From Incident to Reimbursement: 5 Steps in the Journey of an Insurance Claim

Experiencing an event where you need to contact your insurance company can be traumatic, and a confusing claims process can make things even more stressful. That’s why we’ve put together this quick reference guide outlining the steps an insurance claim goes through. With a deeper understanding of what’s going on when you claim, you can feel a little calmer while dealing with the process.

Contacting the Insurance Company After the Incident

The first thing you’re going to need to do if you’ve experienced an incident requiring compensation is to contact the company that issued your policy. Every insurer has different processes that must be followed, so you need to initiate the process and find out what they require you to do next. 

If you’re unsure how to do this or think you’ll need assistance throughout the process, it’s a good idea to reach out to a professional for insurance claim help.

Collecting Evidence and Documentation

Before you start moving anything or making any repairs, it’s important to get all of your ducks in a row. Take plenty of photos of the situation (or videos if this more easily shows what’s happening). If necessary, lodge a police report and collect any other required documentation. Once this is done, you can move forward with picking up the pieces and making your claim.

Making the Situation Safe

While this was probably your first instinct at the beginning of this ordeal, as you probably discovered in steps one and two, many insurance companies need full documentation and evidence. So it’s important to speak to them first and gather the required evidence before touching anything at the scene of the incident. 

Once your insurer has given you the green light, you can proceed with any emergency fixes. If you need to move out of your home because it’s not possible to make it safe for inhabitants quickly, some insurance policies include coverage for a hotel. You’ll just need to check this with your policy issuer first.

Looking After Your Belongings

If your belongings could still be at risk, it’s a good idea to move your things to a temporary safe place. Many storage units are quite reasonable in pricing these days, and it’s worth the cost to ensure that your belongings are protected. Some policies will include coverage for this, but it is usually a case-by-case situation, so be sure to check with your insurer before you book anything. 

Arranging Repairs and Moving Forward 

When the time comes to get everything fixed up, you may find that some of the materials, finishes, and furnishings used in your home are not able to be replaced with identical items. Insurance companies account for this, so you shouldn’t have any issues getting something of equivalent quality and value. 

If at all possible, we suggest using this experience to make your home a healthier, safer place by selecting low-VOC options. These materials help improve the indoor air quality of your space. 

No one ever wants to be in a situation where they need to make an insurance claim, but life happens, so it’s best to be prepared. While the way things play out will obviously depend on the incident you’re dealing with and your specific insurance company, this quick guide should give you peace of mind that you know what to expect throughout the claims process. Stressing won’t make anything easier, so do your best to relax. After all, almost anything can be replaced, so there’s no point dwelling on an event that can’t be changed.