How Long Will My Claim Take?
Every claim is unique, and there are a lot of different things that could affect how long it takes to resolve your claim. Keep in mind that even though filing a claim is probably a rare event for you, our claims teams are made up of experienced professionals who work with issues similar to yours day in and day out. They'll always do their best to get your claim resolved efficiently. You can help your claim go smoothly by providing Allstate with all the information you can about the incident. Talk with your claims team to make sure you've given them all the documentation and details they need.

What's a Deductible?
Your deductible is the amount you've agreed to pay out of your pocket before Allstate pays for any covered losses. Here's an example. Say you have $2,000 worth of covered damage, and you picked a $500 deductible, applicable to that coverage, when you bought the policy. That means you pay $500, and your auto insurance pays the rest.

The Accident Wasn't My Fault. Will I Have to Pay My Deductible?
Regardless of who was at fault, you'll pay a deductible for certain coverage’s. However, during the claim investigation, if the facts indicate there's a chance to recover the damages from the person responsible for the accident, we'll attempt to recover them, including your deductible. If we aren't successful, you have the option of trying to recover the deductible on your own.

What Happens if My Vehicle Is Totaled?
The decision whether to repair or declare a vehicle a total loss is based on the type and the extent of damage, age of the vehicle, state law, and other factors. In order to make a decision, we will have to inspect your vehicle. If the repair estimate is more than the vehicle's worth, we will pay the actual cash value of the vehicle, up to the limits of the policy, minus your deductible.

What if the Repairs Are More Than the Estimate?
If you're working with a Priority Repair Option repair shop recommended by Allstate, then the process would be seamless. The shop would work directly with Allstate to address the additional damages. Should that not be the case, the shop should contact the appropriate Allstate insurance claims professional to discuss any additional loss-related damage.

Will My Insurance Premium Increase if I File a Claim?
Every policyholder's situation is unique, so depending on your circumstances, your premium may be affected. If you are concerned, don't hesitate to discuss with your agent. You may also want to ask them about other Allstate auto products that include things like an Accident Forgiveness feature which may help prevent your rates from going up just because of an accident, even if it's your fault.

Will My Premium Increase if I File a Claim?
If your claim causes you to lose a discount - such as the Allstate Claim Free Discount, then your premium will increase. You may also see an increase due to a claim surcharge, or if you've had one or more property claims. Your agent may be able to give you a better idea of how your claim might affect your premium.

Will My Policy Be Cancelled if I File a Claim?
Under some circumstances, as permitted by state law, we might cancel or non-renew a policy. This may occur, as an example, if the insured has filed multiple claims in a certain time period. Your agent may also be able to give you a better idea of how your claim might affect your status as an Allstate customer.

Will I Lose My Discount Due to My Claim?
Chances are, if you have an Allstate Claim Free discount, you may lose it after filing a qualifying claim. But, some other discounts, such as Allstate Auto and Home Discount, would most likely not be affected by your claim.
What Is a Deductible?
The deductible is the portion of a covered loss you pay before the insurance company becomes responsible for payment under the policy. For example, if the covered claim is $4,500 and your deductible is $500, you pay $500 and Allstate then pays the remainder: $4,000.

Why Do I Need to File a Claim? My Damages Are Probably not More Than My Deductible.
As an Allstate customer, you buy insurance to help protect you in case of a covered loss, so filing a claim could help protect you in case there are covered damages or injuries discovered later. Additionally, if you become involved in litigation because of a covered claim, your Allstate insurance could help you by providing legal counsel. By hesitating to file a claim you may run the risk of jeopardizing your coverage.

How Will I Know if I'm Being Sued; and What Should I Do?
If you receive a legal "Summons" or "Complaint," chances are you're being sued. You should call your Allstate claim representative and immediately forward your paperwork as directed. By hesitating, you may run the risk of jeopardizing your coverage.

I Need to File a Police Report for Damage or Theft?
Yes. The policy conditions state you must file a police report for theft.

What's a Public Adjuster and Do I Need to Hire One?
A public adjuster or solicitor may contact you shortly after a loss seeking to assist you in making a claim against Allstate. Public adjusters are independent claim adjusters and are not associated in any way with Allstate. For their services, public adjusters charge you a fee based on the total value of your settlement. These fees may be considerable and are not reimbursable under your Allstate policy. As an Allstate policy holder, you don't need to hire a public insurance adjuster to settle your insurance claim. An Allstate claim representative, experienced in making claim settlements, will tell you what paperwork is necessary to finalize your claim. Of course, the decision is yours to make.

What if the Facts Change or I Don't Have all the Information Needed to Report a Claim?
Remember you are going to be in contact with an Allstate claim representative throughout the claim handling process, so you'll have plenty of opportunity to provide additional information. What's most important is to report your claim as soon as possible even if you don't have all the information. The sooner you report your claim, the sooner we can start processing it. Remember you can contact your claim representative again if you find additional damage you hadn't noticed before.

What Will I Need to Show Proof of Ownership for Property Stolen From My Home?
Yes. Providing any of the following will help support your claim: receipts, owners manuals, warranty cards, appraisals, photographs or original manufacturers boxes.

Will My Claim Be Covered?
We can't answer this question without knowing some key facts: what coverages and limits you purchased, what caused the damage or loss and what property was damaged. Each loss is considered based on the unique facts of that loss. If you're registered with our Customer Care Center, you can familiarize yourself with your coverages by viewing your policy online. Once you refresh your memory about what you purchased, you can read through coverage explanations online, or talk with your claim representative or agent.

My Home Was Damaged During a Burglary. Is This Damage Covered?
Generally, a coverage called Dwelling Protection, would cover this situation. A claim representative will be able to explain to you what is covered under your policy.

My Home Is Not Safe to Live in Due to the Damage. Will My Insurance Cover the Cost for Temporary Living Arrangements?
If your policy has a coverage Additional Living Expenses and a direct physical loss we cover makes your home uninhabitable then your policy must pay for the reasonable increase in living expenses necessary to maintain your normal standard of living. Check your Allstate policy to see if you have coverage for Additional Living Expenses and what your limits are. A claim representative can assist you with these and other questions. Keep your receipts for additional living expenses during this time.

My Tree Fell on My Neighbor's House. Are the Damages to My Neighbor's House Covered Under My Policy?
You and your neighbor both should contact your own insurers to file a claim.

Does My Homeowner's Policy Cover Damage Caused by a Flood?
Your Allstate homeowners policy doesn't cover flood damage. However, if you purchased flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program, your damages may be covered.

A Natural Disaster Caused the Damage to My Property. Will My Claim Handled Differently?
If, after a natural disaster, the volume of claims reported at the one time is significant, we're likely to declare the losses a catastrophe. Here, we'll use specialized catastrophe adjusters and depending on the conditions, Allstate will advertise on local radio stations and may place banners around the affected area with specific instructions for getting help with your claim. In most cases, mobile response units will be on hand to offer further help. There is also a phone number, 1-800-54-STORM (1-800-547-8676), set up specifically for our customers during catastrophes. Our Catastrophe Information Site can provide you with additional resources.

Will the Workmanship of the Repairs to My Home Be Guaranteed?
For certain covered losses, Allstate may be able to refer a vendor to you. If you have the repairs completed through a contractor participating in the vendor referral program, the workmanship of the contractor will be guaranteed by the vendor for up to three years from the date the repairs are completed. (The guarantee is subject to specific terms and conditions.)

How Does a Catastrophe Claim Differ From a Regular Claim?
Following a catastrophe there is an increase in claim volume so the National Catastrophe Team (NCT) has created catastrophe specific claims processes. Some of these processes may include deploying catastrophe claim specialists and establishing remote catastrophe claims offices. If the catastrophe affects a large number of vehicles in a concentrated area, the NCT may also organize a "Mega Drive-In" so that adjusters can efficiently inspect a large number of damaged vehicles.

What Should I Do Immediately Following a Catastrophe?
We suggest that you do the following: • Protect yourself and your family. • Report your loss in one of the following ways: contact the Warren Gray Agency directly or call 1-800-54-STORM (1-800-547-8676). • If you purchased a policy with another company through the Warren Gray Agency, you should contact your agent or call 1-888-213-0085, option 6, for further information. • Protect your property from additional damages. Most of our homeowner’s policies have a reimbursement provision for reasonable and necessary temporary repair costs (up to a specified limit) that you incur while trying to protect your covered property from additional damage resulting from a covered loss. So please be sure to save these receipts for consideration of reimbursement. • Begin a room-by-room written inventory of the damages, including a detailed description of personal items that includes the manufacturer’s names, model numbers, purchase dates and purchase prices. (Do you have an up-to-date inventory and recent photographs of your personal possessions? If not, download our free home inventory pdf now and create an inventory of your personal possessions.)

What if My Home Is Unlivable?
Your policy may provide for Additional Living Expenses when your home is unlivable due to a covered loss. Ask your agent or catastrophe claims specialist if your policy has this provision.

How Long Will It Take to Complete My Claim?
The length of time it takes to complete the claims process depends on several factors. Although we deploy additional staff to catastrophe areas to handle the increased claim volume, there may be hundreds or even thousands of customers impacted; this, coupled with the complexity of your damages, availability of vendors, and safety issues contributes to the length of time it takes to settle your claim.

When Will Someone Inspect My Damage?
Your catastrophe claim specialist will contact you and determine if a damage inspection is needed or if your loss can be settled by phone. When an inspection is required we schedule an appointment as quickly as possible, but we usually schedule appointments for customers with the most extensive damages first.

Should I Wait Until an Allstate Adjuster Inspects the Damage Before Making Any Repairs?
Yes, you must wait to begin repairs until we have completed an inspection and properly assessed covered damages. However, you do not have to wait for Allstate to inspect your property or settle your loss to select a contractor who can repair the damage. If your damaged property requires immediate attention, consider making temporary repairs to prevent further loss. Most Allstate homeowners' policies have a reimbursement provision for reasonable and necessary temporary repair costs (up to a specified limit) that you incur while trying to protect your covered property from additional damage resulting from a covered loss. So please be sure to save these receipts for consideration of reimbursement.

Catastrophe Claim Specialists Recommend Contractors?
No, you decide how best to replace your personal property and to repair your home's damage. The Warren Gray Agency does not recommend contractors following a catastrophe since they are often overwhelmed by the number of properties needing repairs and may not be able to meet their normal service level.

How Do I Choose a Contractor?
Following are some suggestions to help you choose a reliable contractor: • Talk with friends or family members who have recently had satisfactory repair work completed. • Ask for contractor references and check them. • Get information about your contractor's work history from your local Better Business Bureau. • Discuss payment terms with your contractor before signing any contracts.

How Can I Check on the Status of My Claim?
To check the status of your claim, you can contact your adjuster, or you can call 1-800-54-STORM (1-800-547-8676) during regular business hours and speak with a catastrophe claim specialist. You also can view your claim status online if you've registered with the Customer Care Center and have access to it. To register for Customer Care Center access, you can call 1-800-255-7828 for quick access. You may register with limited access and provide less information, but you will not have immediate access to your claim's status. You'll then receive a Personal Activation Key (PAK) for accessing your claim information in the mail within 7-10 days.

What If My Contractor's Estimate Is Higher Than My Estimate?
If there are differences between your estimate and that of your contractor, provide your contractor with a copy of our estimate. You or your contractor should then immediately contact your catastrophe claim specialist to resolve the difference and make any necessary adjustments to the original estimate. These estimate adjustments are possible only when they are warranted and only for covered items. Although prices for labor and materials may vary from one area to another, we prepare your repair estimate using market prices for your area. If your contractor's charges exceed the local market price, you may be responsible for the additional charges.

What If Additional Damages Are Found During the Repair Process?
If additional damage is found during the repair process you must call your catastrophe claim specialist or 1-800-54-STORM (1-800-547-8676) immediately to report this. Your catastrophe claim specialist will determine if the damage needs to be re-inspected or if it can be resolved by phone with your contractor.

What If I Don't Agree With My Claim Representative's Estimate?
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, differences of opinion about an estimate occur. If you disagree with our damage evaluation, please call your claim specialist or 1-800-54-STORM (1-800-547-8676) to discuss the issue. In many instances we can resolve the differences by phone. If we cannot reach an agreement, your policy outlines an approach in the "Conditions" section under "Appraisal" that can help everyone agree on the loss amount. However, it does not apply to coverage disputes. We are committed to always settle claims fairly.

How Will My Personal Property Claim Be Settled?
If your loss involves personal property and your policy provides coverage for personal property damages that result from a covered loss, you will need to make a detailed description of damaged personal property including the manufacturers' names, model numbers, purchase dates and purchase prices. Your catastrophe claim specialist will determine the actual cash value of the property at the time of the loss.

Why Is There Depreciation Shown on the Estimate When I Have Replacement Cost Coverage (Personal Property Reimbursement Provision)?
If you purchased the Personal Property Reimbursement provision, the policy will pay to replace your covered personal property if it's damaged, destroyed or stolen, with new items of like quality. Although your damage estimate shows a depreciation amount, we will make an additional payment to reimburse you (in excess of the actual cash value and up to the replacement cost noted on your estimate) for the cost you incur for repairing, rebuilding or replacing your covered property. This is, of course, subject to the policy limits, coverage, conditions and exclusion provisions of your policy.

What Is a Deductible?
The deductible is the portion of a covered loss that you are responsible for under the policy. For example, if the covered loss is $4,500 and your deductible is $500, you pay the $500 and we pay the remaining $4,000.

When, and to Whom Do I Pay My Deductible?
Even though you receive a damage estimate from us, in most cases you would pay your deductible directly to the contractor once repairs are completed. Your damage estimate lists the total dollar amount of your covered loss, your deductible, any applicable depreciation and the amount we pay toward the loss.

When Can I Expect to Receive a Settlement Check?
In some cases, the adjuster will complete the estimate at the time of inspection and provide you with both the estimate and the check so you can quickly begin the repair process. However, in most instances the adjuster inspects the damage, prepares a repair estimate, and once we have approved and processed the estimate, we will mail a check and the estimate to you separately.

Why Does the Check I Receive Include the Name of My Mortgage Holder?
If you have a mortgage on your home, the mortgagee is usually named in your homeowner's policy. Most mortgagees require that their name is included on claim payment checks. You will need to contact your mortgagee to find out how to obtain their endorsement on the check.

What If I Have Questions About My Claim or Find Additional Damage After the Catastrophe Adjusters Are no Longer In My Area?
Although the Warren Gray Agency is committed to serving our customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-255-7828, the best time to reach a catastrophe claim specialist is during regular business hours at 1-800-54-STORM (1-800-547-8676).