home insurance so you need to make sure the policy you choose not only covers your home but also fits with your lifestyle before you buy. Carefully check through the terms and conditions before you accept a quote so you know exactly where you stand. The smart way to get a claim paid: If you already have your home insurance policy in place and want to ensure that it pays out to cover a claim there are some simple steps to take to make sure you don't miss out: 1. Act quickly If you need to make a claim it's best to get the ball rolling as soon as possible rather than waiting for repair quotes and the like. This is important because most home insurers will only pay out for claims lodged within a certain amount of time. They're also likely to question delays so contact your insurer as soon as you can - they'll then advise you of the timescales for submitting your claim and the information you will need. 2. Gather evidence Whatever you're claiming for, you will need to prove that your claim is legit and this means gathering evidence to appease your insurer. You should: write down what happened, when and how list any items that have been affected take photos or a video of the scene of the incident get written statements from any witnesses (if relevant) Remember, the more evidence you can pull together the easier and quicker it will be to make