Homeowners

First Steps

First, call us as soon as possible to report your claim at (800) 332-3226.

Our customer care professionals areready to answer your questions and guide you through the claims process 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Resources

Explore the topics below for advice on what to do next and how to prevent additional damage.

• I have damage to my property—what now?
• Will my loss be covered?
• Do I need to protect my home from further damage?
• Can I use my own contractor or professional fire-restoration cleaning service?
• How does payment for my damages work?
• What is a deductible?
• What is depreciation?
• To whom do I pay my deductible?
• What should I do if my home has water damage?
• What do I need to do if I cannot live in my home?
• What should I do if my home has been broken into?
• What should I do if my home has fire damage?

To learn more, read our Property Claims FAQ [PDF] and Property Loss of Use Claims Questions. [PDF]

I have damage to my property—what now?

The first thing to do is to call us to report your claim at (800) 332-3226. It is helpful if you can tell us:

• When the incident occurred
• A general description of what happened
• The location of the damaged property and what was damaged
• The condition of the home and if it is still livable
• If temporary repairs are needed
• The extent of any injuries of those involved in the incident
• If the fire or police department was contacted, which department responded and any report number
• Your contact information and the best time to be contacted

Will my loss be covered?

Your claims representative will answer this question. We will investigate what happened, what caused the damage, and why it happened. Based on the investigation, your claims representative will review the specific coverage you purchased to determine if we cover the claim.

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Do I need to protect my home from further damage?

Yes, once it is safe to do so, it is your responsibility to protect your property from further damage.

Arrange for reasonable temporary repairs such as boarding up broken windows, covering the roof, and removing debris.

If possible, place damaged items in a secure area where they can be inspected. If you are unsure about an item, include it with the damaged property.

If you have fire or smoke damage, do not try to clean the damaged items. Sometimes cleaning things without the proper equipment can cause further damage.

Keep a list of any temporary repairs you make to document the damage, and make sure to save your receipts.

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Can I use my own contractor or professional fire-restoration cleaning service?

The choice of a contractor or professional cleaning service is yours. Your claims representative may be able to assist you.

How does payment for my damages work?

If you have a mortgage on your home, payments for repairs may be made payable to you and the mortgage lender.

Any advance payments will be applied to the total settlement amount.

Your deductible and any applicable depreciation will be deducted from the amount of your loss up to the limit of your policy.

What is a deductible?

A deductible is the amount of a covered loss that you agree to pay when you purchase your policy.

What is depreciation?

Depreciation is an allowance made for loss in value of property.

To whom do I pay my deductible?

In most cases, you will pay your deductible to the contractor who does the repairs.

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What should I do if my home has water damage?

Left untreated, water can do significant damage, particularly if it seeps into the sub-floor or other areas. Here are some things you can do:

• If the water is still leaking, identify the source and stop it if you can
• If the water is coming from a burst or leaking pipe, turn off the water at the source
• If water is coming in through the roof or broken windows, try to cover them to prevent additional damage

Who Can Repair My Water Damage?
After reporting your claim you can use the water mitigation supplier of your choice, including SERVPRO, Safeco’s preferred water mitigation supplier.

Why Choose SERVPRO?
The benefits of choosing SERVPRO include:

• Convenience — Call center and emergency services are available 24/7/365.
• Access – SERVPRO has 1350 locations across the USA.
• Guarantees — Water mitigation services with SERVPRO are backed by a national warranty.
• Quality — Water mitigation techniques meet industry professional standards.
• Price — SERVPRO has agreed to complete work at pre-negotiated rates so any discounts will be passed on to you as a Safeco customer.
• Speed — SERVPRO has agreed to contact you within 1 hour of reporting your claim and be on site within 4 hours.

If you use a service other than SERVPRO to mitigate your water damage, please remember to save your receipt. Our customer care professional can help if you are uncertain about who to call.

To protect your belongings from additional damage:

• Move wet items to drier areas
• Place aluminum foil, coasters, or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting
• Save damaged items and any parts you may need to replace—your claims representative may want to inspect them
• Do not use electrical equipment or appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors
• Keep a list of temporary repairs you make to document the damage
• Make sure to save your receipts

Learn more about how to prevent water damage in your home.

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What do I need to do if I cannot live in my home?

If your home is unsafe and you cannot live there, your claims representative can help you find temporary housing, and explain your policy coverage for additional living expenses. If you need to purchase clothing or other necessities immediately, your claims representative may be able to give you an advance against the total settlement amount of your claim. Make sure to keep receipts of all expenses. Learn more [PDF].

What should I do if my home has been broken into?

Make safety your first priority. Contact your local law-enforcement agency immediately to file a report. Include a description of all missing items.

You should also do what you can to make your home safe. Board up any broken windows or doors. Fix your locks to prevent additional damage. If you're not sure it's safe, professionals can help. You will usually find them listed under "contractors" or "locks and locksmiths" in your telephone directory. Make sure to save your receipts for any temporary repairs.

Your claims representative will ask you for a list of missing items, along with receipts for those items. Owners' manuals, canceled checks, photographs of the items, and credit card bills can help document your losses.

What should I do if my home has fire damage?

Make safety your first priority. When you return to survey your property, remember there may be broken glass and sharp objects.

Your claims representative will ask you for a list of items that were damaged by the fire. Document the damage with photos, video, bills, and receipts. Keep all damaged items until a Safeco representative advises you to do otherwise.

Do not try to clean fire-damaged items until a qualified restoration service evaluates the damage. Without the proper equipment, some cleaning processes can cause additional damage.

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