Step One - determine if you have the cover for the loss or damage that has happened. This is a major problem area. You can only claim if the cause of your loss or damage is actually covered.
If you have read the section on policy cover and understand your policy, you can skip this bit. So many times, policyholders phone up and describe an event that has happened only to find that, whilst they have buildings or contents policy that the loss itself is not covered. And they do not understand why.
"Mr. X is in hospital and says I can use his car and take his wife
while he is there. What shall I do about it?"
Extracts taken from actual claim forms submitted to
a number of UK home insurance companies
Let me try and explain simply. There are essentially two types of cover. One is 'standard' (standard perils) the other is 'accidental damage' (all risks).
If you have the former, you must compare the cause of the loss with the list of perils you are covered for. Your contents policy might define that your three piece suite is part of your contents but if you spill paint on it and you only have standard cover, you cannot claim.
With accidental damage or all risks cover, you need to check the exclusions to see if your cause of loss is not covered. This small print lists those risks for which the insurer is not prepared to provide cover. If it is not listed, you are probably OK to claim. As so many more, smallish claims, are paid for with this type of cover, it costs a lot more than the standard cover.
