Insurance claims can be complicated and stressful, and with more than 20% of home insurance claims rejected every year in the UK, therefore you will have many questions and need Home Insurance Claim Help. What do I do? What happens next? How long will it take? How will my claim affect my policy? Will I receive the full cost of damage? Who can help if my claim is rejected? These are just some of the questions you will have and we hope to help. From a burst water pipe in Oxford to chimney fires in Leicester, we can help.
Submitting an insurance claim comes after a strenuous circumstance, your home and property have been damaged or lost; the claim process can add further strain. You need helpful advice about how to submit and manage your claim in a simple, effective way so you can move on and focus your energy on more positive things. Reclaim your sense of wellbeing along with your possessions by reading our answers to your most common questions; giving you the help you need with your insurance claim
It’s likely the first question you’ll ask yourself when you discover the damage and loss to your property is, ‘What do I do?’ At Oakleafe Claims Loss Assessors, we’re experienced at handling every stage of your claim, and understand the domestic and commercial insurance claims process inside-out. A simplified process of what to expect with your domestic claim can be found here. A simple guide to making a business claim can be viewed here.
Once you’re more familiar with the claims process and what you can expect with each stage of your insurance claim, it’s time to manage your home insurance claim effectively. When your property is as secure and safe as possible, and as long as it’s safe for you to do so; gather your evidence. This ought to be video and photographic evidence, along with a crime reference number if applicable, from the Police. This evidence will be the foundation of your insurance claim so make it comprehensive and keep it safe and organised; you’ll immediately help simplify your claim.
Contact people who know what to do and how to simplify your claim. Loss Assessors such as Oakleafe Claims work to do exactly that. We represent you to give you the best outcome. We will walk you through what to expect, how to proceed with your insurance claim, and provide valuable advice about your specific situation and policy. We can explain all the insurance claim jargon, making your claim as easy and straightforward as possible.
Insurance claims are complex and take time; expect the whole process to take up to a year to be settled. However, there are three great ways to help speed up your insurance claim; be prepared, persistent and present.
Be prepared: whenever you purchase expensive items, keep your receipt in a safe place as a matter of course. This way, you’ll have proof of the exact cost if you ever need to make a claim. Gather detailed information that will be necessary for your claim, before speaking with your insurer; circumstances leading up to the claim, photographs, videos, your policy details and a crime reference number if applicable.
Be persistent: do not trust your insurer to keep on top of your claim process for you. Your insurer, despite their marketing tactics, will not be in a hurry to deliver your settlement. Check your policy for time constraints attached to your claim, and ensure your insurer adheres to their responsibilities within the time frames set out by them. Make yourself a nuisance; maintain frequent contact with your insurer so they have little choice but to process your claim as quickly as possible.
Be present: be available as much as possible whenever contractors are involved with the assessment of your claim. Your insurer will send out their Loss Adjuster and contractors to survey and assess the damage to your property; make yourself present. Be direct and deliberate about providing the evidence associated with your claim and be sure to point out the full extent of the loss and damage, to ensure nothing gets missed. By being present, you can ensure no corners are cut, and stay in control.
Once you’ve dealt with the immediacy of your property damage and filed your claim, you’ll likely have some questions about how it will affect your policy. The most prominent question being, ‘Will my premium increase after my claim and by how much’?
The short answer is, yes your premium will increase after you’ve made a claim. Insurers set their prices according to the estimated risk of damage to your property. Once you’ve made a claim, the risk increases and so too does the cost of your premium. If you have to make a claim for flood damage, expect the cost of your cover to double as a result. Whilst a claim for subsidence can decrease the number of insurers willing to provide you with future cover.
However, there are steps you can take to help find cover at a reasonable cost, even after you make a claim. The first is to shop around. The insurance market is crowded and competitive; do your research to find the best policy for you. Be sure to be honest about any previous claims; if you lie about previous claims you’ll invalidate any new policy and leave yourself unprotected against potential future loss. The second is to consider investing in your property to reduce your risk. For example, if you’re located in a flood-risk area consider an upgrade to your drainage system. Similarly, securing alarms and cameras at your property can support your policy.
It’s important you know the difference between a Loss Assessor and a Loss Adjuster so you receive the right support and help with your insurance claim. A Loss Adjuster works on behalf of your insurance provider to give them assessments and evaluations regarding your claim. They work to reduce the potential cost to your insurer. Loss Assessors such as Oakleafe Claims on the other hand, work independently to support you. We work on your behalf to help you through what can be a daunting experience. We’ll explain the small print and terminology and assist you through every step of your claim, for as long as you need us.
Independent contractors can also provide invaluable support to your claim. Reputable contractors and surveyors can give you reliable estimates about the cost of loss and damage to your property, helping to ensure you receive the right settlement. Their professional opinion can go a long way to assist your claim, especially if your insurer is underestimating the financial cost.
Filing a claim against your property insurance can be a stressful and complicated experience. You’ll likely have many questions and want as much help as possible to understand the process and impact of your claim. Your claim process can be simplified, shortened and supported if you have the right knowledge and professional advice. By following our advice, we hope you have all the information you need to help your insurance claim proceed smoothly without complaint.
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If you have been declined whilst trying to claim on your domestic or commercial insurance, we can help. We can also help with professional services, for example, Brokers, VAR Valuations and Managing Agents.
