Insurance can be a funny form of expenditure. Homeowners will constantly be hoping that a claim never has to be made because that means that items have been broken, the house has been subject to a break-in, or a devastating event such as flooding or fire has occurred. However, without such house insurance, personal financial losses can be huge, and such products offer a way to protect against any bills incurred.

Many insurance companies will offer discounts and reductions on monthly building insurance or content cover if homeowners take appropriate steps to reduce the possibility of making a claim. Whilst you can never completely eradicate all risk, preventative steps can be taken. These are noted by the insurer, with your risk level falling and hopefully your premium rates too.

For protecting against theft, burglar alarms can be installed as a first defence against break-ins. Meanwhile motion detecting lights can often deter would-be thieves, whilst window locks and additional door security will also help. Vigilance is also key, and it is important for people to remember to shut windows and alert each other to suspicious activity.

Elsewhere there are also steps that can be taken to reduce the possibility of a damaging event such as a fire or flood. Fire alarms should be installed across a house as a means to alert families to flames as soon as they appear. Meanwhile insulation on plumbing can prevent burst pipes during colder months, whilst ensuring garden structures such as greenhouses and sheds are fixed down securely will prevent gales causing damage.

Taking measures to prevent making house insurance claims is important, not just in an attempt to get cheaper premiums, but to avoid the stress and emotional turmoil that can come with such circumstances. And by protecting your home both financially and physically, the worry of damage will play on your mind significantly less.

While individual claims vary, when it comes to making a home insurance claim, there are a few basic steps that serve as a guideline for making the process as easy as possible.

1.    First and most importantly, check your policy documents to ensure that your claim is covered. If in doubt, contact your insurer.

2.    Timeliness is important, so send in a claims form as quickly as possible, along with any estimates for repair and/or replacement costs. If there is a delay in getting quotations, go ahead and send in the form and provide the estimates when available.

3.    Be sure to keep all of the damaged items, because it is highly likely that your insurer will want to see them. If you have any emergency repairs done, keep your receipts, as they may form part of the claim.

4.    If the home insurance claim is a substantial one, your insurer will probably send out a loss adjuster to review the situation. The loss adjuster will take a look at the claim, both from an individual item standpoint and as a whole. Remember, the loss adjuster is not impartial; he/she works for the insurance company and has their best interest at heart.

5.    If your claim is substantial, you have the right to hire your own loss assessor. Unlike the loss adjuster, the loss assessor works on your behalf. Generally they are paid on a commission basis and will deal directly with the insurance company on your behalf.