Simple steps to file a catastrophe claim
This varies depending on your policy, but you can typically expect the following:
1.
File and track your claim
Track using the number you receive when you file your claim.
log in2.
Get your questions answered
One of our catastrophe claim team members will contact you with follow-up information.
3.
Damage assessment
The damage will be evaluated to determine all necessary repairs or replacements.
4.
Estimate review
Your adjuster will go over your estimate and settlement.
Helpful tips to tackle the claims process
- Start your claim online or through the Allstate® mobile app.
- Use MyClaim to edit contact information and add payment information for quick transactions.
- Separate damaged and undamaged personal belongings. If it’s unsafe to keep any damaged personal items, take photos or videos for your claims team to review, and then properly discard the items.
- If necessary, have a qualified repair service or contractor make temporary repairs to prevent additional loss. Be sure to keep the bill or invoice and give these to your claims team to consider as part of your claim Take plenty of photos before any repairs take place.
- Your home may be considered uninhabitable for reasons like no running water or your overall safety is at risk. Check with your claims team to see if you have coverage for additional living expenses.
- Save all receipts to document any increase in your expenses while your home is uninhabitable and give these to your claims team to consider as part of your claim.
You can also contact your agent or call 1-800-54-STORM for assistance.
Catastrophe Claims FAQs
This depends upon the severity of the damages, availability of professionals or contractors and any safety issues related to the situation.
First find out if your policy provides coverage for personal property damages that result from a covered loss. If it does, your claims team member may need detailed descriptions of damaged personal property with the brand names, model numbers, purchase dates, and purchase prices.
Your home may be considered uninhabitable for a variety of reasons like no running water, no electricity, no access to your home or your overall safety is at risk.
Your policy may provide for additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable due to a covered loss. This is for the reasonable increase in living expenses necessary to maintain your normal standard of living and may include:
- Hotels or temporary housing.
- Food and restaurant bills above your typical food costs.
- Additional mileage for longer commute to work.
Your claims team member will contact you and determine if a damage inspection is needed. If it is, an appointment will be scheduled as quickly as possible.
Most policies cover reasonable and necessary temporary repair costs (up to a specified limit) you incur trying to protect your property from additional related damage. If you do make any temporary repairs, document your loss with photos and videos before the repairs and save the receipts.
Aside from temporary repairs to protect your property from additional damage, the inspection needs to happen before you begin any repairs that you want covered.
During large weather events, finding a contractor can be a challenge. Contact one of our Good Hands® Repair Network vendors or use the Better Business Bureau to see local contractors and their ratings. Check out our tips for hiring a home repair contractor here.
Contact your claims team member immediately to report the damages. You can send a message with MyClaim or email the claims department at Claims@Claims.Allstate.com with your claim number in the subject line. We’ll let you know if the damage needs to be re-inspected or may work directly with your contractor to address the damage.
If you purchased the personal property reimbursement provision, the policy will pay to replace your covered personal property with new items of similar quality if it's damaged, destroyed or stolen. Although your damage estimate shows a depreciation amount, Allstate will make an additional payment to reimburse you for the cost of repairing, rebuilding or replacing your covered property, once receipts and invoices are received. This is subject to the policy limits, coverage, conditions and exclusion provisions of your policy, as well as any applicable state laws.
Reach out to your claim contact to address your concerns and we will do our best to find a fair solution.
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 Allstate pays the remaining $4,000, or up to your limit.
In most cases, you will 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, the amount Allstate pays toward the loss and any applicable depreciation, or loss of value, over time.
Usually the adjuster inspects the damage, prepares a repair estimate and will contact you once we have an approved and processed estimate. In some cases the adjuster will complete the estimate at the time of inspection and provide you with both the estimate and payment so you can start repairs. Electronic payments are also available.
If you have a mortgage on your home, the mortgagee (usually a bank) is usually named on your homeowners policy. Most mortgagees require that their name is included on claim payment checks over a specified amount. Contact your mortgagee to find out how to get their endorsement on the check.
Mobile claims centers (CAT)
Support that meets you where you are
Allstate Mobile Claims Centers are conveniently placed in areas most affected to help you take those first steps towards recovery. Stop in anytime to speak with an adjuster, file a claim and even pick up a bottle of water or a teddy bear for a child who could use some comfort.
find a mobile claims centerFile or track
Go online to report your claim. Use My Account to get claim details, register for electronic payments, upload documents and connect with your claims team.
You can also report your claim at 1-800-547-8676 or visit your Allstate agent.
More resources
Get the right support to start recovering
Visit The Disaster Help Center for resources to help you deal with severe weather and get help as you start moving forward.
Disaster Help CenterGet the financial help you need
Find out more about special loans and grants with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration, the American Red Cross, local government agencies, private lenders and charitable organizations.
To apply for federal disaster aid, visit the FEMA website or call 1-800-462-9029 (or 1-800-462-7585 for TDD). Be ready with the following information:
- social security number
- insurance information
- information about the extent of the damage to your property
Be sure to find out the control number assigned to your application.