To further complicate matters, even if a loss is covered, the policy most likely includes a deductible as well as coverage limits. Depending on the nature of the loss, multiple insurance companies may be involved. For example, if a storm strikes and you have both wind and flood damage, you may have to file a claim with your homeowners insurance for the wind damage and another with the national flood insurance program (if you have flood insurance) for the water damage.

Depending on where you live, your deductible may be higher under certain circumstances. For example, in Florida, your deductible for hurricane damage is much higher than if your home was burglarized. So, will your insurance company pay or won’t they? Look at it this way, insurance companies DON’T want to pay. They are in business to generate profits and will need to be convinced BY YOU that the claim should be paid. The burden of proof lies on you, the homeowner. This means that you will need to prove your case and do it well. The better prepared and more organized you are, the better.

Start with documentation. You may need to take dozens of photos and provide your insurance agent with detailed estimates to counter against the insurance company’s original settlement offer. You may need to demand to see how the agent depreciated your property and negotiate a more reasonable method. While your homeowner’s insurance policy is a contract, the claims process does provide room for negotiations with auto insurance company (more information on best negotiation tactics in How to Contact with Auto Insurance Company? article).

Your best bet is to be prepared for a fight. Your tools in this battle include a detailed home inventory, digital photos and video documenting the damage, estimates from local contractors, and a willingness to demand a better offer. You don’t have to do this alone. In fact, many contractors are willing to be present during the insurance adjuster’s visit to help point out damage that the adjuster might have otherwise ignored. In addition, public insurance adjusters act as advocates for the homeowner and work on your behalf to negotiate a higher settlement offer.

Arm yourself with knowledge, documentation, and real-world estimates while also considering professional representation and you’ll be better equipped to answer the question, “Will they pay for it?”



By: Car Insurance Expert

About the Author:

vetal_2007 asked:


Can you resume your auto insurance policy one it was canceled? ok it was canceled 5 months ago I wasn’t using the car so I didn’t need insurance at a moment. Now I am planning on using the car again. Can I just call them and ask them to send me a monthly fee and get insurance resumed or do I need to go to insurance place and talk to Insurance sales agent and pay $200 finders fee again? I don’t want to pay those fees again. Is there a way to resume my insurance without those extra fees. I am a California resident.

Jim D asked:


I was with the same insurance company for 10 years using the same local agent. My car insurance rates kept going up every time my policy was renewed. I decided to explore and see what better rates I could get with other car insurance companies. Friends and family gave me names of local agents from insurance companies they used. All the agents quoted me really high. Then, I called a major insurance company’s 800 number (not through an agent) and got the lowest quote. So, why do people use insurance agents? Is there a reason why it’s better to use an agent?

Amanda asked:


I live in Wisconsin and havent had insurance in about four years. I am getting married in six months and my fiance’s insurance agent said that I should get insurance now, six months before the wedding, so that once we get married and I get added onto his insurance, I won’t raise his insurance since I am considered high risk since I havent had insurance the last six months or more. So, if I get insurance on my won for six months, it will be high risk for those six months, but then six montsh from now, I won’t be high risk, which will be good becasue six months from now is when i would get married and added onto his insurance.

Now, I am going to get insurance on a car that doesn’t have a loan on it, and I am wondering how much insurance I need? What is the least amount of insurance I could get on my car, so that in six months I won’t be high risk anymore?

P.S. I live in Wisconsin, where it isn’t illegal if you don’t have insurance on your car.