How to make a house insurance claim
When making a claim on your house building insurance or house contents insurance, there are a few basic steps you can take to make the process as simple as possible:
1. Check whether your claim is covered. If still in doubt after reading your policy documents, contact your insurance company for clarification.
2. Get a claim form from your insurer. This should be done as soon as the loss, theft, or damage to your home or possession(s) occurs. Complete the form as soon as possible and return it to your insurance company, with an estimate for any cost of repairs or replacements. If you cannot get estimates quickly, return the form and send the estimates when you get them.
3. Keep all of the damaged items. There is a good possibility that the insurance company will want to see them. Keep any receipts for emergency repairs; they may become part of your claim.
4. If your claim is substantial, there is high likelihood that your insurance company will send out a claims adjuster (loss adjuster). This individual will take a look at the claim as a whole and any/all items reported within it. The claims adjuster is not an impartial entity, but is there to represent the insurance company.
5. In claims of substantial size, you can contact a claims assessor (loss assessor). These individuals work on a commission basis (paid by you) and can represent your interests and deal with the insurance company on your behalf.