I Need to File a Home Claim. What Should I Do?

The smoke alarm blares in the middle of the night. A tree branch crashes through your living room window during a storm. Or perhaps you discover your water heater has burst. In addition to damaging your home and potentially disrupting your life, unexpected disasters like these mean you may have to file a home insurance claim. Of course, if the estimated repair cost is less than your homeowners deductible, it makes sense to pay out of pocket and not file a claim.

Handy Tips to Speed up a Claim:

• Take pictures of the damages
• Start the claim process as soon as possible after the event
• Prepare an inventory of damaged personal property

Navigating the home insurance claim process doesn’t have to be complicated (especially if you’re a Wawanesa member). Still, it is crucial to start the claim as soon after the incident as possible. Your policy will outline in detail what your responsibilities are, but read on to discover the critical steps involved in filing a claim:

1. Get in touch with your insurer. Wawanesa members can start a claim in two ways — either online or by phone at 888-WAWA-CLAIM (929-2252). You can use either 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Find out if you’re covered for the incident, how long you have to file the claim, and when you’ll be reimbursed.
2. Take steps to protect your home against further damage. If your roof’s been compromised after a big storm, get a roofer in to cover the area with a tarp. For water damage, call a mitigation company as soon as possible, as it’s essential to dry out the area quickly to avoid the onset of mold.
3. If your home has been vandalized or burglarized, make a police report and note the names of all the law enforcement officers you speak with, as you may need to show the details to your insurer.
4. Your assigned claims adjuster will contact you to review your coverage details and explain the process. This adjuster will be your point of contact throughout the process and can help guide you through the stages and answer any questions.
5. Some claims may require an inspection to determine coverage. Wawanesa members can choose between our preferred contractors for repairs or have their adjuster visit to provide an estimate, giving you the flexibility to hire a contractor of your choice.
6. Once the work has been completed and signed off, you should receive a check for any funds owed to you by your insurance company.

Avoid Damage with Preventative Measures

While certain events like winter storms or wildfires are not within our control, you can take many preventative actions to safeguard your home. Below, we’ve highlighted a few of the measures you can focus on to keep your sanctuary intact, provide peace of mind, and help you avoid home insurance claims:

• Repair dripping or cracked pipes.
• Replace old valves and supply lines.
• Keep water pressure at the recommended PSI.
• Install automatic water sensors.
• Maintain your roof and keep gutters clear of debris.
• Practice fire safety with space heaters, holiday lights, and candles.
• Turn battery chargers off on oversized items like power tools and electric vehicles.
• Don’t overload power strips and circuits.
• Never leave pots on the stove unattended.
• Check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Make sure outdoor fires and BBQs are fully extinguished after use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I file a claim?

You should file an insurance claim whenever a covered event results in property damage or injury that will likely exceed your deductible. Certain types of homeowner claims may be excluded from your policy. If you’re unsure whether something is covered, check your policy documents or call 800-640-2920 to speak with one of our helpful agents who can review your policy.

It's important to note that if the damage was caused by an ongoing maintenance issue or a long-term problem that hasn’t been repaired, it may not be covered. Regular maintenance and prompt repairs can help prevent such issues and potential claim denials.

What should I do in a water emergency?

If water leaks from the supply line, turn it off at the source as soon as you discover it. If the leak’s coming from an appliance like a dishwasher or washing machine, immediately stop using it. Wawanesa can give you referrals for a remediation company and plumber. Be sure to hold on to receipts and any damaged parts if possible.

What happens if I need to move out?

If your home is so severely damaged that you need to find other accommodations while repairs are being made, Wawanesa provides coverage for additional living expenses. (Be sure to keep all your receipts and records of extra expenses incurred.)

How long do claims take?

It depends. Claims can take just a few days to resolve or up to several months, depending on the severity of the damage. Water damage claims typically take 30-45 days, but if most of the home is affected, it could take several months. Delays in construction due to materials shortages or high demand on contractors can be another factor that influences the life of the claim. Theft claims can be completed in about two weeks, depending on how quickly we receive documentation.

Will my rate increase if I file a claim?

Since most homeowners insurance companies offer discounts when their members remain claim-free, claim history can sometimes impact premium rates.

Will my insurance be canceled if I file a claim?

Your policy will not be canceled after claims for the following events:

• Weather
• Earthquake
• Catastrophe
• Additional Living Expenses (ALE)
• Identity-theft Fraud
• Medical Payments to Others
• Personal Property
• Subrogated Losses
• Claims where the net amount is less than $500

For other events, it depends on how many claims have been submitted on the same policy or property in the past.

When you’ve taken all the precautions mentioned to safeguard your property, an additional step is to speak with a helpful Wawanesa agent to ensure you have the right policy for your situation. They can check that you have the coverages and deductibles you need to protect your home and other assets should the unexpected occur.

We hope you never have to file a claim, but life and weather tend to happen — even with the most careful planning and preparation. At that time, you don’t need the additional stress of worrying that your claim will be complicated or mishandled. Our members consistently rate the Wawanesa claims process highly, so don’t hesitate to get in touch and start the ball rolling. Our claims team is standing by to answer any questions and guide you through the process every step of the way.