You hope it never happens, but sometimes things go awry. You’ve been hit with a loss.
What’s next? Who do you reach out to first? What are your obligations?Losses are stressful, but they shouldn’t be confusing. You have your claims professionals to lean on as you regroup and recover your business operations. They can walk you through the crucial steps that follow.
Navigating the 5 steps
The insurance claim process typically involves five main stages, from the moment you report your loss to the resolution of your claim. You can prepare for the process by gathering relevant documents (think receipts, original invoices and proof of ownership), gathering photos and accounts of the event or damage, and familiarizing yourself with the steps below.
Your insurance claim, step-by-step
Connect with your broker. Your broker is your primary contact when it comes to your insurance policy – they should understand your situation and how to proceed. Once you give your broker a detailed list of all the items that were damaged or lost, and any photos or videos that help to explain the circ*mstances, an adjuster will follow up with you to continue the claims process.
Claim investigation begins. After the claim has been reported, it will need to be investigated by an adjuster to determine the amount of loss or damages covered by your insurance policy. The adjuster will also identify any liable parties, and you can help the process by providing any witness information or other parties’ contact information.
Your policy is reviewed. Once the investigation is complete, the adjuster will go through your policy carefully to determine what is and isn’t covered under your policy, and inform you of any applicable deductibles that may apply to your case.
Damage evaluation is conducted. In order to accurately evaluate the extent of the damage, your insurance adjuster may hire appraisers, engineers, or contractors to lend their expert advice. Once the evaluation is complete, your adjuster will provide you with a list of preferred vendors to help with repairs. You’re not obligated to hire these vendors, but it can save you a good deal of time and research.
Payment is arranged. After repairs have been completed and lost or damaged items have been replaced, your adjuster will contact you regarding settlement of your claim and payment. The amount of time it takes to receive payment will depend on the complexity and severity of your situation.
Every claim is different, and although the claims process can vary slightly according to the situation, your adjuster will devote the time and attention it takes to resolve your particular case. Northbridge Insurance is committed to ensuring every claim is handled as fairly, professionally and as carefully as possible. If you run into questions or concerns during the claims process, you can always contact us on our website or by phone at 1.855.621.6262 to get the answers you’re looking for.
