I recently had small fire in my house. I lost some items and the property has some structural damage. I have home and contents insurance on the property but am unsure about how to proceed with making a claim. What should I do?
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Answer by Neha Sharma, Hillsdale 2036 NSW
- You should check your policy documents to see what procedure must be followed when making a claim.
- If you experience any loss immediately notify your insurer.
- Usually the first point of contact is through telephone.
- Do not delay this step.
- Do not dispose of any damaged parts of your home or its contents as your insurer will most likely inspect the damages.
- Check your Product Disclosure Statement and ensure that you comply with any requirements under your policy as failure to do this may result in your claim being reduced or denied by your insurer.
- It is very important to tell your insurer the truth.
- Including false details or adding false items to your claim can have serious legal consequences if you are caught.
- Keep all supporting documents and cooperate with your insurer when they assess the claim.