The most significant insurance mistake you can ever make is not having any insurance at all. For example, if you drive without auto insurance you are breaking the law. If you get homeowners insurance when you purchase your house and then cancel it, you would be in quite the predicament if a fire destroys your kitchen.
Getting insurance means having peace of mind, and knowing how to properly file a claim gets your life back to normal as quickly as possible after an incident. If you want to be prepared in case you need to file a claim, remember these four common mistakes – and avoid them.
1. Not Documenting Everything
When dealing with the other party during an accident. Make notes on what was said and done. The situation may be emotional so having notes to look back on will be helpful as your claim progresses. If there is a police report, submit it as soon as you can and always take photos of the scene to ensure that no detail is missed. With home insurance, it also helps to document your home's contents, including photos and storing this list in a safe spot incase of any future losses.
2. Not Making Your Claim Right Away
If you don’t make a claim as soon as possible you might forget an important detail or lose some of the evidence. As well, you run the risk of filing a claim too late. Some insurance claims have a small window, particularly with health insurance.
3. Saying Too Much
If you are in an accident, stick to the facts when speaking with the other party. Accusing the other driver of something such as texting or telling the other driver you were too tired to drive properly can hurt your claim or spark a civil lawsuit. Exchange information and let the police and insurance company handle the rest. That being said, when speaking with the insurance company and the police, answer their questions honestly. Embelishments or left out facts can also hurt your claim.
4. Not Filing a Claim at All
This happens most often with minor auto accidents when people choose to pay for the damages themselves. When damages don't exceed the deductable, or if there's a risk of premium increase, people prefer to handle things themselves. Be careful if you decide to not file a claim though, especially when another party is involved. Things can go sideways if the other party changes their mind and files a claim with their insurance company or later claims injuries.
At Armour Insurance, we are claim experts. Our goal is to help you file your claim properly to ensure you get compensated promptly. If you want more information on how to file a claim or need an insurance quote, please see the claims section of our website.
