7 Tips For A Successful Insurance Claim

Insurance companies are the worst. I am sure if a lot of you had to deal with an insurance company during one point or another. Don’t worry, because we will give you the tips that will make a difference, straight from the lawyers’ mouth! Insurance claims can be very demanding, your claim might run into a range of issues, time delays, arguments about the value and the coverage. Complaints like these are very common, and we hear about them every day. This article will give you the tips that matter. These tips will give you the best shot for a successful insurance claim.  

Tip 1: Be familiar with your insurance policy

When you make an insurance claim, you should start with reading and becoming familiar with your insurance policy. You can get a copy from your insurance provider by asking them for a Product Disclosure Statement. You must pay attention to the following two elements:

1. The policy wording
2. The schedule of insurance

You must read and become familiar with both these two elements, as they work together. The schedule of insurance acts as a key that helps you understand how the policy works for you. Many insurance companies might use the same or very similar policy wording, but the schedule of insurance is the document that explains your coverage.  

Tip 2: Record Everything

‘Your call is being recorded for quality and training purposes’; this is something you must hear a lot when call up any insurance company. This is also something you need to learn from. You should maintain a record of all calls you had with the insurance company. Record the following:

• Date and time
• Person you spoke to
• Content of the call

If you called about something important, send an email to the insurance company to confirm the discussion you had on the phone. You must NOT record your phone calls using an app on your phone or a device attached to your phone. According to Queensland law, it is illegal to record a phone call with a device physically attached to the telephone and this would also include a recording app on your phone. However, it is legal to record a phone call by a person who is a party to the phone call using an external device, such as an app on a computer. If you are reading this outside of Queensland, you should research the law in your state.    

Tip 3: Provide the proof and evidence

If you want a successful claim, you must cooperate with your insurance company by giving them proof and evidence supporting your claim. Different insurance claims have different required documents. Some examples might include:

• A police report
• Statements
• Photographs
• Invoices
• Quotes
• Expert reports

The insurance company might appoint a loss adjuster or investigator to evaluate your claim. This is an agent for the insurer, as such, you should also do your own investigating. The cost of you hiring a third party to investigate your claim can be paid by your insurance company, as it is a part of the ‘claims preparation costs’. However, before you hire any investigators, you must get approval from your insurance company. After providing all the evidence and proof, your insurance company might still ask for more. So, please be prepared for that and remember don’t give up!  

Tip 4: Get all the documents

Your insurance company will often get reports, statements, quotes and photos from other third parties. You must always ask for a copy. You can also request a copy of all transcripts or recordings from the conversations you had with the insurance company. The 2014 General Insurance Code of Practice sets out rules for participating insurance companies. These rules demand that insurance companies must provide all reports and information relevant to a claim decision. To check if your insurance company is a participant in the Code of Practice, click here. To view a copy of the Code, click here.    

Tip 5: Complain

So you are unhappy with the decision or unhappy with the way how your claim was handled? You must complain! You need to double check your insurance policy. It will tell you who to contact if you want to submit a complaint. It is vital to identify what is stopping your claim from being successful. If you struggle to figure out what is the heart of the problem, you should consider calling your insurance company or an independent solicitor. Here at, Ascent Lawyers, we specialise in handling personal injury insurance claims. We have extensive experience dealing with large insurance companies. We know all their tricks. So, we have all the expertise you need. If you feel lost and unsure, give us a call!  

Tip 6: Get legal advice sooner rather than latter

We have handled insurance claims in all different stages. Some contact us as soon as the event occurs. Some only contact us after years have passed. It is a golden rule that the earlier you get help from a legal professional the better. Don’t hesitate. Don’t worry. Give us a call today. We provide obligation free legal advice for the initial 15 minutes.    

Tip 7: Demand an internal review

The internal review process gives your claim another chance to be considered and evaluated again. You might want to provide any new information or proof to the insurance company. It is vital to double check your insurance policy and see what the time window is for an internal review. To increase the chances of your success, you can also engage a lawyer to help you draft a submission. Give us a call today! Tell us your story and we are here to listen.  

Conclusion

The key takeaway is that making an insurance claim is a challenging and difficult process. You might need all the help you can get. So, the earlier you reach out to us, the more likely your claim will be successful.