How does one make an insurance claim? This is very simple, inform your insurer about the situation at hand and have them send you a claim form to complete. Making a claim varies depending on the type of insurance policy.
An insurance claim is the process of making an official petition to an insurer or insurance company requesting for payment on your insurance policy in accordance to the terms and benefits to enjoy as a policyholder.
When policyholders request for claim, the insurer or insurance company then investigate your situation before they making payment. After investigation, the insurance then decide to make payment if your case is genuine but when it’s false, you get nothing. Also, the process of making claim varies from one insurance company to the other.
Insurance companies requires the insured or policyholder to present certain documents and proofs before they proceed with claims. In most case, when requesting parties fail to go by the genuine way of asking for claims, they are likely to be penalized.
In this article, we will teach you how to make insurance claim and other vital information you need to know. Also, after reading to the end, you will learn something new and have much knowledge on what to do when you qualify for a claim.
Table of Contents
How to make insurance claim
Here is the best information you can get on making an insurance claim on a normal basis. Follow these steps below and have your claim successfully approved;
Notifying your insurer or insurance company – The insured person is expected to inform the insurance company about the situation at hand, whether it’s about death (life insurance) or car accident (auto insurance). This should be done within the stipulated time frame as stated in the contract.
Gather necessary documents, items and proof – If it’s a car accident, have photos of the accident scene and damaged car, police report, medical bill (if there is injury), policy contract and others. In the situation of death for life insurance, have a proof of death certificate and other documents as stated in the contract.
Request for a claim and complete the form – Upon gathering all your documents and proofs, fill out the claim form and present your items.
Investigation is carried out on your claim – After your have claim have been reported and form completed, an investigation is carried out. A adjuster will be available determine the outcome of your claim by checking out loss and benefit you qualify for. At a point where witness were available, they will be interviewed too.
Review of policy – After the investigation is done, the adjuster runs a check on your insurance policy on the areas your claim covers and not.
Payment – This Stage is finalize when all investigation and review shows you qualify for claim with its benefits. Your insurance company will contact you on when to make payment and the method of payment.
How to make insurance claim on a car
When you get involve in an accident, let the police come in at the time of the happening. This will enable you get a police report from the scene. It’s best to involve the police first whenever there is an accident.
Further, gather enough proof from the accident scene. This will serve as evidence during the insurance claim process. Taking pictures of the damaged car, injuries if there is, number plate, etc. Also, gather information on the other driver involved like personal information, damaged car, number plate and others. In the case where the other driver has insurance, exchange information on that aspect too.
In the situations injuries, visit the doctor for examination and treatment. Get hold of medical bills for claim processing. Notify your insurance company about the situation. When all documents and proofs are available, proceed to make a claim.
In making a claim, you are required to provide your policy contract and number. In completing the form, you will have to fill in details of the accident, the persons involved, date, time and location. Your police report will also be needed here. Attach copies of photos from the scene and bills.
An investigation will take place by an adjuster after you make a claim. The involvement of witnesses will be keen here if there were any. So all aspects will be looked through from the scene, damaged cars to medical bills.
They will also work with the other insurance company if the other driver involve has insurance and when the at fault driver has been determined.
Making an insurance claim on a home
Do not rush things up when you are being hit with a disaster like fire outbreak or flood in your home. Follow this simple steps to successful make an insurance claim on your home;
Get the police involved by calling them to visit the scene and file a police report.
Find out of your home insurance policy covers any causes of the disaster. If it’s in line with your policy, call your insurer and report the situation.
Take pictures of the damaged properties or important things involved. You can go to make repairs to your property if possible but make sure you keep records of all expenses you make.
Have ideas about items and things damaged from your home. Gather the vital document and information you need for making claim. Your insurer will then meet you on an appointed day, complete a form and investigation, review then arrive at a decision.
Conclusion
We hope you have learnt a lot from this article on insurance claim. Making a claim is not as difficult as you if everything is genuine. Provide the right documents, have good evidence, involve the police and make a claim.
There are also circumstances where insured persons get denied of their claims. Several factors relate to such denial. It could be that your policy doesn’t cover certain aspects or provision of fake documents. We are glad you know what to do when you want to make an insurance claim.
Share this article for others to read to avoid the situations of being denied claim.
