Claims FAQs

How do I report a claim?

To report a new claim, visit this page or call our claims team at (800) 293-2532.

FedNat is committed to providing fair, expedient, and personalized claims handling to all of our customers. We have full-time licensed adjusters on staff, an experienced customer service team, and 24 hours a day, 365 days a year claims reporting no matter your location. All of our adjusters and customer service representatives are trained to guide our customers through the claims process and bring their property back to pre-loss condition as quickly and fairly as possible.

What should I do in the event of a loss?

File your claim as soon as possible. Filing your claim early allows our experienced adjusters to assess your damages and ensure your home doesn’t experience further damage. Our Call Center is fully prepared to immediately address your needs based on the nature of your loss. You may report your claim by phone at (800) 293-2532 or online at FedNat.com.

Protect your property against further damage. If it is safe to do so, make temporary repairs and keep receipts for any repairs to be considered for reimbursement. Please do not make permanent repairs until the adjuster has had a chance to inspect the damage. It is also beneficial to take pictures of the damaged property before starting any temporary repairs. If water damage of any kind has occurred, the first step is to stop the flow of water and dry out your home.

If you have a water loss we can connect you with a reputable water extraction company. Our extensive network of preferred contractors are experts in their field, licensed and bonded, and have the proper equipment and experience to detect unseen moisture levels and completely dry out your home. You may find a list of our preferred contractors in your area at FedNat.com.

Take photographs of the damage. Our field adjuster will take photographs during the inspection of your damaged property. However, any photographs you take are beneficial as they may assist the internal adjuster assess the extent of damage. It is also a good practice to keep your own records of the damage.

Do not discard damaged property; Our adjusters need to examine all damaged property to fully estimate your loss.

In the event of a theft, notify the police; Report to the police all items that have been stolen.

Maintain receipts of any expenses incurred that are to be considered for reimbursement by your assigned adjuster.

Make a list of personal property that was damaged. A detailed list will help make sure nothing is overlooked. If possible, include the manufacturer, any model numbers, and place and date of purchase.

If I filed a claim and need emergency services, who should I call?

To report a new claim, visit this page or call our claims team at (800) 293-2532.

During the process of reporting your claim, our First Notice of Loss agent will assess the need for emergency services. If needed, our agent can connect you with one of our Preferred Contractors so they may begin emergency services. If you have a water loss, we we can connect you with a reputable water extraction company. Our extensive network of preferred contractors are experts in their field, licensed and bonded, and have the proper equipment and experience to detect unseen moisture levels and completely dry out your home.

If, after your initial reporting of the claim, you discover you need emergency services, please see our list of Preferred Contractors in your area at FedNat.com.

How do I know if I need emergency services?

There are various types of emergency services we may assist with including, but not limited to, boarding up openings to your home caused by a theft or burglary, smoke or soot remediation caused by a fire, and water extraction services.

Every situation is different, and the need for emergency services will vary. Our experienced staff will assist you with making this determination. Beginning when you report the claim, our First Notice of Loss agents will ask questions relating to your loss and damages. Based on the type of loss and the extent of damages, if there is a possibility that emergency services are needed, we can connect you with one of our Preferred Contractors.

Early identification and mitigation of your damages can greatly affect the extent of damage you ultimately experience. It is especially important that water damage is identified as soon as possible and water extraction is completed immediately. The extent of damage may be difficult or impossible to visibly see, as water damage may be hidden within walls and flooring. Our extensive network of Preferred Contractors are experts in their field, licensed and bonded, and have the proper equipment and experience to detect unseen moisture levels and completely dry out your home.

What happens after my claim is filed?

How do I know if my damages are covered?

No two losses are the same. Each loss, no matter how small or large, needs to be fairly and accurately examined. Your assigned field and internal desk adjuster will work together to assess your damages, identify the cause of your loss, and determine if the loss is covered under your policy. Please contact your internal desk adjuster or our Customer Service department for any claims specific questions you may have.

When can I begin my repairs?

Only you can authorize repairs to your home. It is recommended that you should begin repairs once we provide you with a coverage determination and estimate. This helps ensure you do not incur unexpected out of pocket expenses. When hiring any contractors, please make sure to thoroughly read all contracts and have a clear understanding of all the language and provisions prior to signing anything. Some documents you may be asked to sign, such as an Assignment of Benefits, affect your rights and could potentially transfer your rights under your insurance policy to another party.

What should I do if the estimate I received from my contractor is higher than the settlement amount provided by FedNat?

Contact your assigned internal adjuster before your contractor begins the work, and submit the contractor’s estimate for the adjuster’s review. The adjuster will review your contractor’s estimate to determine if any additional payments are warranted, and may request a re-inspection of your damaged property. We will work with your contractor to ensure your home is repaired to its pre-loss condition.

What is an Assignment of Benefits (AOB)?

An Assignment of Benefits (AOB) is a contract between you and a contractor (such as a plumber, water remediation firm, roofer, etc.) where you give the contractor control of your claims benefits. They file a claim for their services and direct the insurance company to pay them directly.

What’s in it for the contractor?

Once you sign an AOB, you lose control of the direction of your claim. The contractor takes control, and can submit whatever they like to your insurance company, sometimes billing the company two, three, four, five times going market rate for their services, and sometimes including work that was never performed. You don’t see this, and you can’t verify what they did.

What are the potential pitfalls in signing an AOB?

You have committed to this contractor, and you have little to no recourse if you’re not satisfied with their work.
You can no longer comparison shop if you are not satisfied with their work.
Even if they walk off the job with their work incomplete, they can still claim compensation from the insurance company which gets deducted from your benefits.
Both you, and the contractor, are still bound by the terms and conditions of the policy, and if the contractor violates those terms and conditions, those actions could potentially jeopardize coverage for your entire loss.

Other things to look for:
This is where the age old mantra of “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” comes into play. Has the contractor done any of the following?

Solicits a job from you unannounced for damages you didn’t even know were allegedly present?
The contractor is offering you something for nothing, such as a free roof or kitchen
Wants to start work immediately and advises you to delay contacting your insurance company?
Offered to “take care of” your deductible.

Any of these issues could potentially lead to an insurance fraud investigation which could jeopardize your coverage.

Possible Litigation:
As mentioned above, there is no standard for what the contractor can submit to the insurance company, and if the company questions the scope and/or the pricing submitted by the contractor the company can be sued directly by the contractor. And while you may not be a party to this lawsuit, more insurance likely than not you will end up being a witness.

What should you do if you have a claim?

Call us at (800) 293-2532
We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
We will immediately dispatch a reputable contractor to assist with any emergency needs you may have. Then, once you have the loss under control, you can make an informed and well-reasoned decision as to how you wish to proceed to ensure that your home is brought back to its pre-loss condition.

Storm Readiness

We at FedNat are here to assist you in times of need, especially in the event of a hurricane. We have prepared this guide to assist you both before and after an approaching storm.

At The Start of Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30, with the most active months being August, September and October. It’s a great idea to review your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure you are adequately protected in the event of a storm. If you have a firm answer for the following questions, you should be well protected. As always, if you have any questions about coverages call you agent, or reach out to our Underwriting department directly.

Is your coverage up to date?
Verify that the coverages on your Dec Page accurately reflect the value of your home. If you have made any upgrades to your home, such as an addition or a remodeled kitchen or bathroom, you should contact your agent and make sure your coverage is adequate.
Do you have coverage for Additional Living Expenses (ALE)?
This coverage, ALE, will assist you by reimbursing you for unexpected costs of living away from your home in the event that it is uninhabitable as a result of a covered loss. This may include food and lodging. You should verify that you have this coverage, and if not, contact your agent.
Are you covered in the event of flooding?
Most homeowners’ policies do not cover flood damage. Even if you don’t live in a high risk flood zone, you may want to consider asking your agent if this is a good idea. Just know that there is a thirty day waiting period to purchase a flood policy, so don’t wait until a storm is approaching to make this determination.
Are your personal possessions and valuables adequately covered?
Most policies contain special sub-limits for you contents for items like electronics, jewelry, cash, furniture, clothing and other items. You should review these sub-limits and make sure that you are comfortable with these limits. If you need more coverage, contact your agent and they can give you pricing.
You should also consider preparing an inventory of your possessions in the event they are lost or damaged beyond repair. Going from room to room videotaping items is a good idea. Also keep a log of the make and models all your electronics, computer equipment, and other fragile valuable.

There are a number of things you can do at the start of Hurricane Season to make sure your home is protected. These include:

Make sure your hurricane shutters are in good working order, and organized for speedy set up.
Examine your trees and landscaping to prevent them from becoming hazards. Remove dead trees, plants, or branches. Consider having limbs on thick trees cut back and thinned.
Locate a garage or carpark on higher ground where your vehicles will be safe in the event of flooding.

What should you do if a storm is approaching?

Secure your home by putting up your hurricane shutters and removing any outside fixtures such as antennas, wind vanes, and/or turbine fans on your roof.
Any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations, hanging plants, trash cans, or anything else that can be turned into a wind driven missile should either be brought inside or anchored to the ground.
Take video of the interior and exterior of house including belongs
Inventory contents with your FedNat Inventory Worksheet and/or photos
Charge cell phones
Have numbers for power, gas, police and fire.
Make sure your vehicles have full tanks of gas.
Have a supply of emergency cash.
Fill all your propane tanks.
Set your refrigerator to its coldest setting.
Fill a clean bath tub with fresh water.

What supplies should I have on hand?

A five day supply of fresh water, as well as non-perishable food for you and any pets in the home.
Make sure you have an adequate amount of any prescription medication, including eye glasses and/or disposable contact lenses.
A first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, tape, and pain relievers.
Several flashlights with extra batteries.
Personal hygiene items such as toilet paper, tooth brushes, and tooth paste.
Any special items you may need for infants, elderly or disabled residents.
Coolers. You’ll want at least one for food and one for ice.
Paper towels, disposable plates and utensils.
Mosquito repellent.
A heavy plastic tarp for roof or window repair.
Plastic trash bags.

What do I need to know in case I have to evacuate?

Prior to Hurricane Season, make sure you have a plan in place in case you need to evacuate your home. Make sure everyone in the household understands, and knows, the plan. Your plan should include:

The best evacuation route. Keep this on a regular map in your car. Don’t rely on your phone or GPS.
Make sure you have adequate transportation.
Make a plan for your pets. Some shelters and hotels will not allow you to bring your pets.
Have a reliable contact person out of the area. If a member of your household gets separated from you, that is the person they should call. Make sure your contact person knows that they have been designated for this responsibility.
Gather and keep safe important paperwork, such as passports, insurance information, driver’s license, etc.

Print your own FedNat Hurricane Prep Checklist! FedNat encourages our family of Insureds to always stay alert and prepared. We hope these helpful tips and tools help you ensure that you and your families remain safe during a Storm and during Hurricane Season.

GO PAPERLESS