If a natural disaster strikes your home causing you to have to move out of your house, what happens next? If you have a homeowner's insurance policy that covers the peril, you can feel rest assured knowing that your policy will compensate you. When this occurs, you might not know what to expect next. Here are several things to know about the next steps.

The Insurance Company Sends an Adjuster

When you experience a peril to your home, you will need to call your insurance company right away. They will create a claim for the event and will send an adjuster to your home. The adjuster's responsibility is to report the damages to the insurance company and calculate the claim amount. How much damage occurred? How much will it cost to repair the home? The adjuster works with the insurance company to handle the claim.

You Can File a Claim for ALE

If your policy includes additional living expense (ALE) coverage, you can file a claim for that, too. ALE coverage provides compensation if you have to vacate your house after a covered peril occurs. If you must move out of your house, you might encounter additional expenses to pay. ALE covers these things, including the cost of rent and the increase in costs for food and other necessities. If your policy does not include ALE coverage, ask your agent about adding it.

You Must Create a List of Your Losses

Next, the insurance company might ask you to create a list of items you lost during the event. Your home insurance policy likely provides compensation for your personal items, but you will likely only receive compensation for the things you lost. Making a list is the best way to prove your losses.

The Insurance Company Settles the Claim

When a major peril occurs, it takes time for the insurance company to settle the claim. They might provide you with some compensation now, though, to help you get through this tough event. Within a few weeks or months, they will settle the claim and provide you with the compensation you need. The amount depends on your insurance plan and the damages you encountered.

Having homeowner's insurance offers protection from many perils. If you do not have this coverage when you experience damages, you will have to pay the repair costs out of your pocket. To learn more about homeowner's insurance, contact an agent today.

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