How Do I File an Insurance Claim?
No matter what type of insurance policy you have, filing an insurance claim can be a difficult experience, especially if you have never done it before.
Notify your insurer or your agent immediately. Do not wait! This is the first step and prompt attention will help you get a resolution as soon as possible. There is no advantage to waiting. Don't be intimidated about the process.
To start the claim, follow the required procedure from your insurance company. They will have the proper forms for you to use to submit your claim. In many cases, you can start the process online, through an app, or on the phone. Your agent can help with this.
Minimize your stress by preparing in advance, particularly any records or files that will be needed to substantiate your claim. Follow these basic tips to prepare:
Auto Insurance: While everything is fresh in your mind, make sure you file the requisite police report* and start the claim process. For the insurance company, provide as many details of a claim situation as possible. These details should include:
• If there was another vehicle involved, information about the other driver including license number, registration, and description of the other vehicle.
• Details of the accident, including the time, date and place of the incident, the weather conditions, and the identities of any police who were present. The insurance company claims department may be located in another part of the country and won’t be familiar with your location, so describe the scene to the best of your abilities.
Homeowners and Renters Insurance: To file a claim, you will need to provide the details of what happened, including the date and time of the incident, any applicable fire and police department reports, and information about other people who may be involved in the same claim, such as owners or landlords.
To support your claim, you will also be asked to provide proof of the value of your losses. Documentation starts before you need to file a claim. Keep records of purchases and appraisals, and take pictures of your personal property: clothes, furniture, appliances, and other valuable items. If you have jewelry, artwork, and other appraised collectibles, provide the documentation in advance to your agent and insurer so you will be protected in full. Sales receipts, current appraisals, and photos establish ownership and valuation for replacement.
Business and Liability Insurance: Complete record keeping is very important for submitting claims for your business. Keep your business papers and property information in a safe and secure location, protected from fire, theft, and other types of damage. Electronic records should be stored on a secure hard drive; update and backup these records frequently. Use a reliable third-party service to keep sensitive information in the “cloud.” For hard copies, at a secure facility. For liability claims, make sure to document all correspondence and phone calls received. If you have a business claim, all this will be of enormous help to your insurer to help your business recover.
Life, Disability, Long-Term Care, and other health insurance: Keep financial records, policies, and other documents accessible for beneficiaries. For life insurance claims, be ready to provide a death certificate for the insured person; for disability and long-term care insurance, provide employer statements, paystubs, and medical provider information to your insurers to substantiate income and health concerns so they will help you in the process.
For all insurance claims, communication with your insurance agency is the key to help the process run smoothly. Your agent will be able to review your policy with you, and communicate with both you and the claims department to provide needed information and updates. As an independent insurance agency, we have worked with many insurers to help our clients through the claims process. Our clients are our top priority! Even before you submit your claim, we can review what you will need and help you be prepared.
Please note: We can only work with you on a claim if we are your agent for your policy. Talk to us today about what we can do for you!
An agent will not be able to tell you how much will be paid on your claim, when the claim will be settled, or violate any privacy issues that insurers are required to keep confidential–these are decisions made by the insurance company.
*Contact your local police department to get a copy of their accident or incident reporting form. For motor vehicle accidents, report in the location where the accident occurred.