Filing an insurance claim can be a stressful experience, but understanding what to expect can help you feel more prepared.

Here are the general steps you can expect when filing a home or auto insurance claim:

1. Contact your insurance company: The first step is to contact your insurance company and inform them of the incident that occurred. They will ask for basic information such as your policy number, the date of the incident, and a brief description of what happened. As your insurance agency, we recommend you contact us prior to contacting your carrier directly unless the matter is urgent.
2. Provide necessary documentation: Your insurance company will ask you to provide documentation to support your claim. This may include photos of the damage, police reports, and receipts for any expenses related to the incident.
3. Claim investigation: Once you have filed your claim and provided all the necessary documentation, your insurance company will investigate the claim. This may involve sending an adjuster to inspect the damage or asking you to provide additional information.
4. Settlement offer: After the investigation is complete, your insurance company will make a settlement offer based on the terms of your policy and the evidence gathered during the investigation. If you accept the offer, the insurance company will pay you the agreed-upon amount. *It is not uncommon for an insurance company to make a payment, close the claim, and then re-open the claim if necessary in response to a supplemental claim.
5. Dispute resolution: If you disagree with the settlement offer, you can work with your insurance company to resolve the dispute. This may involve negotiating a higher settlement or requesting an independent appraisal.

It's important to note that the specifics of the claims process can vary depending on the insurance company and the type of policy you have. Be sure to review your policy and contact us or your carrier directly with any questions or concerns.