Getting your claim right after a major disaster can be a pain if not downright impossible. There are some things you can do however to speed the process along so that you can get your claim right after a major disaster.

Be Prepared

If you are reading this in the calm before a storm, then now is the time to get your home insurance in order. Before you buy any coverage make sure that you understand exactly how the claims and payout process works with that insurance company. Home insurance shouldn’t be purchased in a rush. You need to ensure that you have a clear understanding of how you will go about collecting your money if you ever need them to pay out. Just like any other major commitment, you need to do your homework first.

Get it in writing

When it comes time to make a claim it is really important that all of your communication with the insurance company are made in writing. Even if your insurance company calls you, which will happen, follow up the phone call with an email that details everything that was discussed, and what they said. By creating a paper trail you will be in a much better position if anything goes wrong with your claim.

Get Your Documents in Order Before a Disaster Strikes

You will give your insurance company a headache if you don’t have your documents ready when you need to make a claim. The smoother you make the claim process the more likely it is you will be full compensated, and the quicker you will get your money back. Your insurance company is going to need to know everything that you lost in the disaster and it can be hard to create a list after the event. It is highly recommended that you make yourself a list of all of your possessions right now. You could even make a video tour to record what you own. Make sure it is stored in a safe place away from your house.

Know Your Coverage Limits

You need to be aware of the amount that your home insurance covers you for, and if there are any specific limits to the coverage. You may have originally covered your $200,000 dollar home but made improvements that have since increased the value. If you are only covered for the original price you will not be able to claim above it. This could mean your $250,000 remodeled house is only partially covered. You could be left with a bill for the difference.

Keep a Record of Your House’s Condition

It is possible that when you go to make your claim the insurance company will dispute the fact that the disaster caused the damage. They may try to say that your house had problems before the incident, and you will want to be able to prove otherwise. There are two ways to protect yourself from this. First of all you can make a record of the current condition of your house – prior to any disasters – and secondly you can compare the damage caused to your property with those of your neighbors  If everyone in the street has similar roof damage following a storm it is going to be difficult for the insurer to dispute your claim.