- 1). Understand your policy. Know what's covered and the deductibles. An insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurance company. They will stick to the contract precisely. You have an opportunity to add to the contract if you need more insurance. For example, if you want your diamond ring insured, you might need to add a jewelry rider to your homeowners policy. Knowing what is covered and for how much is very important on the front end. After a disaster happens it will be too late to add to the policy. Also, health insurance claims are often denied because of small errors in filing technicalities or mistakes. If your claim is denied, ask the doctor to check the codes for mistakes. If it is still denied, you can appeal the denial with the insurance company.
- 2). Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible after an accident or disaster. If you wait even a short time things can happen that might compromise your claim. Documentation can be lost or further damage may occur that is not part of the claim. Your policy might require that a claim be made within a certain period of time. You should get your agent involved since he should have a working relationship with the insurance company.
- 3). Call your state insurance department if you need help with a claim before calling a lawyer. If your insurance company is not treating you fairly, you may be able to straighten things out by calling the state insurance office. You can always call a lawyer if the state insurance office cannot help you, but once you call a lawyer the insurance company, adjuster and your agent will communicate with the lawyer instead of you.
- 4). Call the police and make a police report immediately if you are in a collision (after you have attended to any injured parties and/or called for medical assistance). Make sure you keep a copy of the police report and write down any relevant information, including names, addresses, phone numbers and the other party's insurance company.
- 5). Get at least two estimates on damage to your car or home. If the adjuster feels your estimates are reliable, your claim will be approved more quickly. Otherwise the adjuster will get estimates and you will have to wait on that process.
- 6). Make temporary repairs to your home to protect it from further damage. Do not start any permanent repairs until your claim has been approved. The temporary repairs should be covered by the policy---after all, you are helping protect the insurance company from further risk.
- 7). Document every aspect of your claim. You can videotape your home and belongings before you need to make a claim. This documents exactly what is being insured. You may also want to keep receipts, cancelled checks and sales invoices for your belongings, especially jewelry, silver and other luxury items to prove to the insurance company that you own those items. Also, after an accident or disaster, make police reports, obtain information about other parties and their insurance companies, and keep copies of all information and paperwork.
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