Obviously, nobody wants to need to dip into their home insurance when something goes wrong with their humble abode. After all, that need would only arise in a serious situation – and, if you do claim, the affordability of your future premiums could be at stake.
However, if major damage is inflicted upon your building, making a successful claim can still prove a largely fuss-free solution. Which steps can you take to help yourself in ensuring that claim’s success?
Prepare evidence of what your home was like before
As the Financial Ombudsman Service explains, because buildings and contents insurance policies tend to be policies of indemnity, they are meant to return the policyholder to the position they were in just prior to the loss or damage occurring.
However, you can’t expect your insurer to be sure exactly what, in your case, that position was if you don’t give them evidence. The consumer watchdog Which? reports that some of its members have seen insurance claims turned down due to insufficient evidence like a receipt or photograph.
If you’re only reading this advice after the loss or damage has happened, you might still be able to fish out a receipt or photo from somewhere.
Don’t rush to discard damaged items
The exception here, noted by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), would be if the items are hazardous to health; think rotting food, for example. The point of keeping items is so that your insurer can inspect them if they wish; therefore, you should photograph items that do need to go.
Approach us before you approach your insurer
If your roofing has sustained damage, but the home is in Yorkshire, you can conveniently turn to Findley’s, our well-regarded roofing company in Yorkshire, to have your roof repaired. We can assess the damage for free and then, if you subsequently give the go-ahead, carry out the necessary repair work.
However, this certainly isn’t the only reason to phone our number, 0191 417 3422, before your insurer’s. We can also get to work on a remedial repair report which, submitted to your insurer along with photographic evidence, can increase your chances of securing success with your claim.
If you aren’t experienced with preparing insurance claims, don’t worry. We can help you at every stage of the application process and so prevent you from making potentially costly “rookie mistakes”. Give us a call to learn more about how we can assist you in this way.
Don’t wait too long before getting underway with your claim!
While many insurers will let you make a home insurance claim up to 180 days after the incident necessitating the claim, you should really get the wheels in motion as soon as possible. This is because insurers prefer to handle large claims, especially those resulting from a fire or flood, at the earliest opportunity.
Postponing the claim could see the damage worsen in the meantime. It would hardly be convenient if you find yourself needing to make up for this with an even bigger claim!
