At claim time, you don't need to think, you need to move forward – that's what this list is for. Print it out or save it; the detailed explanations are in the linked articles. The route for notification is always the insurer's claims line or online portal – the list gives you the order to follow.
In brief:
- The order: safety → loss mitigation → documentation → notification → inspection → follow-up items.
- For burglary, one extra step: report it to the police – leave the scene untouched until it's examined.
- For a stuck or disputed case: help from the broker.
The first few hours
- ☐ Safety: no one enters a hazardous area; call the fire service, police, or ambulance as needed.
- ☐ Loss mitigation: shutting off the main valve / cutting the power / covering with tarpaulin / moving goods to safety – whatever stops the damage from spreading.
- ☐ Photos and video of EVERYTHING before anything is moved – wide shots and close-ups both.
- ☐ For burglary: call the police and file a report – leave the scene untouched until it's been examined; save the alarm and camera footage.
- ☐ Keep the receipts and work sheets from any loss-mitigation work.
Notification (the first 1–2 days)
- ☐ Notify the insurer via its claims line or online claim portal – with the policy number and photos.
- ☐ Note down the claim number you're given – every further letter will refer to it.
- ☐ A list of damaged items – based on the inventory; note that the list may grow.
- ☐ Gather documentation: invoices, records, inspection reports.
- ☐ Is financed (leased, endorsed) equipment affected? – notify the financing party as required by the contract.
The detailed process: claim notification step by step; separate guides by peril: fire, storm, burglary, water damage.
From inspection to payout
- ☐ Inspection appointment arranged; keep the site as unchanged as possible until then.
- ☐ At the inspection: have the policy, inventory, documentation, and photos on hand; show every affected item.
- ☐ Provide any missing documents in one complete round – the technique.
- ☐ Review the calculation line by line before agreeing to it – what to watch for.
- ☐ If the case gets stuck or disputed: help from the broker – how it works.
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This article is for information purposes only and contains general information; it does not constitute an offer or insurance advice. The precise content of insurance contracts is determined by the insurers' policy terms in force at any given time.
