Most people have different types of insurance to offer protection from financial loss. There will come a time when you’ll need your insurance, and while this sounds simple, dealing with an insurance provider can get frustrating.
Plus, the stress of the situation can cause you to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, but when they are related to insurance, they can have a huge impact on your claim. The most common mistakes people make when filing insurance claims include:
Failure to Notify Your Insurer Immediately
When an accident occurs that requires you to file a claim, it’s imperative to do so as fast as possible. Claims rely on physical evidence and possible witnesses. Your insurance provider will want to assess the situation themselves.
Keep in mind that evidence can change over time and witnesses’ memories can also fade over time. In addition, many policies require you to contact them within a specified period of time after an accident or
Poor Documentation
Not getting enough documentation can delay the recovery of your claim. After an accident, be sure to document the scene and the surrounding area if you can do so safely. Take plenty of photos and video clips and send them to your insurer as evidence.
It’s also important to record any form of communication with your insurer regarding your claim. If you have troubles later, a written record will easily prove your case. Use emails to communicate as much as possible for easy documentation.
Not Cooperating With Your Insurer
You’ll need to provide your insurance company with all the information and documentation they need. Failure to do so can delay your claim payment or even risk being denied coverage.
It’s also important to familiarize yourself with the loss conditions of your policy, your obligations as a client, and some of the common insurance claim questions if you want to obtain your claim with minimal hassles.
Not Retaining Damaged Property
After a loss, you might be tempted to clean up the mess and get rid of damaged property. Don’t do that; you may end up destroying valuable evidence of a loss and your claim can be denied for that reason. Just leave everything as it is until an adjuster has inspected the scene. Sometimes, you may be obligated to prevent further damage.
For instance, if a windstorm blows a hole in your roof, you may have to cover the hole to prevent further damage by other elements such as rain. In such situations, make sure you take plenty of photos and video clips to show as evidence.
Not Contacting the Police
If a law has been broken, it’s important to contact the police. They can provide evidence on your behalf to your insurance provider. Police reports can also be the determining factor when determining fault in an accident.
Some of the situations that may require you to call the police include robbery, vandalism, not to mention, property damage or if someone has been injured or killed in an accident. Failure to contact the police could also mean you violated your policy, which could lead to your claim being denied.