Every property insurance claim is different. However, most successful claims follow a structured process. Understanding what happens next can make what feels like an overwhelming situation much easier to manage.
1. Make sure everyone is safe
Your first priority should always be the safety of you, your family, your tenants or your staff.
If emergency services are required, contact them immediately.
Where it is safe to do so, take reasonable steps to prevent further damage to the property, as many insurance policies require you to mitigate further loss.
If the damage has resulted from theft, burglary, vandalism or another criminal act, you should also report the matter to the police and obtain a crime reference number where appropriate.
2. Notify your insurer
Most insurance policies require you to notify your insurer of the loss as soon as reasonably possible.
Provide accurate information based on what you know. If you do not yet know the cause of the damage or the full extent of the loss, it is better to say so than to speculate.
3. Contact Imperial Claims Consultants
If you would like independent professional claims assistance, contact us as early as possible.
We’ll ask you some initial questions about what has happened, explain how the claims process works and carry out an initial review to determine whether we believe we may be able to help.
If you decide to appoint us, we’ll explain the basis of our service before any work begins.
4. Understanding your claim
Where we are appointed, one of our first priorities is to understand both the damage and your insurance policy.
Depending on the circumstances, we may:
- review your insurance policy;
- inspect the damage;
- consider photographs and other evidence;
- identify the insured losses;
- discuss any immediate concerns, such as temporary accommodation or business interruption; and
- explain what information may be required to support your claim.
5. Managing the claims process
If appointed, we can help manage many aspects of the insurance claim on your behalf.
This may include communicating with your insurer, loss adjuster, surveyors and other relevant parties, helping prepare supporting information and keeping you informed as your claim progresses.
You remain involved in the important decisions throughout the process.
6. Recovery and reinstatement
Every claim is different.
Depending on the circumstances, your recovery may involve emergency works, drying, specialist cleaning, temporary accommodation, repairs or full reinstatement.
Our role is to help guide you through the insurance claims process while keeping your recovery moving forward.
7. Settlement and completion
When your insurer reaches a decision, we’ll help you understand what it means and answer any questions you may have.
If your claim is successful and repairs are required, we’ll explain the available options and continue supporting you, where appropriate, through to the completion of your recovery.
How long does the process take?
Unfortunately, there is no single answer.
The timescale will depend on the nature of the damage, the complexity of the claim, the investigations required, the availability of contractors and other factors outside anyone’s control.
Throughout the process, our aim is to keep you informed, provide clear advice and help move your claim forward as efficiently as possible.
