How to File an Insurance Claim

Categories: Money | Personal Finance | Insurance

  • An insurance policy is something people purchase from a company that guarantees them compensation for specified losses, damages, illnesses or death. The policyholder pays the insurance company a certain amount of money, called a premium, for this guarantee. If you experience losses, damages, illnesses or a death while covered by this policy, you will need to file an insurance claim in order to collect the appropriate compensation. This page provides information on filing an insurance claim.


    Were you recently in an automobile accident that caused damage to your vehicle? Has your home been burglarized or damaged due to inclement weather? Have you experienced health issues that have resulted in a trip to the emergency room? If so, and if you pay for car, homeowners or health insurance, then you may want to file an insurance claim. This page will walk you through the process of how to file an insurance claim.

  • Types of Insurance Policies

    There are many types of insurance policies available for you to purchase, each one with different specifications for coverage and compensation should a claim be filed. Types of insurance claims include, but are not limited to the following:


    1. Auto insurance
    2. Health insurance
    3. Life insurance
    4. Flood insurance
    5. Home Owner's insurance
    6. Property Insurance
    7. Dental Insurance
    8. Renters Insurance

  • Step 1: Know When to File a Claim

    When should you file an insurance claim? First of all, if you intend to file a claim you should do so immediately after you experience a loss, damage, illness or death associated with your policy or policies. Second, you should make sure it is worth filing. Many insurance companies will cancel your policy if you make more than two or three claims over a one year period. Companies do this because they consider you high risk. This does not mean you should not file a claim, only that it should be a valid claim, as well as being weighed against the probability you may need to file more claims in a short amount of time.

  • Step 2: Contact Your Insurance Company

    Contact your insurance company immediately to report your claim. Make sure when you call that you have looked over your policy and know what your entitlements are. Also, keep notes of all conversations you have with the insurance company's representatives. This means recording the agent's:


    1. Namehttp://www.uphelp.org/claimtips/tip_general.html
    2. Phone numberhttp://www.uphelp.org/claimtips/tip_general.html
    3. Job titlehttp://www.uphelp.org/claimtips/tip_general.html
    4. Supervisor's nameshttp://www.uphelp.org/claimtips/tip_general.html

  • Step 3: Know the Rules and Regulations

    Once you have contacted the insurance company and started the claims process, you should become more familiar with the rules and regulations that govern insurance claims in your state. This means getting the specifics on the type of insurance claim you are filing, as well as becoming more familiar with your particular policy.

  • Step 4: Gather the Necessary Documents and Information

    When you decide to file an insurance claim, there are several things you will need to have on hand as you deal with your insurance agent. Here is what you will need, as well as some tips to keep in mind:


    1. Know your policy. This means you should have read the fine print, and be able to approach the claim agent with this knowledge. Do not allow yourself to be bullied, or talked out of something that you are entitled to.
    2. Documentation. If you have car or home owners insurance, for example, make sure you have photographs on hand of what your car or home looked like when you became insured. Once the damage has occurred, immediately photograph these items to prove something has been damaged. Also keep receipts of items you purchase to prove these items were purchased while you were insured.
    3. Record specific damages. Whether your car has been damaged or your home has been broken into or has been flooded, you should make a thorough account of missing and/or damaged items.
    4. If the police are involved, make sure you keep a copy of the police report to show to the insurance company. Make sure you do not admit fault during this time, as this may affect your insurance compensation.
    5. Avoid using the term lawyer while speaking to a claims adjuster
    6. Get repair estimates before an adjuster comes out to assess damage. This may expedite your ability to get a claim passed through.


    • The above tips apply to most insurance claims, but keep in mind that the type of insurance will dictate your approach more specifically.

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