What to do in the event of a claim

Nobody wants to be involved in an incident or loss that can lead to a claim. An insurance claim can be a stressful experience. But know that Van Beurden Insurance will be with you every step of the way.

Knowing what to do prior to having a claim can ease some of the stress involved.

Here are few tips to do now in case you ever are involved in a claim.

• Program your insurance company’s claim phone number in your cell phone. That way it is easy to find when you need it most. Keep a picture of your license plate on your cell phone. If you car is stolen, you have the plate number available. Take photos and/or videos of all your personal property and keep copies at a location other than your home. After a loss, it will be hard to remember everything you owned, and a photographic record will come in handy.

If you do have a loss that may result in a claim (other than Workers’ Comp) you need to report it as soon as practical after the incident.

When you report the claim you will be asked for:

• A description of the incident
• Date and time the incident occurred
• Location of the incident
• The action you have or are taking to minimize loss

Many insurance companies are open seven days a week, twenty four hours a day for claims reporting.  The sooner you call in the claim, the sooner they can start to help. You need to protect your property from further damages.

If you are in an auto accident:

• Move out of the way of traffic, and turn on your hazard lights.
• Call the police, even in a minor accident.  If someone is injured, request medical assistance.  If a fire is involved, request fire department aid.
• Do not discuss the accident with anyone other than the police or your insurance companies
• Exchange necessary information with the other driver(s).  Don’t forget to write down the license plate numbers of all involved vehicles.
• If your insurance carrier provided you with an accident report form, complete as much of it as possible.

If you have damage to your home:

• Protect your property from further damage by arranging for reasonable, temporary repairs as soon as possible (for example, boarding up broken windows). Do not make any permanent repairs until the insurance adjuster has had a chance to review the damage.
• Keep an accurate record of all temporary repair expenses so they can be added to your claim. In addition, keep a record of any other expenses that may be considered for possible reimbursement.
• Determine the damage to your personal property contents. Separate damaged and undamaged property, and make a written list of damaged items. Be as detailed as you can. Include any photos or videos you may have taken as part of your inventory.

If your personal property has been stolen:

• The police should be contacted immediately. Keep a record of the officer and station notified and any incident number they may give you.

If you are involved in a liability claim:

• In general terms, no admission of liability should be made to any party in any form whatsoever. All correspondence, writs, summonses and demands should be sent to the Claims adjuster assigned to you by your insurance company immediately upon receipt.

We hope you never have to experience a claim, but if you do, we’ll be here to help.