Home & Renters Insurance

Introduction to Home/Renters Insurance Home and Renters Insurance Shopper’s Guide Filing a Home Insurance Claim Personal Home Inventory

Consumers

Introduction to Home & Renters Insurance

What your policy covers

Homeowners

Your homeowner’s policy will combine these coverages:

Renters

Your renter’s policy insures household contents and personal belongings the same as a homeowner’s policy but excludes dwelling coverage.

Information You’ll Need to Get a Quote

To get an accurate quote, you will usually need this information:

Questions To Ask

What if you can’t find coverage?

If you cannot find a company that will insure your property, the Kansas FAIR Plan may accept your property.

The FAIR Plan (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) was created by the state of Kansas to insure property that insurance companies refuse to cover.

Things to know about the FAIR Plan

Approval in the Plan is not guaranteed. You do not have a guaranteed right to buy FAIR Plan coverage.

Homeowners and Renters Insurance Shopper’s Guide

Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, insurance offers protection for your investment. It helps you pay for repairs, rebuild your home, or replace personal belongings if disaster strikes. It also provides personal liability protection if an accident occurs on your property. View and download a copy of our Home and Renters Insurance Shopper’s Guide for more information.

Personal Home Inventory

The easiest way to determine your insurance needs is to take a complete inventory of your home’s contents or personal property and estimate their value. Download a copy of the Personal Home Inventory to help you decide if you need to increase the coverage of your personal property.

Filing a Home Insurance Claim

Most people will never file a claim under their homeowner’s policy. But if you have to file a claim, it is important to understand the claim process and your rights and responsibilities.

If You Have a Claim

Claim Time Frames

In Kansas, an insurance company has an obligation to investigate a filed claim, whether first or third party, within 30 days from when it was reported. If the insurance company needs additional time to conduct an investigation, it shall every 45 days thereafter send to the insured or claimant a letter setting forth the reasons additional time is needed to conclude the investigation. It is in the best interest of the company to investigate any loss promptly so that valuable evidence is not lost or destroyed. However, there are no provisions requiring a company to pay your claim within a certain period of time.

Contact the Kansas Department of Insurance

Talk to your insurance company or agent first, because many claim problems are resolved at this level. If you have tried unsuccessfully to resolve the problem with your insurance company or agent, please contact the Kansas Department of Insurance:

Should it be necessary to file a written complaint with the Kansas Department of Insurance, be sure to include the following information to speed processing of your inquiry:

While the Kansas Department of Insurance has recovered millions of dollars for Kansas consumers, the Department cannot force any insurance company to pay a claim if the company, in good faith, believes as a matter of law or fact that it does not owe the money in question. You may wish to hire legal counsel if a company persists in denying what you believe is a valid claim.

When do I need a lawyer and how do I find one?

See the Kansas Bar Association’s Kansas Lawyer Referral Service for information, or call 785-861-8838.

Kansas Department of Insurance 1300 SW Arrowhead Rd. Topeka, KS 66604 Phone: 785-296-3071 Consumer Hotline: 800-432-2484 Email: KDOI@ks.gov

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