Use us as part of your management team.  We help reduce risk and costs.

What to do when you have a claim

You’ve insured through us and you need to make a claim.

 

This checklist should assist you in making a speedy and successful claim.

 

1   Call the Fire Brigade and/or whoever else is appropriate!

 

2   Check your policy/certificate/other documents.

    Does it have a telephone number for reporting claims?

    If so, collect the information it says the claims line will need and telephone without delay.

    If you have no such information, ’phone us as soon as possible.

 

Ø       If you need windows boarding up, a damaged roof sheeting over etc. the insurers may have given you a 24/7 telephone number.  Use it now!

Ø       Please note: Insurers expect you to notify a claim as soon as is practicable.  This minimises your (and their) loss and facilitates speedy resolution.

Ø       Late notification is a valid reason for an insurer to refuse to pay a claim!

Ø       You must act as any prudent person would if not insured.  Insurers call this “mitigating the loss.”  Any immediately necessary temporary repairs must be done without delay, to make the insured property secure and safe for you and others.  Failure to do this could result in insurers refusing to pay for additional damage occurring later.

 

3   Let us know what has happened, even if you’ve notified the insurers.

    It is frustrating to receive a call 3 months after the event, when things are not going as you would like and we have no idea that you have made a claim.  It can then be very difficult for us to retrieve the situation.

 

4 Gather information quickly to facilitate a satisfactory outcome.  Depending on circumstances, this can include:

Ø       Names and addresses of independent witnesses.

Ø       Photographs of before and after the event.

Ø       Estimates to make good the damage or a note from a reputable repairer saying repair isn’t possible.

 

5    Let us or the insurers have the information and any claim form (not always needed) as soon as possible.

 

6   Loss Adjusters - If it is apparent that the bill will be substantial, your insurers will almost certainly want to appoint an experienced independent loss adjuster to assist in the processes involved.  Some insurers may do this for smaller sums too.

Ø       If you think the bill is likely to run to (say) £1,000, tell us/the insurer.  Ask if a Chartered Loss Adjuster will be appointed.  This can greatly enhance a satisfactory close for you.

Ø       The Loss Adjuster will check to ensure you are adequately insured.  If you are not, he will recommend the insurers only pay a reduced amount.

Ø       The Adjuster will also check you have complied with the policy terms and conditions.  If you haven’t he will tell the insurers, who may then refuse to pay you.

Ø       Loss Adjusters are professional people and the vast majority of them are very fair minded.  If you have any concerns, you should ask the adjuster for his/her opinion/help/advice.

Ø       We are used to dealing with Loss Adjusters.  If you wish us to speak/write to them on your behalf, simply ask.

      Ø      Our services include assistance with handling a claim.  There may be times though, especially with a complicated and/or substantial claim, where we recommend that you engage the services of a Loss Assessor.  He will negotiate on your behalf with the Loss Adjuster and protect your rights under the policy.  The Loss Assessor’s fee is usually a percentage of the settlement.  This will be payable by you and is not normally recoverable under the policy.  It transpires though that the extra amount the Assessor is able to negotiate for you can more than cover his fee.

·         Use our wide experience of settling claims.

·         Wide business experience to help you.

·         Professional connections for when you need them.

Claims Service

Moneynotion Limited

Fully Independent Advice on

Insurance, Mortgage, Financial Advice and Risk Management

E-mail us