Why does my policy have more than one deductible?

A policy commonly carries a flat deductible for most claims and a separate percentage-based wind and hail deductible in storm-exposed states like Georgia.

Does my own insurance cover me when I stay in an Airbnb or VRBO?

The host's short-term rental policy protects the host, not you. As an Airbnb or VRBO guest, your own homeowners or renters insurance usually covers your belongings and personal liability away from home, within policy limits, while travel insurance covers trip-specific risks neither the host nor your home policy will.

Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

No. Standard homeowners policies exclude all flood damage regardless of cause.

What does uninsured motorist coverage do?

If you are hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills.

When do we use Selective for flood coverage versus NFIP?

Selective private flood wins for Zone X and moderate AE properties where it beats NFIP on price and offers higher limits with ALE coverage.

How long does an insurer have to acknowledge a claim in Alabama?

All FAQs

Quick answer: In Alabama, an insurer must acknowledge receipt of a first-party claim within 15 calendar days of being notified, unless it pays the claim within that time (Ala. Admin. Code r. 482-1-125-.06(1)).

Alabama gives insurers a firm deadline for the first step in handling your claim: telling you they got it.

What exactly does "acknowledge" require?

Under Ala. Admin. Code r. 482-1-125-.06(1), an insurer must acknowledge receipt of a first-party claim within 15 calendar days of being notified, unless it pays the claim within that same 15 days. Acknowledgment means the insurer confirms it has your claim on file and, in practice, opens a claim number so you have something to reference in every later call or letter.

Does the 15-day clock start when the loss happens or when I report it?

It starts on notification, the date you actually tell the insurer about the loss, not the date the damage occurred. A homeowner whose roof is damaged in a storm on a Friday but who does not call the insurer until the following Wednesday starts the 15-day clock on Wednesday.

What if 15 days pass and I have not heard anything?

Send a written follow-up referencing the regulation and keep a copy. See the full acknowledgment timeline guide for the exact next steps, including when a missed deadline is worth a complaint to the Alabama Department of Insurance.

What does this look like in practice?

A Huntsville homeowner discovers a burst pipe on a Monday and calls their insurer the same day. Under the 15-day rule, the insurer must acknowledge that claim, assign a claim number, and confirm an adjuster contact by the Monday three weeks later at the latest. If the homeowner instead waits two weeks to report the leak, the 15-day window does not start until that later report, since the clock runs from notification, not from the date the pipe actually burst.