Filing An Insurance Claim

Everything seemed pretty simple when you purchased that insurance policy. If you have a loss, just tell the insurance company about it and you will get paid - Right? Well.... it may not be quite that easy. There are some basic steps you should follow to make sure your insurance claim is paid quickly and fully.

Prepare - in advance. The single most important thing that will make your life easier in the event of a loss is to be well prepared in advance. Do you have offsite copies of your computer files? What about paper files? If this is some kind of property loss, you will need to document the value. If you have to try to reconstruct records that were destroyed, it will delay your insurance payment and make it much harder for you to prove the value of your loss.

Estimate your loss. While it may not be possible to know the full extent of the loss, develop an estimate. If it is close to or below your deductible, you are probably better off not filing the insurance claim. Your rates will be based in part on your claims history so there is no advantage to you in filing a claim you will end up paying for out of your own pocket. Be careful, however, as most insurance policies require you to report a loss within a certain timeframe, usually 2 - 4 weeks.

Call your agent. Many insurance companies ask that you report your claim directly to the claims department. This is more efficient for them but not necessarily better for you. Your insurance agent may represent the company but his income depends on keeping his customers happy. Independent agents, in particular, are small business owners and owe their primary loyalty to their business. If you're a small business owner, your insurance agent understands that his business depends on keeping his customers happy.

Keep in touch with the adjuster. Ultimately the insurance company will assign an adjuster to work with you to estimate and pay the loss. Work closely with the adjuster and respond quickly and completely to his requests for information. The easier you make his job, the quicker you will get paid.

Consider an independent adjuster. If your loss is large and complex, it may pay you to hire an independent adjuster to work on your behalf. If you do decide to take this step, make sure you hire an adjuster who has experience with your type of business loss.

Lana Hampton makes it easy to find the insurance that's right for your needs. Visit her Insurance website today for the latest news and information.

---

New Jersey Car Insurance - What Do You Need To Know About It?

When purchasing New Jersey car insurance there are many decisions... Read More

Tips for First Time Insurance Buyers

The are many scary things in this world. Buying insurance... Read More

Talking to Your Parents About Insurance

Who can you talk to about auto insurance? Insurance agents... Read More

What Is Meant By Automobile Insurance Standard Coverage?

Automobile insurance standard coverage is the basic amount of insurance... Read More

Photography Insurance-Insurance for the Photographer

Part and parcel of establishing your own photographic business is... Read More

CarInsurance.com Is Available At All Dealerships With Internet Access!

You are ready to buy your first car. Researching the... Read More

Is an HSA a Type of Insurance?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is not a type of... Read More

Are You Running the Risk of an Uninsured Business? Beware & Get Business Insurance

Human life is precarious and so are the activities they... Read More

Health Insurance Options for Entrepreneurs

One of the most important benefits employed people enjoy is... Read More

Entrepreneurs, Fill in the Gaps of Your Homeowners Policy

Business Owners Policies for the Self-EmployedWho needs a business owner's... Read More

Life Insurance: Why Theres No Need to be a Desperate Housewife

Life insurance looks set to make a comeback in the... Read More

The Surety Bond Domino Effect

I have written many articles about the hard surety bond... Read More

Auto Insurance for Young Drivers

The biggest worry of most parents today is their children... Read More

Health Savings Account (HSA): Useful for Women in Childbearing Years?

The Health Savings Account (HSA) is an amazing tool that... Read More

Underinsurance Can Spell Disaster For Homeowners

Insurance is meant to give homeowners peace of mind, but... Read More

Finding Life Insurance Quotes For Adult Children

Shopping for life insurance quotes for adult children isn't any... Read More

Understanding How Your Credit History May Affect Your Car Insurance Coverage

Many personal auto insurance companies consider your credit information when... Read More

10 Ways to Lower Your Auto Insurance

Nowadays, auto insurance is really expensive. A typical insurance policy... Read More

Affordable Life Insurance!

So, you've decided to purchase life insurance. Well then, you... Read More

Disability Income Insurance Can Meet All Your Financial Needs

Disability income insurance can cover you in the event of... Read More

An Intro To Life Insurance

There are many options available for life insurance, and for... Read More

Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Do I Still Submit My Bills to Insurance When Using HSA Money?

The Health Savings Account (HSA) is becoming well-known as an... Read More

Ever Wondered What An Auto Insurance Claim Adjuster Does?

An auto insurance claim adjuster works for the insurance company... Read More

Term Life Insurance Quotes for Singles

Term life insurance quotes are rarely a concern of single... Read More

Medical Bankrupticies: What You Can Do To Protect Yourself

First the bad news: about 2,000,000 personal bankruptcies each year... Read More

Tips For Lowering Your Auto Insurance Quote

Do you have many claims? If so, you should do... Read More

What is Car Insurance?

Car Insurance is compulsory in the UK. You are required... Read More

Tips for Buying a New Home

My wife and I recently purchased a new home in... Read More

Online Insurance: The End of the High Street Broker?

When I was a lad, some 25 years ago, the... Read More

Why Bother With Farmers Auto Insurance?

Farmers auto insurance is a very large insurance company that... Read More

Taking The Mystery Out Of Long-Term Care Insurance

Here's the good news: with improvements in medical technology and... Read More

Factors That Affect Your Car Insurance Premium

Many factors affect the premium you will pay for auto... Read More

Choosing Buy-To-Let Property Insurance

Risk is an area often overlooked by landlords, but failing... Read More