Claiming on your insurance for property damage or theft can be stressful - but if you follow these steps you can maximise your chances of success.
- Ensure that employees inform you as soon as possible of any breakages, accidents, thefts, legal action against you or other potential claims.
- Check whether the loss is covered by your insurance policy and that you were complying with any conditions (eg appropriate security measures).
- Consider whether it is worth claiming, or if the excess you have to pay and the potential increase in renewal premiums outweigh the benefits of claiming.
- Notify your insurer immediately; ensure that any losses resulting from crime are reported to the police as well.
- Ask what action you are required to take to minimise further loss; ensure that the insurer approves any action you plan (eg emergency repairs).
- Keep records of the claim (eg photographs of the damage), initial notification and subsequent communications.
- Collect all the information required for the claim form; take advice from the insurer or your broker if necessary.
- Be ready to get estimates for any repairs, or to be visited by the insurer’s loss adjuster who will assess your claim.
- Claim for the full scale of your loss - for example, emergency cleaning, repairs, replacements and loss of business (if covered).
- Submit the claim and ask for an estimate of how long the claim process will take; agree a timetable.
- Be prepared to negotiate your claim; consider appointing your own loss adjuster for large, complex claims whose value is disputed by the insurer.
- Progress your claim as quickly as possible by providing information whenever required; consider negotiating interim payments if necessary.
- Review your experience to identify any changes needed to your insurance cover and procedures (eg record-keeping).
