In this article, you will learn more about home insurance claims and the differences in terms of assistance. So, keep reading to make the best choice!
What is home insurance?
Home insurance aims to provide complete protection for the insured’s property. What does this mean? The contract will cover both structural problems and possible difficulties related to the interior of the house.
With home insurance, the policyholder is covered against financial losses in the event of a claim — which is any event in which the material asset indicated in the policy suffers damage. Thus, the policyholder can receive compensation for unexpected expenses, unlike the assistance proposal, as we will see below.
Now, anyone who thinks that taking out insurance will compromise the family budget is mistaken. The cost is around 1% of the reconstruction value of the property. In this sense, it represents one of the types of insurance that can be most tailored to the insured’s objectives and needs.
For this purpose, there are basic and additional coverages, which must be evaluated in order to meet the insured’s interests. Basic coverages are those that have essential items, present in most insurance policies offered to the public.
In this case, compensation for explosion damages, lightning, and fires are covered under this policy, to name a few. Under extra coverage, it is available for purchase by buying packages such as interior insurance for the property or even liability civil liability cover for damages affecting third parties.
For instance, if an object falls from your window and unfortunately hits a person, you are entitled to reimbursement for all medical expenses. Other examples of additional coverage include:
- theft;
- theft;
- vehicle impact;
- electrical damage;
- damage due to windstorms, floods or hail ;
- personal accidents;
- loss coverage;
- payment of rent to third parties, among others.
It is important to note that each insurance company has different rules and criteria. Therefore, it is essential that you look for serious companies in the market that are recognized for the safety and quality of the service they offer.
What is residential care?
Home assistance is a set of services focused on helping in cases of domestic emergencies. The insured who opts for this modality receives services that help in resolving everyday unforeseen events.
This is a 24-hour assistance service, linked to home insurance, but focused exclusively on resolving routine emergencies. Examples of services offered include:
- security and surveillance;
- cleaning;
- cleaning;
- laundry expenses;
- temporary roof covering for tiles;
- referral of professionals (such as locksmith, nanny, etc.);
- domestic animal services , among others.
What are the differences between insurance and assistance?
The characteristics of each contract already point to their differences. While insurance compensates the policyholder for the risks described and defined in the policy, assistance is a package of services that aims to help cover common problems in the domestic routine.
Thus, home assistance will help with minor daily unforeseen events, but it will not protect against significant damage in the event of an accident. Meanwhile, insurance is a broader protection that includes the option of 24-hour assistance.
The difference between them lies in the moment of requesting the service. Insurance coverage is requested in unexpected situations that lead to expenses and losses, such as electrical discharges and fires. Assistance, on the other hand, is requested for emergencies, such as the loss of a key, a leaking sink or an electrical problem.
What are the coverages for claims?
When eliminating domestic insurance, it’s miles essential to recognise exactly what situations are blanketed, in particular inside the case of activities that might reason harm to the belongings or belongings. These coverages are typically divided into two types:
basic coverage:
- fire, lightning and explosion — most home insurance policies include protection against damage caused by fire, lightning and explosions, as these are common events that can cause significant losses;
- electrical damage — this coverage protects against damage caused by short circuits, power surges and other electrical problems that may affect appliances and installations;
- windstorms, hail and floods — many insurance policies also offer protection against natural phenomena such as storms, hail and floods, which can cause damage to both the structure of the house and the objects it houses.
Additional coverage:
- robbery and qualified theft — offers compensation in the event of robbery or qualified theft of protected goods inside the residence;
- family civil liability — guarantees protection in the event of damage caused to third parties, such as accidents inside the home or objects that could injure someone;
- Emergency expenses — covers immediate expenses needed to contain damage or prevent an emergency situation from getting worse, such as temporary repairs or temporary lodging.
What is configured as a claim?
Common examples of claims:
- fires — if a fire damages the structure of the residence, insurance can be activated to cover the damage, as long as the event falls within the conditions stipulated in the policy ;
- robberies and qualified thefts — in situations of break-ins or invasions that result in the theft of goods , coverage can compensate for losses, provided that this protection has been contracted by the insured;
- Natural disasters — damage caused by windstorms, floods, hail or lightning that affect the structure of the house are typical examples of home insurance claims;
- electrical damage and explosions — situations such as short circuits that burn electronic devices or explosions that cause serious damage or even destruction of the property are also considered claims.
What is not considered a claim?
Minor damages, for instance, wall scratches or other scratches on the furniture, do not constitute a claim and consequently are not payable. Furthermore, damages that may not be indicated in the policy or are of bad faith and careless actions from the insured, do not enjoy compensation.
How does one activate insurance in case of a claim?
When there is a claim, be it fire or theft, the insured must be clear on exactly what to do to activate the insurance and acquire the compensation given in the policy. The procedure is not so complicated and merely requires following a few steps closely, ensuring that the insurer is able to process and approve the claim without delays or complications. The steps you should follow are:
1. Immediate communication
You should contact the insurance company immediately after the occurrence of a claim. This can be done using a phone call, email, the application of the insurance company, or whatever other means may be provided. Informing the company about the claim might have different time bars depending on the policy, but it is always wise to act immediately to avoid any form of problem.
2. Filing of a police report
In cases of accidents related to crimes, like robberies, thefts or vandalism, one should report at the nearest police station because that document is necessary for the insurance company to prove what happened.
3. Documentation
The insured is obligated to provide the insurer with all the documentation they request, which may include pictures of the damage, receipts for damaged or stolen goods, technical reports if required, and the police report. After all, these documents will be essential to prove the claim and detail the losses.
4. Inspection and assessment
The insurer may send an expert to inspect the site and assess the damage. The expert will check the extent of the damage and whether the claim complies with the terms of the policy.
5. Analysis and decision
After the inspection, the insurance company will analyze the claim for compensation. If everything is in accordance with the contractual conditions, payment will be made. Compensation can be made by bank transfer, check or other previously agreed method.
6. Pay attention to deadlines
There is a deadline for the processes involved, in terms of which both the insured and the insurer have to adhere. The insurer has a grace period within which to review the claim and respond, while the insured has to provide all the documentation within the time set.