Should You File A Claim?

Severe weather, storms and other natural catastrophes are becoming more frequent and more destructive year-over-year. It can be a stressful time when bad weather damages your property and when faced with challenges, you may look to your insurance policies to protect your assets.

As brokers, we always remind you not to panic when something happens. If damage does occur, for example, strong winds rip through your neighbourhood and your fence is damaged, you may be tempted to immediately contact your insurance company to file a claim.

Before you file a claim, consider the severity of the damage and whether filing a claim is the right choice. You may be better off calling a repair company and getting a free estimate, if your deductible is similar or more expensive than the cost to repair, no need to file a claim.

This is usually the case when your property has suffered relatively minor damage, most of the time it is not necessary to file a claim. Filing a claim will impact your coverage and premiums down the line, including the loss of a claims free discount. continuing to file claims can make it more difficult to qualify for coverage.

Considering the potential impacts to your coverage, sometimes the best course of action is to take the appropriate measures to mitigate any further damage and hold off on filing a claim until you have spoken with your broker.

At Petley-Hare, our brokers work with you to create tailor-made solutions to ensure you have the right coverage in place for maximum protection. To discuss the finer details of home insurance services, contact us online or call us at 1-800-216-5324. Request a free, no-obligation quote from our experts.