| Listed below are certain tips that can assist in | | | | should have enough signs showing that the damage is |
| handling insurance claims when natural disasters such | | | | caused due to wind and rain. |
| as hurricanes or earthquakes occur. | | | | 3. Documentation: It is important to document each |
| 1. Understanding the basics: Every home insurance | | | | and every receipt for which one would like to make |
| policy provides insurance coverage against only | | | | an insurance claim. One good alternative is to |
| certain types of damages such as damage caused | | | | download an inventory checklist available on the |
| due to windstorm, fire or theft. It is important to | | | | website of any insurance company. Rule of the |
| understand this clause before filing any insurance | | | | thumb is that more the information provided by the |
| claim. It is the responsibility of the insuree to prove | | | | insuree about damaged possessions, easier would be |
| that the damage occurred is within the limits of the | | | | claim process. Hence, one should include details such |
| clause. | | | | as the cost, make and model number of the |
| 2. Assessing damage: It is important to have a | | | | possession that has been damaged and included in |
| personal assessment about the cause of the damage | | | | the claim. |
| so as to ensure the presence of sufficient evidence | | | | 4. Appraiser: One should never compromise on the |
| that can prove the claim to be true. For example, | | | | settlement value made by the insurance company. In |
| typical home insurance policies in hurricane-prone | | | | case of any disagreement, one should take the |
| areas do not provide any insurance coverage to the | | | | complete advantage of appraisal clause and get the |
| damage caused by flood waters. Cover is applicable | | | | property valued by an independent appraiser to |
| only to those damages that have occurred due to | | | | determine the exact value of the loss. |
| windstorm, fire or wind-blown rain. The home interiors | | | | |