How to Get Your Mortgage Company to Release Insurance Proceeds?

Your lender will usually require you to purchase homeowners insurance when you purchase a home. This is because they have a financial stake in the property and must safeguard its value.

Therefore, if a tree or tornado destroys your home, your insurance company may send you and your lender a homeowners insurance claim check. This may come as a surprise and add additional steps and stress to an already challenging situation.*+

But what occurs if the lender holds the check? Here's how to convince your mortgage provider to release insurance proceeds.

Initially, Contact Your Lender

The steps necessary to get your mortgage lender to release your insurance proceeds can vary from lender to lender. The procedure may also depend on the amount of the claim check. Some lenders, for instance, take a different approach for claims exceeding or falling below a certain dollar amount.

Also, you may have questions about your home insurance claim check. Therefore, contacting the lender is the initial step in requesting that your mortgage company release the insurance proceeds.

A lender may provide an insurance claim check packet to guide accessing the funds. If not, take notes and ask questions to ensure that you comprehend the next steps.

And ensure your lender has your contact information. For instance, if your home is uninhabitable, you may have a temporary address and phone number. Provide your contact information to your lender to avoid communication delays.

Determine Whether the Payment is a Lump Sum or Installments

Typically, a property insurance claim payment is not a "one and done" situation. Unless the damage claims are minor, you will probably receive multiple checks.

The initial insurance payment is not final. Typically, it is an advance on the total settlement amount.

The adjuster may require additional time to inspect the property and determine the extent of the damage. Obtaining an initial payment can facilitate the commencement of necessary repairs.

Keep in mind that lenders may become more involved in the reconstruction process for larger claims. Your lender may establish an escrow account to deposit the proceeds. As contractor bids are received and construction progresses, the lender can release funds in increments.

Submit Requirements Documents

Before transferring insurance funds, your lender may require you to provide documentation. For example, your mortgage lender will probably require:

• The adjuster's report on the insurance claim
• Contractor estimates
• A repair declaration

A repair affidavit is similar to a promise you make to the lender that you will restore the home to its pre-damage condition.

Nevertheless, this is a legal document. Seeking the counsel of a real estate attorney before you sign the affidavit is suggested. The attorney can review it and explain the potential repercussions.

Your lender may have an online portal where you can upload the documents. Alternatively, you could deliver them to a local branch or send them via fax or mail.

Facilitate Repair Inspections.

Inspections are a common component of the reconstruction process. The number of inspections required can vary based on the extent of the damage to your home.

To expedite the process, facilitate the inspections as much as possible. This is how:

• Check on the status of repairs frequently.
• Make plans to be present for inspections.
• If problems are identified, a timeline for their resolution should be discussed.
• Attend any further inspections.

It is crucial to follow up on any issues that may arise. In addition to requiring ongoing inspections to monitor the progress of repairs, the lender may also need to approve the inspection report before releasing the next insurance payment.

Any delay could extend the timeframe before you can return home.

Request a Final Inspection to Receive Final Payment

Typically, the mortgage lender determines when to release the final payment. You will not wish to delay the final payment, whether the funds are going to you or the contractor.

However, you cannot conduct a final inspection until all repairs are complete or nearly so.

Contact your lender to schedule a final inspection when your home is close to completion. Even if your lender does not require it, make every effort to attend.

If you are present, you can address any potential problems and establish a timeline for their resolution.

After an inspector verifies that all repairs have been completed, the lender will issue a check for the remaining balance.