There are many issues that can cause setbacks for print, packaging, label and even creative and design agency businesses. Electrical fires can damage inventory and equipment as well as shut down a business temporarily. Customer injuries can lead to lawsuits, natural disasters can destroy property, and burglaries can result in thousands of dollars of losses in equipment and valuables.
After any of the above events, you’ll have to file a claim with your insurer. But if you aren’t prepared, take too long to file your claim, or fail to document all of your losses, you may not receive a full claims payout. You can avoid that by following these tips:
TIPS TO GET PAID BY AN INSURANCE COMPANY:
Gather all the information — Before you file a claim, first you have to understand what happened. The insurer and your claims adjuster will need detailed accounts of the event and the circumstances leading up to it.
Look at the insurance policy to see if there are any other necessary steps to take. Some policies include instructions about what to do if certain types of insurable losses occur.
Don’t procrastinate during this time. It’s important that you quickly collect and document all the pertinent information.
- File a claim with your insurer — The most efficient way to get your claim started is by contacting the insurance carrier directly.
The best way to get the claim underway is by visiting your carrier’s website and going through their claims process. Many offer a convenient online method, but also provide an 800 number to call if you prefer to speak to someone one-on-one.
Whether you do it online or over the phone, you will be walked through the claims intake process. Be prepared to provide the information you gathered in the first step because your insurance company will need to know all the details about what and when it happened to properly assess your claim.
Most insurers will contact you within 24 to 48 hours after you file your claim.
- Inform us of the claim— Once your claim has been started, it’s now time to inform us, your insurance agent. In addition to answering any questions, we can explain your coverage and properly set expectations for what’s to come.
Additionally, if your claim has any complexity or nuance, we will be able to work with the carrier and/or provide useful advice and guidance.
- Create an inventory of losses — While you wait for the claims adjuster to contact you or for them to come out to assess the damage, you can work on creating an inventory of your losses.
This is essential for providing a clear picture of the loss or damage. Include descriptions of items, their original values and estimated current values. It is also helpful to include a description about the condition of the item before it was damaged.
If it is possible to photograph the damaged items, take photos for the insurer. Find copies of any receipts for damaged items.
It is also helpful to do a walk-through of the damaged area with a video camera or a cell phone video camera. Videos help show the damage live and from multiple angles. Use them to supplement photo files.
- Show proof of the loss — Insurers require policyholders to sign sworn statements that show proof of their losses, and the required information must be sent along with the statement. This statement must be made and signed within 60 days of the insurer’s first request for it.
- Make temporary repairs if needed— If temporary repairs must be made to prevent further damage or to protect other assets, they can be completed before the adjuster surveys the property. Do not order any unnecessary repairs.
The only types of temporary repairs that should be made are those that will prevent further damage or prevent a possible liability. For example, a temporary roof repair may be necessary to prevent it from collapsing and injuring people, or a broken window may be fixed to prevent rain from coming into a building and causing water damage.
Since repairs are included in the settlement, keep receipts for any services and items purchased. For contracted work, obtain two written bids from separate companies before hiring someone.
THE TAKEAWAY
Always stay organized when going through the claims process. Keep all papers accessible, and have information ready in the event that an agent or adjuster calls.
When talking to any repair companies or other related parties on the phone, keep track of calls and the reason for the calls. Save receipts for any items that are purchased in relation to the damage.
To learn more about what to do during the claims process, give us a call. You can contact us by reaching Shannon Wolford, Director of Membership at 415-710-0568 or shannon@visualmediaalliance.org.