Try out these tips to make the claims process for your home insurance a little easier.

While having the right homeowners insurance gives you peace of mind, the idea of having to file an insurance claim can seem daunting. There's no doubt that the claims process is often tedious and frustrating, however, there are things that you can do to make this process go a little bit smoother. Try out these suggestions to help you simplify your homeowners insurance claim.

• Contact Your Agent ASAP

If your home sustains damage, one of the first things that you should do is notify your insurance provider. The faster you report the damage, the sooner you can jumpstart the claims process. This, in turn, will help the process proceed a little quicker. However, it's important to remember that you should only call your agent after making sure your family is safe, and after you have taken the necessary steps to prevent the damage from spreading.

• Take Pictures of the Damage

Another step that you can take to make your claims process a little easier is taking pictures of your home's damage. Try to snap as many photos of the damage from as many different angles as possible, and try to get a picture of the root cause of the damage (such as a fallen tree). These photos will help your claims adjuster get a better idea of the extent of your home's damage, and they could speed up the review process for your claim.

• Do Not Assign Benefits

When you call a contractor to make the necessary home repairs, they may ask you to sign an Assignment of Benefits form (AOB). Signing this form would give the contractor complete control over the claims process, including ownership of the insurance benefits. However, this is risky because an untrustworthy contractor could easily take the insurance pay out without making the repairs. So, if asked, decline to sign this form. Try out these tips to make your next homeowners insurance claim proceed a little more smoothly.  Do you have more questions regarding your home insurance?  Turn to the experts at Weeks & Associates Insurance Services in Thousand Oaks, California.  Our dedicated team is ready to assist you with all your insurance needs.  Contact us for more information today.