Home insurers pocket $8.8M a day in investment income when claims are delayed, new analysis finds

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The cost of waiting

Even if insurers are juggling a growing number of claims, the financial pressure of waiting ultimately falls on homeowners.

That can be especially frustrating given how most homeowners already pay for coverage. The average U.S. homeowner pays about $2,844 a year for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage, according to Insurify, although premiums can vary widely depending on location, coverage limits and insurer.

And when a payout does not arrive quickly, homeowners may have little choice but to cover costs themselves in the meantime. Taylor said some may have to dip into savings or turn to credit cards to pay for repairs, temporary housing and other expenses.

Delays can also make the original damage more expensive. A relatively minor roof leak, for example, can spread into walls, ceilings and insulation if water continues getting in, potentially leading to mold and leaving homeowners on the hook for urgent repairs before their claim is resolved.

“You can lose financial progress you’ve spent years building, and there is also the lost interest or growth on the savings you’ve had to use,” she said.

Melanie Musson, an insurance and finance expert at Clearsurance.com, said homeowners may have little choice but to pay for urgent repairs themselves, especially if the damage has made their home unsafe or impossible to live in. That makes it important to stay involved in the claims process rather than assume it is moving along behind the scenes.

“The saying ‘the squeaky wheel gets the oil’ applies to homeowners making a claim. If things aren’t happening, reach out to the insurer,” she told Moneywise. “Don’t assume that they’re prioritizing your claim and will contact you when you need to do something or provide something.”

How homeowners can keep a claim moving

The best time to prepare for an insurance claim is before you ever need to file one.

Taylor recommends keeping a home inventory with photos, receipts and appraisals for valuable items and letting your insurer know about major renovations. Having that paperwork ready can make it much easier to show what you owned — and what you lost — after disaster strikes.

If a claim is already underway, documentation becomes even more important.

“You are your best advocate unless you have hired a professional advocate to represent you,” Taylor said.

And if the process seems to stall, don’t be afraid to push for answers. Taylor recommends starting with your insurance agent and, if necessary, escalating the claim to a manager at the insurance company. Homeowners who still aren’t getting answers can also file a complaint with their state’s department of insurance or insurance commissioner.

This article originally appeared on Moneywise.com under the title: Home insurers pocket $8.8M a day in investment income when claims are delayed, new analysis finds

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.