What to Expect from the Claims Process
Filing an insurance claim is the last thing you want to think about when dealing with damage, loss, and overall disruption to your everyday life. But getting started is the first step toward getting your life back on track.
Understanding the claims process — and what happens after you file one — can take away some of the mystery and stress, whether you’re dealing with storm damage or a car accident.
Bellville Agent Tanya Jackson shares what to expect when you file a claim with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, from how to file to helpful tips along the way.
How to File a Claim
There are a few different ways for Texas Farm Bureau members to file a claim:
- Call your Agent.
- Call the Waco Claims Office at between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday–Friday.
- Call the Claims Reporting Center at 1.800.266.5458.
- Start a claim through the Texas Farm Bureau Insurance .
- File a claim online.
Tips for Filing a Claim
No matter what type of claim you’re filing, these tried-and-true tips can help.
Minimize damage when possible. Your well-being is top priority. Once you’re safe, evaluate what you can do to lessen the damage. If you’re dealing with a roof leak after a storm, secure the area with a tarp. Or, if possible, pull your vehicle to a safe area after a fender bender.
Document everything. “The best thing to do is take pictures, take videos,” Jackson says. For vehicle accidents, also gather dash camera videos, police reports, and other drivers’ ID cards and contact information, when available. “Any sort of documentation you can have that will paint a clear picture to the adjuster and so they will know exactly what happened [can help],” Jackson says.
Communication matters. Be ready to answer your adjuster’s questions. Reach out to your Agent if you need help. They can walk you through the claims process and answer your questions.
Tips for Working with an Adjuster
Working with an adjuster is a common part of the claims process. Here’s how to help it go smoothly.
- Write down the adjuster’s name, phone number, and email address.
- Answer the adjuster’s questions as soon as you can. “The faster you reply to them, the faster they will get back with you,” Jackson says. If you’re having trouble connecting with your adjuster, reach out to your Agent.
- Be available when they visit, so you can point out the damage.
- Make a list of what the adjuster or company needs from you.
With Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, the claims process can be broken down into four easy steps. Here’s what you can expect after filing a claim.
Step 1
An assigned adjuster will review your policy and its coverages to determine what types of damages are covered. Typically, adjusters have to reach out to you, Jackson says.
Step 2
A Texas Farm Bureau Insurance representative will reach out. They’ll ask what happened in the accident or what caused damage to your property.
Step 3
An adjuster will inspect the damaged property and provide an estimate for the damages.
Step 4
Once your deductible is paid, you’ll be paid for your property’s damages.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Bellville was pelted by a hailstorm in March 2024, leaving trees down and the power out. Most residents experienced some kind of damage.
In response, Texas Farm Bureau Insurance set up a local clinic where policyholders could come in person for one-on-one, real-time help. (Texas Farm Bureau typically does this when there’s a large weather event with substantial damage, Jackson says.) The clinic — staffed with adjusters who’d traveled from across the state to help — moved fairly quickly, helping five or six people at a time. “Within about 30 minutes, people were walking out with a check,” Jackson says.
Take a closer look at five common types of property claims in Texas.
