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If your business suffers a loss that’s covered by insurance, you’ll need to file an insurance claim. Learn how an insurance claim works and how to file one.
If you are in an accident or your business suffers a loss that is covered under a business insurance policy, one of the first steps you need to take is to file an insurance claim. Filing a claim starts the process of making sure you get money for the losses you incur. The best insurance providers make the claims process simple, but it’s important to know how insurance claims work and how to file one.
An insurance claim is a request made by the insured (the policyholder) to the insurance company for a loss covered under the policy agreement.
For example, let’s say you operate a fleet of company vehicles and one of your drivers is involved in an accident. To start the process of the insurance company paying for repairs to the vehicle, you would need to file a claim with your insurance carrier. The insurance company may then approve or reject the claim based on an assessment.
The claims process will vary based on the type of insurance you are filing the claim for, such as workers’ compensation, business property, professional liability, errors and omissions, or business auto. Here are the steps you’ll take to file an insurance claim.
You’ll start by determining how your insurance provider allows you to file claims. Many providers let you file claims online, but some companies require you to speak with an agent over the phone.
The claims process could include downloading and mailing documents, uploading documents to an online insurance portal, faxing documents, calling a toll-free hotline or using an app. Knowing how the process works for your insurance provider will make it easier and quicker to file the claim.
Next, you’ll gather the basic information your insurance provider will need:
If you took any photos immediately following the incident, you’ll want to submit those to your insurer as well. In addition, you should provide your insurance company with an inventory of anything that was damaged or ruined.
It is crucial to contact your insurer immediately following an accident, when your property is damaged or when you are affected by any peril that could be filed as a claim under your policy. Just be sure to review the specifics of your policy, since it may exclude certain issues arising from natural disasters and damages.
Immediate action is necessary, especially in cases of building-related damage. In these instances, your insurer will need you to take the proper steps to protect your property from further damage, even while the claim is being filed and/or processed. Document all observations related to the accident or peril, including permits and licenses, names and addresses of the parties involved, and photographs of the damage.
Within a few days of filing an insurance claim, you’ll be assigned an insurance adjuster. The adjuster is responsible for evaluating the damage and determining what the insurance company is responsible for covering. You’ll be required to provide proof of loss within 60 days of the initial insurance claim.
If your case is complex and you need some additional assistance, you might consider working with an insurance attorney, who can help you gather the necessary documentation and ensure that you provide everything the insurance company has requested. This person can also help you if you run into a dispute with your insurer. [Read related article: A Crash Course in the Business Legal Terms You Need to Know]
Once you file an insurance claim, a claims adjuster will determine how much the insurance company should pay toward the claim by gathering information about the incident and your policy’s coverage.
The adjuster’s job is to settle your claim as quickly and cost-efficiently as possible. In case an adjuster contacts you, keep all of the details of your incident handy, along with any applicable repair, service or replacement estimates to provide to the adjuster and record in case of a dispute or litigation by a third party.
This is some of the relevant documentation to save and keep on hand:
In certain cases, the insurance company will suggest a lawyer and may cover the cost of the attorney as well as any settlement or judgment.
Once the adjuster receives and investigates the validity of the claim and determines the amount of coverage according to your policy, they may request more information to review.
Once that review is complete, the claim will be approved or denied. Any payment you receive for a loss will be subject to the policy’s limits and deductible, which is the out-of-pocket amount you are responsible for.
If your claim is denied, your insurer will typically give you a reason why. Your claim could be denied for several reasons, such as any of these circumstances:
According to a study by The Hartford, these are the most costly insurance claims for small businesses (broken down by average claim cost):
Reputational harm | $50,000 |
---|---|
Vehicle accidents | $45,000 |
Fire | $35,000 |
Product liability | $35,000 |
Customer injury or damage | $30,000 |
Wind and hail damage | $26,000 |
Customer slip and fall | $20,000 |
Water and freezing damage | $17,000 |
Struck by object | $10,000 |
Theft and burglary | $8,000 |
Based on the numbers revealed above, is it worth filing an insurance claim? Often, yes, but not always. It depends on these factors:
If you have a history of filing accident claims, another claim may increase your risk profile and thus your insurance premium. Databases keep records of claims so insurers can assess you. Filing a claim that is close to your deductible amount could also impact your report.
You should consult your insurance company if you have concerns about your insurability due to an extensive history of accidents or loss. If your insurance company drops you as a policyholder, your new insurance carrier may adjust your new premiums as a result of higher risk. Even if you stay with your current provider, you take the risk that your premiums will increase.
If you are determined not to be at fault for the incident, a third party may pay. For example, if you were involved in an auto accident that was not your fault but resulted in damage to your business vehicle, the at-fault driver’s insurer might pay the repair costs via subrogation. If you sign a waiver of subrogation, it waives future legal action and claims on the incident.
Therefore, you should report accidents immediately to your insurer and notify the insurer if you agree to any of these types of final settlements. Consult an attorney as soon as possible before signing subrogation waivers to settle any accidents, and find out if you live in a no-fault auto accident state.
Consider the details of your policy, especially in the case of general liability. Many policies prohibit the insured from making a payment without consent, and some don’t allow direct payments to third parties.
This could ultimately cause a notice of policy cancellation or nonrenewal for the violation. There is also the risk that your case will be sent to litigation, so you should not take these actions without speaking to your insurance representative or attorney.
If the loss is less than the cost of your deductible; doesn’t affect another party; carries no chance of legal action, further damage or associated medical costs; and you can pay out of pocket, you may not want to file a claim.
If you decide not to file a claim, there are ways to deduct the loss from your tax returns. How you should go about this depends on the legal structure of your business. Be sure to consult a tax accountant in this case and carefully weigh your options.
Jamie Johnson contributed to this article.