Buying a house is one of the greatest decisions and investments you can ever make. It also requires you to have a plan in place for how you will protect that investment from any danger and disasters that might occur. Home insurance is able to protect your home and its contents from any unexpected disasters that might occur, but how do you submit a claim after a burglary?
As a homeowner, a home insurance policy will ensure that you are covered in the case of an emergency or accident. It is able to cover the physical structure and items that are attached to the home. In the event of a burglary this means that any items that are damaged will be covered such as damaged doors and broken windows.
It’s important to note that a home insurance policy won’t be able to cover your personal possessions and you would need to get a separate policy; a home contents insurance for this purpose. You have the option to get a joint home and home contents policy that will be able to cover the physical structure and all your personal possessions such as your furniture and appliances.
Benefits of home insurance
The first benefit of having home insurance is that it will be able to cover any damage that occurs to your investment and in the event of a disaster that completely damages your house, you won’t have to worry about the cost of rebuilding. There are some covers that will take care of the cost of your temporary accommodation while still rebuilding. It is your responsibility to check your coverage regularly to ensure that it is up to date.
The second benefit is that you will be able to have peace of mind when the day comes and you need to make a claim. You will be saved from potential high financial costs that you could incur and your investment will be well protected.
How to claim after a burglary
When the worst happens and you experience a burglary, it can be incredibly scary for you and your family. Your home is supposed to be your safe haven and when someone breaks in, it can be traumatic. You also have to deal with the fact that your possessions are missing and you have to go through the insurance claims process. So how do you deal with the aftermath of the burglary? You simply need to follow the steps offered below.
- Report the crime to the police
As soon as you realize that your house has been broken into, the first thing you should do is call the police. You should try not to touch or move anything until the police forensic team leaves. This is because the burglars might leave behind fingerprints or footprints which will assist in making an arrest. So, the police will need to gather up evidence.
Once you have reported the crime you will also receive a reference number or case number from the police which you will need to make a claim with your insurance. Report to the police if any personal documents or items have been stolen such as credit and debit cards, passports and driving licenses.
- Make note of the damage
Once the police have left, you need to look around your house in order to see what has been damaged or stolen. You can also take photos or videos of the damage done such as damaged doors or windows. Make note of emergency repairs that need to be done immediately such as damaged locks as this could put you in more danger of another burglary. Ensure that the things that need to be repaired are also covered under your policy so you can repair them. But ensure that you keep receipts from locksmiths to claim later on from your insurance. It would be better to check in with your insurance company first to see what they require if it isn’t an emergency.
- Contact your insurance company
Once you have received a case number from the police, you need to call your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours of reporting the incident to the police. The insurance company will be able to review your policy and tell you what you were covered for. They will ask for information such as:
- When and where you purchased the missing items.
- The value of those items.
- The brand and model of those items.
- Warranties of purchased items.
They will tell you how emergency repairs will be handled if you do require them. They will also provide their recommended service providers. You might be asked to send through specific documents and some documents might be sent to you to begin the official claims process. You will receive a case number at the end of this process.
- Fill out the claim form
You will be provided with an insurance form which will formally begin the claim. You should include your policy number and identity number. You will need to assess the loss suffered and you will be assigned a contractor that is recommended by your claims consultant in order to get an accurate estimate. Once the estimate of the damage has been received by your claims consultant, then they will begin to process your claim.
- Repairs and Replacement
You will be updated throughout the claims process about the progress of your case. Once your claim has been processed, your claims consultant will give you a settlement according to the settlement that is established in your insurance policy. You will receive payment once the claims consultant has confirmed the amount payable to you, how it will be made and who it will be made to. Once payments have been made, then your claim will be closed.
Conclusion
Home insurance guarantees you peace of mind in your daily life. In the event that you need to make a claim you can be assured that your concerns are well taken care of and you won’t have to suffer financial loss in the event of a burglary.
Find out How Securing Your Home Can Help You Lower Insurance Costs.
