Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

Why was the claims payout for my personal property so low?

I live in Texas and have a flood insurance policy. My personal property was damaged during a flood recently. I had to submit a claim to my insurance, but the payout was a lot lower than I expected. Why is that?

avatar
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Personal property is subject to replacement at actual cash value with a flood policy. In all likelihood, this is the reason your payout is lower than expected.
The actual cash value is the cost of an item minus depreciation. That means if something is a few years old, it isn’t worth the same amount you purchased it for.
Having a flood insurance policy in
Texas
that protects your personal property is important, especially since the state is prone to floods and other disasters. That said, it’s completely understandable to be frustrated if you’re expecting a larger payout than what you receive.
If you’re still unsure why your payout is lower, reach out to your insurance company. An agent or a claim adjuster can clarify the details of your payout. If you haven’t accepted the payout or settlement yet, you could try to negotiate with them, as well.
Since insurance often increases after submitting a claim, you may want to shop around. Look to
Jerry
for help. Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that can find you the best home and auto insurance policies in seconds—for free!”
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings