Before a Claim: How to Proactively Speed Up an Insurance Claim | ClaimsMate

BEFORE A CLAIM: HOW TO PROACTIVELY SPEED UP AN INSURANCE CLAIM

Some of the best opportunities to speed up an insurance claim occur before a disaster. Even if you’re in the middle of a claim, these tips can help avoid headaches for your next claim.

TAKE A REGULAR INVENTORY OF YOUR HOME AND POSSESSIONS

Maintaining a good home inventory can speed up an insurance claim. Many people keep an inventory of all of their possessions in their home. You might have a binder, notebook, or spreadsheet listing your possessions, their approximate value, and any accompanying receipts or photographs.

This is less important for lowvalue items – like cutlery or a shampoo bottle.

However, it’s important for higher-end items, including televisions, jewelry, and other valuables.

If you have a home inventory, you can quickly provide your insurance company with the proof they need to reimburse you.

Set aside one day every 6 or 12 months to refresh your home’s inventory. A good, accurate, well-maintained home inventory could speed up your claim by months.

KEEP COPIES OF ALL IMPORTANT DOCUMENTATION

IN A HOUSE FIRE OR OTHER SERIOUS DISASTER, YOU MIGHT LOSE EVERYTHING. REPLACING IMPORTANT DOCUMENTATION IS DIFFICULT AND TIME-CONSUMING.

Consider making copies of the following documents: Mortgage information Land titles Insurance forms Birth certificates, passports, and similar documents

IN A MAJOR DISASTER, YOU MIGHT LOSE THE ORIGINAL VERSIONS OF THESE DOCUMENTS. IF YOU HAVE COPIES, IT SPEEDS UP YOUR ENTIRE RECOVERY PROCESS – INCLUDING YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM.