Dream Builders Realty Blog - Tim Weisheyer, P.A.

3 Things You Should Know Before Calling Your Insurance Company’s Claims Department

Written by Tim Weisheyer | Sep 14, 2016 3:00:14 PM

Dream Builders Realty is committed to providing the highest quality service. Because of this, we work with the best Osceola County has to offer. Although our customers can choose to work with anyone, we have our own recommendations when asked. 

With these partnerships comes valuable information on real estate related topics we can offer you. We are able to answer questions related to mortgages, title work, insurance and beyond. 

This week, we're featuring our guest blogger, Andrew Harrell from Harrell Agency Services. He's talking all about what you need to know when it comes to making a claim with your insurance agency.

We’ve seen a lot of claims that should have never been filed. Here are a few things that can help you determine whether 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.

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 know very little 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.

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.

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! If you’re looking for quality insurance in Kissimmee, let us know.

Working with a knowledgeable REALTOR®, insurance agent, mortgage broker, and any other real estate professional is key to navigating all aspects of a real estate transaction. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at Dream Builders Realty or any of our industry partners