Insurance can be complicated…but getting your claim paid doesn’t have to be.

Most people give very little thought to insurance until it comes time to submit a claim. More specifically, not until a claim is delayed, under paid or denied. While there are numerous factors that determine why a claim is denied or underpaid, the insurance company is obligated to disburse the funds in accordance with the terms of the policy unless the language of the policy indicates that a policy condition has not been met. Sounds complicated, right? It can be…but there are a number of things that can be done to help ensure a claim is paid in full.

A few simple steps can go a long way to getting your insurance claim paid: 

• There are time sensitive requirements for the notification, filing and documenting of any claim or loss. Notify your insurer promptly of any loss and understand the requirements and time limits for filing a claim.
• Pay your premiums on time. Delayed or missed payments could results in a denied or under paid claim.
• Complete all original applications with detailed factual information. If the adjuster assigned to investigate your claim finds anything questionable with the original application for coverage or with the claim itself, it is possible that your claim may be denied because of conflicting information.
• Know what your policy covers and excludes to ensure you’re getting the coverage you need. Every insurance policy has exclusions. If the cause of your claim is excluded from coverage in your policy, then you can expect your claim to be denied.
• Following a loss, take all reasonable steps to protect property and to mitigate the damage. The policyholder is required to protect insured property from further damage and to mitigate the extent of loss. Not taking reasonable steps to reduce the extent of the loss could be grounds for a denial.
• Document all damage and file a detailed itemized claim to your insurer. One of your responsibilities as a policyholder is to prove your claim to the insurance company. It is very important to document the damage done to your property accurately and with as much detail as possible.

Insurance claims can be a time consuming and challenging experience for most policyholders and the delay or denial of your insurance claim can have severe implications. Hiring a professional advocate, such as an experienced insurance broker, to walk you through the complexities of an insurance policy, provide advice, help file your claim, and negotiate with your insurance company, can be essential to prompt and favorable settlement of your claim.

I am Doug Myrick, Principal Agent for Insurance Policy Centres, LLC. You can follow me on LinkedIn and on Twitter to see more posts and insights on all topics related to loss prevention, risk management, and insurance.

NOTE: None of the information in this article is intended to offer legal advice. Regulated individuals/entities should ensure that they comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.