Anyone who has ever dealt with a car accident or damage to their home or business knows that life can get hectic in a hurry with these unforeseen events on top of everything else. The process of submitting a claim and communicating throughout the process can be a daunting task to manage alongside all of life’s responsibilities. We not only want you to experience the most stress-free claims process you can in these unfortunate events, but we also want you to get to the end of it as quickly as possible, so you can go back to focusing on the things that matter most. 

Know Your Policy

The number one reason that claims get denied is simply because the circumstance that occurred isn’t actually covered. Insurance documents can be difficult to decipher on your own, but luckily you’re not alone! Your BMI agent is trained specifically to understand policy information and inform clients of what they’re lacking. Knowing your policy and all that it covers is the first step to a stress-free claims process. If you happen to be reading this without having just experienced a loss, then don’t hesitate. Get on the phone with your agent and go over all of the details of your policy. Ask every question that comes to mind, and specifically inquire about what your policy is missing. If your agent mentions a specific hole in your coverage that gives you cause for concern, ask about available endorsements. When it comes to the often-obscure world of policy documents, there is no such thing as too many questions. 

Protect Your Property

This is a common requirement outlined in property policies, and it’s worth its own section of this article. If you experience a loss, this usually makes your property more susceptible to further damage. For example, our homes are virtually leak-proof until a section of roof is struck by a falling tree. At that point, it becomes fair game for any rain to enter. When it becomes safe to do so, you’ll want to prevent future leaks from occurring by placing a tarp over the opening. The reason for this is that it may take a couple of days for your adjuster to get to your home and assess the damage. During this time, your claim could go from a small act of god to a large act of neglect if nothing is done to prevent further damage. Insurance doesn’t cover neglect of property, which can make the claims process a much bigger headache than it ever needed to be. 

Document Everything 

Most of us have difficulty remembering specific details for a long period of time, but combine an already forgetful personality with traumatic loss of property and you have a recipe for complete mental swipe. The first thing you think about when experiencing a collision or natural disaster probably isn’t your deductible. It’s much more pressing issues such as personal safety and then adjusting to life without a vehicle or fully enclosed home. This is why it is so important to write down everything you remember about the event as soon as you can. Take note of everything that occurs, as it occurs, and keep all documents pertaining to the claim until the claim is officially closed. 

The insurance claims process can be a headache, but it becomes a lot easier when you have BMI working on your behalf. Call your local agent for a quote, today!