Detailed Residential Property Claim Guide for Homeowners

Filing a residential property claim can seem overwhelming, and rightfully so! Not only do you suddenly have to deal with damage to your home and loss of personal belongings, but you’ve also got to navigate the confusing paperwork process (all while trying to deal with your insurance company, which isn’t known for being helpful).

That’s why Fortitude Public Adjusters is here to explain the filing process in a way that’s as easy-to-understand as possible. Read on to learn how to protect yourself after experiencing residential damage, what you can expect from the claims process, which steps you can take to receive a higher settlement, and much more.

What To Do Immediately After a Residential Property Loss

After experiencing property loss, you might be feeling stressed and unsure of what to do next, but it’s important to try to stay calm. In order to protect yourself, your property, and your finances, you’ll want to follow these next steps:

Step 1: Prioritize Safety First

First and foremost, prioritize the safety of yourself and your loved ones. Evacuate the damaged property if necessary and contact emergency services if there are any immediate threats. If you do want to go back onto your property, double and triple-check that it’s safe enough to enter. (If possible, wait until the authorities give you the go-ahead.)

Step 2: Document Damage

From a safe distance, take thorough documentation of the damage to your property. Photographs, videos, and written descriptions can serve as vital evidence during the claims process. Do your best to capture the extent of the damage to the structure, individual rooms, and specific items affected.

Step 3: Notify Your Insurance Company

Most insurance companies have specific deadlines to file claims by, and these can vary anywhere from 30 days to a year after the damages occurred. Failure to file on time, however, will mean a loss of coverage, and you’ll be left to pay for repairs out of pocket.

Knowing this, you’ll want to promptly report the loss to your insurance provider. Follow their instructions for filing a claim and provide all requested information and documentation. Your insurance company may send you a claim form, known as a “proof of loss” form, to complete.

Step 4: Mitigate Further Damages

You should take reasonable steps to mitigate additional losses to your property (without making full-on, reconstructive changes). This may include temporary repairs or securing the premises, like covering leaks or boarding up broken windows.

Remember to keep receipts of any supplies you buy to secure your property, such as plywood or tarps, as you may be able to be reimbursed. If you are unable to stay at your property due to damage, stop by it regularly to check on its condition and make sure it’s not worsening.

Note: Make sure to talk with your insurance company or your assigned insurance adjuster before moving or removing any debris, as it may be used as evidence in your claim.

Step 5: Keep Records Of Everything

Maintain detailed records of all communications with your insurance company, including dates, times, and individuals spoken to. You’ll also want to make a list of all personal property that was affected by the property damage, as this will be used later to substantiate your claim. This can include furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, and other valuable items.

The chart below may be a helpful way to lay out item documentation:

Item #	Household room	Brand	Model #	Item Description	Quantity	Item age	Estimate replacement cost
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Step 6: Consider Contacting a Public Adjuster

A public adjuster is an insurance professional who works for you, not your insurance provider. Their goal is to secure your rightful settlement and hold your insurance company accountable to its promises. They’re particularly helpful when faced with a confusing or time-intensive property claim, with many benefits including:

Higher settlements: It is more likely that you will receive a settlement that is up to four times greater than if you were to deal with the claim process alone.
Expert guidance: A public adjuster can help you understand your policy, navigate the claims process, and ensure you file all the necessary paperwork correctly.
Time efficiency: There’s no need for you to sit on the phone all day; they can handle most of the communication and paperwork related to your claim, freeing up your time to focus on other priorities.
Advocacy: A public adjuster represents your interests when dealing with the insurance company on your behalf, and they’ll always advocate on your behalf.

What to Expect When Filing a Residential Property Claim

If the insurance claims filing process seems confusing, that’s because insurance providers purposefully design it to be that way. They want to make it as difficult as possible for you to get your rightful settlement. In order to better prepare yourself, here’s what you can likely expect when filing a claim:

Thorough Policy Review

You’ll want to make sure you are familiar with your policy documents, including the details of your coverage, the deductibles, and any exclusions. If you don’t have a physical copy of your current home insurance policy, you can either have your insurance representative send it to you or download it online from your insurance account.

Gathering Important Documents

Documentation, such as police reports, photographs, estimates, proof of ownership, witness statements, and receipts, if applicable, should be gathered. These are necessary to show “proof of loss” to your insurance company, and the more documentation you gather, the higher your settlement will likely be.

Time-Sensitive Submission

As previously mentioned, you’re going to need to file your claim within the timeframe specified by your policy, and this is usually within 60 to 90 days. Don’t rush to submit it: take your time to figure out all the details to ensure you don’t make any mistakes. (However, it’s also important that you don’t finish this at the last minute.)

Checking Claim Progress

After you’ve filed your claim, you may need to check in with your insurance provider to inquire about the status of your claim. Wisconsin state laws require that insurance companies acknowledge your claim within 10 days of filing, and pay out undisputed claims within 30 days.

What is Covered in My Homeowners Policy?

Homeowner’s insurance policies typically cover a range of perils, including fire, theft, vandalism, windstorms, and certain natural disasters. However, coverage can vary depending on your policy’s specific terms and conditions.

Review your policy documents carefully to understand the extent of your coverage and any exclusions that may apply, and if you have any questions, don’t be afraid to contact your insurance company for clarification. Standard policies typically include coverage for:

Dwelling (Structure of Your Home)

“Dwelling” coverage, often a component of homeowners’ insurance, refers to the part of the policy that protects the physical structure of your home. This coverage typically includes the house itself, as well as attached structures such as a garage or deck.

In the event of damage, you’ll want to compile a list of all the damage you want to show to the insurance adjuster when they visit. This list should include instances of wall cracks, floor or ceiling damage, and missing roof tiles. If you suspect unseen structural damage, discuss this with your adjuster.

Personal Property (Contents of Your Home)

“Personal property” coverage is a part of homeowners’ or renters’ insurance that protects your belongings or possessions. This coverage typically includes items such as furniture, electronics, clothing, and appliances located inside your home.

In the event of covered perils like theft, fire, or vandalism, personal property coverage helps reimburse you for the cost of repairing or replacing your belongings, up to the policy’s limits (and subject to deductibles).

Note: Preemptively taking videos or photos of your belongings in each room is an easy way to document your possessions in case of any future damage.

Additional Living Expenses

If your property is deemed uninhabitable, then you likely won’t have to pay for your temporary living arrangements out of pocket. Most standard homeowner’s policies include coverage for additional living expenses (ALE), and this typically includes things like:

Hotel expenses
Meals (This can’t be claimed if you have access to some sort of kitchen.)
Rent
Furnishings
Transportation
Pet Boarding (If your pet can’t stay with you during this time.)
Laundry expenses

Note: Remember to save all bills and receipts related to your additional living expenses, because without them, you might not be able to be reimbursed.

Residential Water Damage

Homeowners insurance doesn’t include coverage for flood damage, but it does provide coverage for various other types of water-related damage. For example, if your pipes freeze and burst during the winter, resulting in water damage, you will likely be covered.

However, it’s always advisable to consult with your insurance company to confirm if your specific instance of water damage is covered. For flood coverage, you would need to purchase a separate policy “add-on”, in addition to your standard homeowner’s insurance.

Replacement Cost Value Vs. Actual Cash Value: What Does it Mean?

When you insure your property and belongings, there are two main types of coverage available: replacement cost value (RCV) and actual cost value (ACV). Although the two are often used interchangeably, they’re not the same thing, and it’s important to understand the difference between the two when filing a claim:

Replacement Cost Value (RCV)

This coverage reimburses you for the cost of replacing your damaged or stolen items with new items of a similar kind and quality, without deducting for depreciation.

Actual Cash Value (ACV)

This coverage reimburses you for the current value of your damaged or stolen items, taking depreciation into account. As a result, the payout may be lower than the cost of replacing the items with new ones.

What To Do if You Disagree with Your Settlement Amount

If you believe the settlement offered by your insurance company is insufficient or unfair, you don’t have to accept it. There are options available for you to push back and get the money you rightfully deserve:

Review your policy: Carefully review your insurance policy to make sure you understand the terms and coverage limitations. There may be some small detail you missed the first time around.
Request a reassessment: Provide additional documentation or evidence to support your claim and request a reassessment from your insurance company.
Negotiate: If necessary, you can try to negotiate with your insurance adjuster to reach a fair settlement. Consider seeking assistance from a public adjuster or legal counsel if you encounter difficulties.
Talk to the claims manager: Don’t hesitate to contact your insurance company’s claims manager directly if you have questions concerning the settlement offer (and have given the claims adjuster a chance to answer them).

What To Do if Your Homeowner’s Insurance Claim Gets Denied

There are many reasons why a homeowner’s insurance claim can be denied, such as failure to file on time, non-payment of premiums, or lack of documentation. Insurance companies are always looking for opportunities to deny your claim, and often for unfair reasons. If you feel like your claim was wrongly denied, you can take the following steps:

Understand the reason: Request a detailed explanation for the denial from your insurance company. (They are required by law to provide you with one.)
Review your options: Review your policy to understand your options for appeal or recourse.
File an appeal: If you believe the denial is unjustified, file an appeal with your insurance company. Provide any additional evidence or documentation to support your case.
File a complaint: If all other avenues have been explored, consider filing a complaint with your State Insurance Department. Upon receiving a complaint, the department usually investigates to determine if the insurance company has breached any state laws or regulations.
Seek legal assistance: If necessary, consider seeking legal representation to escalate your claim.

Have More Questions? Contact Fortitude Public Adjusters Today

Have more questions regarding residential property claims? Then contact us today! At Fortitude Public Adjusters, we understand the complicated ins and outs of the claims process and will fight on your behalf to get a proper settlement. Whether that involves combing through the fine print or gathering evidence, we’ll get you the money you deserve!