other approach might just end up backfiring on you.

• Anticipate the red tape. Filing insurance claims isn’t fun, it isn’t easy, and it isn’t anything that anyone ever wants to do. But if you expect things to go smoothly, you’re preparing yourself for some serious frustration. Get yourself mentally prepared for a pain in the neck. That way when it comes, it won’t stoke your ire as violently as it will if you’re hoping for simplicity.

Dealing with one insurance agent and building a relationship with them is critical to making sure that all of your insurance needs are cared for. By combining home and auto insurance, you’re enabling that relationship by putting the majority of your insurance needs with one individual. But regardless of how happy you are with your insurance agent, make it a point to compare insurance quotes with other carriers on a regular basis. This will ensure that you’re never paying too much. If you identify significant savings through researching online insurance quotes, talk to your agent to see if he or she can match what the other provider is offering. You might be surprised at what your agent can do for you.