Filing a Claim
Read your policy. Your policy is your guide to the types of losses that may or may not be covered. How
often you file a claim and the types of claims you file often affect your premium and whether your
insurer will renew your policy.
If the cost to repair the damage is not much more than your deductible, you might want to pay for the
repairs without filing a claim.
To file a claim, contact your insurance agent or company as soon as possible. Ask about forms or
documents you’ll need to support your claim. You are also required to protect your home from further
damage. For example, you might need to board it up or clean up water from a backed-up drain.
The insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to assess the damage and determine the payment.
These adjusters may be employees of the company or independent contractors. You should cooperate
with the adjuster’s investigation of your claim.
The adjuster will probably want to meet with you at your house to inspect the damage. Jot down notes
and keep track of the dates of any conversations you have with your insurance agent or adjuster.
If there are disagreements between you, the insurer and the claims adjuster, first try to resolve them
with your insurer. Don’t feel rushed or pushed to agree with something you aren’t comfortable with. It
might help to have your contractor meet with you and the insurance adjuster.
If you and the insurer still disagree about the value of the claim, review the appraisal provision in your
policy. It is a simplified procedure to resolve disagreements about the value of a property damage claim.
If you have trouble with or questions about your claim, you also may contact the Bureau of Insurance
for help. The Bureau of Insurance has consumer services personnel who can help you work with your
insurer to resolve disagreements.
Losing Your Insurance
There’s a difference between an insurance company cancelling your policy and not renewing it.
Cancellation means either you or your insurance company stop the coverage before the policy’s normal
expiration date (a homeowners policy term is normally one year). You can always cancel your policy for
any reason. When you’re a new policyholder, there’s a limited period of time (90 days for your primary
residence/120 days for a seasonal home) in which your insurance company can cancel your policy for
any reason. After that, it can only cancel you for specific reasons permitted by law, such as nonpayment
of premium, failure to comply with loss control recommendations, and the property being vacant without
custodial care. The cancellation reasons must be stated in your policy.
Your insurance company must give you at least 10 days’ notice before cancellation due to nonpayment
of premium, and at least 20 days’ notice for other reasons. If you request to cancel your policy, the
insurer may refund less than the total unearned premium amount. If the insurer cancels, the total
unearned premium should be refunded.
Non-renewal means the company refuses to renew your policy when it expires. In Maine, the insurance
company has the right to not renew your policy if its reason is an allowed cancellation reason or another
reason that must be in good faith and related to the insurability of your property. For example, the
home is no longer owner-occupied or the roof is in poor condition. If your company chooses not to
renew your policy, it must give you at least 30 days’ notice before the expiration date and clearly state
the reason for the nonrenewal in the notice.
If your policy is canceled after the initial 90-day underwriting period has ended, or if your policy is not
renewed, you can appeal that action by contacting the Bureau of Insurance and requesting a hearing.
Your request must be made within 30 days of receiving the cancellation or nonrenewal notice. Even if
you think the company may change its mind and continue your coverage, request the hearing to
preserve your rights. The hearing can always be cancelled.