Reporting a Claim
Necessary Information to Report Your Claim
- Insured Name and Best Point of Contact
- Contact Phone Number(s) where you can be reached
- Property address where the damage occurred
- If an auto accident, name of insured driver and year, make and model of the vehicle(s) involved
- Your Insurance Company’s Name and Your Policy Number, if available
- A brief description of the damage suffered or the accident details, if an automobile loss occurred
Four Ways To Report Your Claim
- Report claim via Focus’ – Main Switchboard Emergency Line – 713-425-6700
- Email your claim to info@focusins.com Please be sure to reference “I Need to Report A Claim” in the subject line and include all the information noted above in the body of the email.
- Report your claim directly to your insurance company – phone numbers are provided below. Should your insurance company not be listed, you can find their contact information contained in your insurance policy.
- If you signed up for your insurance company’s App, you can use this app to report and track your claim.
Your Responsibility to Make Temporary, Emergency Repairs
To comply with the terms of the insurance policy you, as the Insured, are required to prevent from further damage. What this means to you, you are authorized to make necessary, temporary repairs to prevent the damage from spreading. This would include, but is not limited to, shutting off the main water line to the property, repairing broken pipes, water extraction to damaged property, debris clean up, drying out damaged property, and beginning the process of obtaining bids for repairs.
Do not make permanent repairs until such time as you have received authorization to do so by the insurance company adjuster. The adjuster may or may not request an inspection of the damage prior to authorizing repairs. If they require an inspection, please make yourself available to do so. They will have many properties to see, so any delays in scheduling will only delay your claim.
Before tearing out damaged property, removing or covering over damaged property or disposing of any debris, take pictures or video, if possible. Keep all damaged property until the adjuster sees it and approves of its disposal.
Cover any openings with a tarp or plastic to prevent additional water from entering the property and secure the premises.
If your loss is covered by the policy, reasonable costs for temporary repairs are covered, so be sure to keep all invoices and receipts.
Please make sure the adjuster is made aware of the extent of your damage when you speak to him or her.
Ask your adjuster:
- “What is the next step?”
- “What am I authorized to do?”
- “What is my responsibility?”
- “When can I move forward with my repairs?”
Make sure you write down the first and last name of any person you are speaking with regarding your claim. And most important, write down your claim number. You will need it for future reference.
If you need help with finding a contractor, ask the insurance company adjuster. They usually will have names of vetted contractors, should you not have one you prefer using.
