Why did my home insurance send me a check?

Asked by: Thurman Kub  |  Last update: February 18, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (62 votes)

If your home is damaged, your insurance company will issue a check to pay for repairs, but the check will be made out to both you and your mortgage company. You'll need the cooperation of your mortgage company in order to cash the check and get the money for repairs.

What does it mean when insurance sends you a check?

Once your car insurance claim has been approved after an accident, your insurer will issue a check to pay for the repairs.

Can I cash an insurance check made out to me and my mortgage company?

If you're married and both on the homeowner's insurance policy, the check would include both your name and the name of your spouse. Any party whose name appears on the check must endorse the check before anyone can cash it.

Should you cash a check from insurance?

But should you cash it? You can, but in most cases, the answer is no, because the moment you cash or deposit the check, it will waive the insurance company from any further liability, thereby terminating any chance of you getting further compensation.

Why do insurance companies issue checks?

The check is made out to two parties

If the car insurance claim payment came from your insurance company, you might receive a check written out to you and the approved body shop. Auto insurers tend to issue two-party checks to reduce the chances the funds are used for something other than the intended repair.

I Got A Check From My Insurance Company... Now What?

22 related questions found

Can I keep my homeowners insurance claim check and make the repairs myself?

The takeaway:

After a claim, you can keep the leftover money, as long as you didn't lie and inflate the cost of repairs. The insurance company doesn't always pay the homeowner directly after a claim. You may receive several checks following one claim if there are multiple losses, and depending on the policy type.

How do I deposit a check with insurance company?

In most cases, you will turn the check over and sign above the line on the back of the check provided for a signature. In some cases, people sign above the line, then below it write, “For deposit only.” This means the bank can only deposit it into the payee's bank account.

Can I deposit an insurance check?

The check can be deposited in either payee's account regardless of whether it says "and" or "or," assuming that both parties have signed it. But you probably won't have much luck if it says "and" and you try to cash it.

Does mortgage company have to endorse insurance check?

This is standard industry practice. Your mortgage company will also be listed on the check. Your bank won't cash the check without the signature of everyone involved. You'll need to endorse the check and send it to your mortgage company.

How long is an insurance check good for?

How long is an insurance check good for? Insurance checks will usually have an expiration date printed near the memo that reads "Void after 60 days" or another amount of time. As long as the expiration date hasn't passed, the check is good to be cashed in.

Can you keep leftover insurance money?

Leftover money from home insurance claims can be kept if you're entitled to it per your policy. Before the check is written, insurance companies send a claims adjuster to assess the damage to determine the payout amount.

Why is my mortgage company listed on my insurance claim check?

Insurance companies issue claim checks in both your name and in the mortgage company's name. This feature enables your lender to ensure that these funds are used to make necessary repairs.

Why would my mortgage company send me a check?

An escrow refund check will reflect the amount of excess funds in your escrow account. If you are eligible for an escrow refund check, the loan servicer will most likely issue a check after its required annual escrow account analysis.

Can you cash out an insurance claim?

Answer: In general, when you make a claim against your own auto insurance policy, you can choose to "cash out" and receive money as compensation (minus your deductible amount ) instead of having your insurer pay a body shop to fix your vehicle.

How do home insurance companies pay out claims?

Most insurers will pay out the actual cash value of the item, and then a second payment when you show the receipt that proves you'd replaced the item. Then you'll get the final payment. You can often submit your expenses along the way if you replace items over time.

Can you cash a insurance check with two names on it?

The amount simply needs to match what is listed on the estimate. If there is an “and” between the names on the check, both signatures are required to cash the check. However, if there is an “or,” then only the body shop is required to sign so the check can be cashed.

How long does it take a mortgage company to release funds?

The timeframe for releasing mortgage funds does vary from lender to lender. However, it is common for funds to be released between 3 and 7 days.

Does homeowners insurance pay off your mortgage if the house is lost?

If a covered disaster completely destroys your house, your standard homeowner's insurance policy includes a "loss of use" or "additional living expense" protection, providing temporary housing until you recover. It pays off your mortgage, freeing you of that obligation.

How can I cash an insurance check without a bank account?

Cash a Check Without a Bank Account
  1. Cash it at the issuing bank (this is the bank name that is pre-printed on the check)
  2. Cash a check at a retailer that cashes checks (discount department store, grocery stores, etc.)
  3. Cash the check at a check-cashing store.

How long can a mortgage company hold an insurance check?

Additionally, if you request the mortgage company to release the insurance claim proceeds, or a portion, the lender must within 10 days release the insurance payment in whole or in part if you've provided them with evidence that you complied with their requirements for payment release.

How do I endorse an insurance check?

What is the proper way to endorse (sign) my insurance check? All persons and/or companies listed as a “payee” on a check need to sign the back of the check exactly as the name appears on the front of the check. This is known as “endorsing” the claim check.

Does cashing a check mean acceptance?

Cashing the check is considered to be acceptance of the offer and extinguishes the debt. In order to be effective, however, the words must be clear and conspicuous on the check. There must be no doubt that the debtor intends the check to settle the debt entirely.

How does insurance cash settlement work?

Cash settle.

Typically, under this option, the insurance company will pay the repair or replacement cost (whichever is less), less depreciation. Depreciation takes into consideration the age, use and condition (aka wear and tear) of the item being repaired or replaced.

How do you scare insurance adjusters?

The single most effective way to scare an insurance adjuster is to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer. With an accomplished lawyer fighting for your rights, you can focus on returning to your routine while a skilled legal professional handles all communications with the insurance adjuster.

What is recoverable depreciation?

Recoverable Depreciation is the gap between replacement cost and Actual Cash Value (ACV). You can recover this gap by providing proof that shows the repair or replacement is complete or contracted.