The home insurance claims process

The claims process need not be daunting or stressful. Policy Expert can help during this sometimes lengthy process.

Insurance companies usually have a Standard Operating Procedure which means they will usually follow a set of rules as to how a claim is processed. You will have to contribute towards this process to ensure it runs smoothly and reaches a satisfactory conclusion. There might be phone calls that need to be made and forms than need to be filled in.

Some insurance companies now offer an online service where information can be passed between the insurance company and yourself via the internet or through email. There may be online forms that can be filled in rather than paper versions, which for some people, can really speed up the process. After all we can’t sit at home waiting for the phone to ring and many people prefer to deal with correspondence via email because it’s much quicker.

Whether the claim is against your contents insurance policy or your buildings insurance policy will affect how the claims process operates. A claims assessor or loss adjuster may be assigned to your case. They may contact you by phone, letter or email and you may even meet with them personally. Above all, don’t assume that your claim will be resolved straight away – insurance fraud costs the industry millions of pounds a year and affects you directly with the noticeable increases in your annual premiums. Insurance claim investigations are now routine and can not only increase the time spent waiting for an amicable resolution, but also end in your claim being rejected.

Whether your claim is simple and straightforward, or complex and harder to resolve, will usually affect how long it takes for your claim to be processed. If you are making a simple claim for relatively minor damage to your home (such as redecorating due to water damage after a leaking pipe) the process should be completed without too much time or effort. As long as your policy covers what you are claiming for the assessor should be able to make their decision quite quickly.

However, if your claim is more complex or involves a large number of costs, your claim is likely to take a longer period of time and involve more effort on your part. The assessor may need to spend time discussing the damage, taking photos and getting several estimates before work can be carried out.

Remember, you are a vital part of the claims process. Remain in regular contact with your insurance company and any contractors to ensure your claim is moving forward. Don’t get pushed to the back of the queue.

Read more in our home insurance guides or get a quote now.