This is one of the things in life I try to avoid the most, however, they are unavoidable so might as well discuss them here. When you file an insurance claim, there is always a possibility you’ll get turned down or worse, scammed. Usually, you file a claim when your mind is not functioning well so there is not enough time to rehearse what to say or even choose the words that should come out of your mouth. To top it all off, there is not enough patience in you to deal with it diplomatically. Unless you are a scammer yourself, you don’t file a claim if there is without a need for it, right?

Luckily, I have a “broker” relative who knows insurance very well and he has simple tips to keep in mind when filing an insurance claim:

•    Go through all the motions of properly filing an insurance claim. That is, contact your agent, fill out forms and wait for the adjuster to come and visit you. Make sure you file all your supporting papers and documents to back your claim up.
•    Stay away from your insurance company’s radar. Two or three in a row claims will definitely put you in the worst possible position and you risk cancellation of your insurance coverage.
•    Go over your policy before filing a claim. Be your own adjuster and find loopholes in it. Know your policy by heart.
•    File as early as possible. No need to wait for God-knows-what, the earliest you can file, the better are your chances.
•    Get estimates from reputable repair companies, preferably two or three so your adjuster will have options.
•    Keep your tracks well documented. Done some minor repair? Ask for an invoice. Hired someone to fix the roof? Ask for a receipt. You need to be able to show your insurance company how much you spent on repairs and if indeed there were repairs made. Photos are good, videos are better.
•    It is better if someone knowledgeable would be present during an adjuster’s inspection. Surely, there will be questions thrown your way so having someone around who knows exactly what to say will help you get through the visit smoothly.
•    Do take notes and keep them in one place as a reference. This will come in handy for seniors who are suffering from memory problems.
•    Fight for your rights. Don’t just accept an assessment if you feel it’s not done fairly. Haggle if you must.