Finding out that you have responsibilities after a claim occurs can be frustrating. It is important to understand some of the duties you have as a policyholder well before the unfortunate event of a damage claim occurs.
The basics are pretty simple and straightforward, but non-compliance can lead to trouble. Make sure you review your policy to determine what steps you must take to protect yourself. If you need assistance to fully understand the policy, make sure you call your agent or broker.
Certain types of claims will require a report from either police or a fire department, or in some cases, both. In the event of a crime like theft or vandalism, or a fire, these entities will conduct an investigation that will provide the insurance company with some important information that could affect your coverage. For example, if you were a suspect for, there would be no coverage. It is in your best interest then to obtain the fire report and provide it to the claims department to rule that out right away.
When you make the claim with your insurer, be sure to ask if there are deadlines that you must meet, and how long it will take them to respond to the claim. It is also important to ask right up front whether your claim is covered or not.
One of the more common requirements under any policy is that you report the claim immediately. This gives the insurer time to act to prevent further damage and assess the cause properly.
It is also common for you, the policyholder, to be required to protect the property from further damage to the best of your ability. If your roofing shingles blow off in a storm, you should make every attempt to safely apply a tarp or have a contractor do so to prevent further interior water damages. These costs will normally be covered under your policy.
If you have damage to contents, you should begin to compile a list of the damaged contents. If you have to dispose of anything, be sure to take photos to provide to the adjuster. If you dispose of property without adequate proof of ownership, your claim may be denied.
After all of the damages are documented and the costs are counted, the insurer will provide forms that will memorialize the cause and amount of your claim. These documents will be signed by you and returned to them. There is typically a time requirement for the return of these documents so be sure to ask about this. In order to ensure that your claim is handled as swiftly and accurately as possible, it pays to be very detailed and educated about your damage and your coverage.