Home liability insurance provides financial protection to property owners. If someone visits your home, suffers an injury, and needs medical care, the policy helps pay for those costs.
However, not everyone is honest. If you suspect someone is not being honest about a claim, you should report it. Doing so can help protect your home insurance rates. There may be a few things you can do. The key here is to ensure you involve the right people in the process.
What Evidence Do You Have?
Just suspecting someone is being dishonest is not enough. If you report home insurance fraud, you will need evidence to prove your claim. For example, you may have home security footage showing someone did not fall on your property. This can work in your favor. Whenever you have such evidence, report it to your insurance agent.
If you suspect insurance fraud for any reason, contact your insurer. Your agent will work to determine the best way to handle the situation. This may include requiring the party filing the claim to produce more evidence. It may involve the police if the fraud is significant.
Insurance fraud carries a penalty. The person committing the fraud could face significant fines, probation and community service. In larger classes, individuals could spend time in jail. This does not impact you, as the homeowner. If the claim becomes criminal, you may have to testify in court regarding what you know.
The Good News to Know
Most home insurance agents have the training to spot and deal with insurance fraud. They know what it is, who is most likely to claim it, and how to avoid it.
More so, if your case goes to trial, you have a defense attorney to help you. In liability claims, your policy likely provides you with an attorney. This professional will work to support your claims. He or she is also working to reduce claims against the insurer.
You should not stay quiet if a person files a false claim on your home insurance policy. Doing so puts you at risk. You may be a suspect accomplice in some cases. In other situations, your rates may rise due to the claim. Don't let yourself become an unwilling participant in a crime. Report any information you have to your insurance agent. He or she will handle verifying the fraud or the accuracy of the claim.
Want to learn more about Downingtown homeowners insurance? Miller's Insurance Agency can help. Contact us today!