We’ve seen a lot of claims that should have never been filed. This is what can happen if you call your insurance company to file a claim and aren't informed. I'd like to talk about a few things that can help you determine whether or not you should file a claim...
Are You Covered?
You might be surprised how many clients we see call the insurance company to either file a claim or even call the company just to find out if something is covered. Unfortunately, this could lead to you filing a claim for damages that aren't even covered under your policy! This is why we always recommend calling your agent before you call the company. Your agent should be able to give you some guidance on whether the damages will be covered. We can't always determine if it is covered, but we usually have a pretty good idea whether it is covered or not.
How Much Damage?
We run into minor damage claims a lot as well. Sometimes our clients will call to file a claim when they have no idea how much it will cost to repair the damage. Of course, most people, including myself, know nothing about the costs to repair drywall or a burst pipe, but it doesn't hurt to get a quick estimate. If it turns out that your damages are less than your deductible, you will have filed a claim that doesn't pay out a dime to you. Which leads to my third point...
What's Your Deductible?
Knowing your deductible works hand-in-hand with having an idea of the cost of damages you've incurred. I have seen people call their insurance company and file a claim just to find out that the damages are less than their deductible. You may think, “Oh well, I didn't get any money for my claim... No big deal!” Well, there can be consequences even though nothing was paid out. When you call the insurance company to file a claim, it goes on your claims record regardless of whether the company paid anything. For auto insurance, that could result in higher costs for your policy down the road; for homeowner's insurance, it could result in your policy being canceled for too many claims if you were ever to file another claim within a certain time period.
It is so important to be informed before calling your insurance company to file a claim. This is why we also recommend you have an experienced, knowledgeable, and trustworthy insurance agent! We have helped people through the claims process many times and sometimes caught damages that either wouldn't have been covered or don't exceed the policy's deductible. Don't be afraid to call your agent and ask questions... That's what we’re here for!
If you're looking for quality insurance in Kissimmee, email us or give us a call at 407.846.6421.
