About one in 20 insured homes has a claim each year, with the average claim totaling $13,814 between 2014 and 2018, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). Filing a claim for the loss or damage of property is one of the worst experiences for a homeowner. And if errors occur during the claims process, a homeowner could face serious financial consequences. Some common snafus homeowners make that can impact a claim include not securing coverage in time, choosing a deductible they cannot afford, and not having the right coverages in place. "One big issue is underinsurance," Jessica Hanna, spokesperson for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, told MarketWatch in a September article. "That only seems to come to light after a major storm." However, there are other errors insureds should be aware of before filing a claim. Click through the above slideshow to reveal ten common mistakes clients should avoid with home insurance claims, according to Forbes. Additionally, agents and brokers should educate clients and prospects about the benefits of working with an insurance advisor to secure proper coverage and navigate the claims journey to ensure the best possible outcome for insureds. Related: 

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