Fire outbreak leaves behind a lot of damage and destruction to our properties. This is why we need to make our properties more resistant to fire outbreak. Installation of fire alarm systems, use of high-quality electrical cables, and other measures are usually taken to improve the safety aspect of buildings. Nevertheless, these measures do not guarantee 100 per cent protection from the outbreak of fire. For this reason, having a fire insurance policy is something that can be considered as quite important.
While a fire insurance policy cannot prevent such accidents, but it can definitely help us deal with the financial repercussions. It can cover the losses we incur in the event of fire breakouts. Purchasing a fire insurance policy has become a lot easier these days. You can buy them online. But, you must also get familiar with the process of claiming fire insurance successfully. Through this piece of writing, we will help you know about four simple steps you should follow to get everything done in a smooth manner.
Steps you should follow for an easy claim settlement experience
In the event of a fire breakout, you might have to vacate the property and look for temporary shelter. In case you do not have sufficient amount of money in hand, you must intimate the insurance company to release some part of the sum assured in advance. The amount released can later be adjusted with the final claim amount. But, not every insurance company offers this kind of benefit.
Step# 1: Estimate the losses incurred
The first thing you need to do is make an estimation of the losses suffered by you. It must include the amount you would need to get reimbursed completely. Make a list of the major damages caused to your property. During this process, there are a few things you must keep in mind, such as-
- Do not throw off the burnt items
- Do not repair the areas that have faced major damages
- Make sure you have the evidence of destroyed or lost items.
Step# 2: Get in touch with the insurer and file a claim
The next obvious step is to inform the insurer about the incident. The sooner you do it, the better it would prove to be. You can call up one of their customer support executive or you may also send an email. In the email, you must mention the loss as well as request the insurance company to visit your property and assess the damage. During this step, you may have to submit evidence of loss claim. It must encompass each and every item you have included in the list. When you make a claim request, make sure you include these details:
- Date of incident/loss
- Category of damage or loss
- The injuries suffered, if any
- The present condition of the building/property
- Location of damage
- A brief description of damaged items
- A copy of the police FIR if a police complaint has been made
Step# 3: Assessment and estimation of loss
This step will be performed by the surveyor; he will be appointed by the fire insurance company. It is the duty of the surveyor to assess the property and make an estimation of the actual damage or loss caused. The insurance company will take into consideration the report submitted by the surveyor, and on its basis, the claim amount will be released. For this reason, you must co-operate with the surveyor and help him in the process of investigation. In addition, you must also keep safely the original reports generated by the surveyor. You may need them in future.
Step# 4: Close your claim only when you are satisfied
Once the reports have been submitted and your claims have been confirmed, the insurance provider might try to close your case in a hurry. But, you must take your time and think twice and thrice about the claim amount. Is the claim amount is enough to cover your losses? If the size of the loss incurred by you is huge, you must go through the list of damages again. Once you are satisfied with the claim amount, you can go ahead and submit the necessary documents needed for filing fire insurance policy claim. These are some of the documents you would have to submit:
- Duly filled insurance claim form
- An authorized copy of your fire insurance policy papers
- Photographs
- Previous claim papers (if any)
- Initial committee report showcasing the reason behind the incident
- A copy of the FIR
Besides them, there are many other documents you may have to submit. The insurance company will provide you with a list of documents. So, submit them properly and get your claim settled successfully.
