Filing a home insurance claim can be a complex task, and there are commonly numerous aspects to take into account. For instance, every year, approximately 5% of homeowners file a claim. Your home insurance policy may affect what you are entitled to and what you have to do to submit a claim. If your home has been damaged in any way, it can require restoration. Maybe an earthquake struck or a tree fell on your roof during a windstorm. Either way, filing a claim is a time-consuming process consisting of a few steps. 

Luckily, there may be an easy solution to this case, that is the use of the services of an independent insurance adjuster. They are professionals who act as liaisons among insurance groups and policyholders. The insurance adjusters act on behalf of the insurer by assessing and evaluating coverage claims, determining culpability, and negotiating affordable settlements for all parties involved. This individual is not a direct employee of the insurance organisation. They are frequently both self-hired impartial contractors or personnel of claims-handling enterprises.

But if you decide to file an insurance claim on your own, here are four common mistakes to avoid. 

1. Filing many claims for small occurrences 

Filing several claims may be pricey. However, small value repairs might be far less expensive than submitting many claims. If you have already filed a home insurance claim and you are concerned about your insurance rates rising, it may be beneficial to speak with your insurance provider about ways to minimise future rate increases.

Also, if you've made several claims or the damage is relatively minor, you should examine if this scenario is something you need to contact your insurance company about or if it's best to settle it without them.

2. Not having the right coverage

Some homeowners believe that their house insurance plans cover hurricane-related wind and flood damage. However, such an assumption might be a costly mistake. Insurance companies in hurricane-prone areas may exclude wind damage, while flood damage is often excluded from a normal home insurance policy. A smart storm insurance strategy may include three distinct policies to guarantee you have adequate coverage.

The simple fact is that a policy's exclusions would possibly catch up with you, in particular if you live in a catastrophe-susceptible place. If you do not have the proper insurance, you can find yourself in a severe economic hole. A talk with an insurance adjuster might help you avoid these mistakes. If you anticipate being reimbursed for the replacement cost, you'll be dismayed to realise that your insurance only covers the actual price of your items.

Make sure you read the small print and get the exact insurance coverage you need for all eventualities in your area and home.

3. Waiting to notify your insurance company

The sooner you make a claim, the sooner you'll obtain the financial assistance you require. It is recommended that you contact your insurance provider as soon as possible following an accident. This allows them to send someone out to assess the property damage and provide quotes to get your house repaired as quickly as possible.

If you've been hit by a natural catastrophe, such as a storm, it's possible that others in your community have also suffered property damage. Do not wait until everyone in the region files a claim at the same time. It will take 10 times longer. You should call as soon as submitting a claim appears on your to-do list and then take proactive steps to maintain track of your claim.

4. Cleaning up before the insurance company's adjuster comes 

After a disaster, your house becomes a sort of crime scene. That may sound dramatic, but that is how you should treat your house and its inventory, regardless of how unclean, damaged, or destroyed they are. Going in and cleaning up the property beforehand may make sense, but it is a huge error.

The adjuster must guarantee that you are fairly compensated, thus the damage must be accurately calculated. If you begin cleaning up the things, you may not be eligible for the full value of your insurance claim.

A good tip is to take photos so you can evidence all the damage if needed.

Final thoughts

Filing a home insurance claim may be stressful, especially if your home has sustained major damage. There are a few things you can do to assist the claims process go smoothly. If your house is heavily damaged and you consider submitting a claim, document the damage and start preparing to submit the claim with the condition that you're certain the claim is worth it. But, before filing anything, review once again your insurance policy and hire an insurance adjuster to guide you through the process, like filing the claim for you and making an inventory of your personal goods.