Getting Started With Commercial Van Insurance Claims
Having a reliable commercial van insurance policy in place can provide much-needed protection for your business vehicles. But, if you ever find yourself needing to make a claim, it's important to be prepared for the claims process and what will be expected from you and your insurer. At its core, the insurance claims process involves verifying that your claim is covered under the policy and then assessing how much should be paid out.
To ensure that you are fully informed about the claims process, here we outline six key steps to help prepare you and your business.
1. Check That The Claim Is Covered Under The Policy
The first step is to make sure that the claim you are making is actually covered by the policy. As with any insurance, there will be terms and conditions in the policy wording that applies to the type of cover you have purchased. Depending on the insurer, you may need to meet specific criteria to make a successful claim. As the business owner, you should make sure you are familiar with the policy wording and any exclusions that may exist.
2. Gather Relevant Documentation Needed For The Claim
Once you have established that the claim is covered, you’ll need to start gathering the necessary evidence to back up your claim. This might include any invoices or repair bills that relate to the incident. Additionally,1 you should take photos of any damage and ensure there’s some form of documentation or evidence that proves the claim.
3. Report The Claim To Your Insurer
You’ll need to inform your insurer of the incident as soon as possible. Once you have gathered the necessary information, you can contact them by telephone or online to let them know you are planning to make a claim. The insurance provider will then take you through the necessary steps to put your claim in motion.
4. Collect Details About The Opposing Party
If it happens to be an incident of collision, you’ll need to exchange driver details with the other party involved. Depending on the type of damage, you may have to supply photos and witness information for the incident. Your insurer should provide you with a template form to complete, which you can then provide to the other party for completion.
5. Follow Through With Your Insurer
Once you have submitted your claim and all the relevant information to your insurer, you should stick to your side of the agreement. This means keeping a record of all the documentation and evidence until the claim is settled. It’s important to understand that with any insurance, the claim process can take a while, so ensure you stay in contact with your insurer to monitor the progress of your claim.
6. Fine Tune Your Policy
Finally, once your claim has been settled, you may want to review your policy to ensure it is meeting the protections and requirements of your business. Make sure that any updated terms and conditions from the insurer are reviewed and understood, and that your policy includes coverage for the repairs that may be needed following the claim.
Commercial van insurance claims can be daunting, but following the 6 steps outlined above should put your mind at ease and help get your claim settled as quickly as possible.