3 Stress-free tips on how to claim for household content insurance
Having your space invaded is never a pleasant scenario for anyone. Getting your household content insurance claim approved becomes your priority. Instead of trying it all alone, this guide will help you make the process as easy as possible for you.
Primarily it comes down to following these 3 simple steps:
- Contact the police
- Get hold of your insurer
- Gather enough evidence
Although these are the essentials, following these steps will give you a better chance of getting your insurance claim approved. It might not look that complicated, but in the moment, your mind is focusing on so many other things.
Stay calm and make sure you are thinking as clearly as possible. It is imperative that your safety always comes first. Don’t try and be the hero if someone is still in the house when you arrive.
1. Contact the Police
Call the police when you notice you have been burgled or are in the process of being burgled. They will be able to come assist you regardless of the situation.
Once the police have arrived, they will do two things:
- Secure the scene if the robbery is in process
- Confirm the burglary and begin to investigate
Once they have completed either of the above, they will issue you with a crime reference number. You should keep this number safe, to track the progress of the investigation.
2. Get hold of your Insurer
The claiming process starts here. Getting hold of your insurer gets you one step closer to getting all your stuff back. Either call the emergency number 086 111 1082 or push the 24/7 contact button on the Rodel 4U app.
Once you have spoken to your insurer and given them the crime reference number, they can keep track of the investigation. There may be an initial excess fee, which will be required before the claim can be processed.
Your insurer might ask you a couple of questions concerning the extent of the damage. If there was damage to your property, you might have to submit a building’s insurance claim as well.
3. Gather Enough Evidence
You may be wondering what evidence you must gather? Insurers require their proof, besides the information collected from the police. Essentially, this is to prove that the items you are claiming were in your possession.
Receipts, pictures, or anything else you can think of to show the item belonged to you. Speaking to your insurer will give you the best idea of what is accepted. The additional information will all help during the claiming process and getting your items returned.
Although these steps above are the best method for processing a claim, this vital pre-claiming checklist will prevent you from being stuck in a situation where your claim could be denied:
- Buy the right cover
- Read the fine print
- Correct maintenance
- Follow procedures
- Complete honesty
These need to be in place before you process a claim through your insurer. Some items might seem logical but can prevent your request from being processed. If not done correctly, you will find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.
Buy the Right Cover
When looking for the right cover, it is essential not to focus on one aspect. Yes, price is always important, but so are the items or amount covered. It’s still great if your premium is lower, but to what extent?
There are many multiple factors that one should consider when purchasing household content insurance. Take the time to do the correct research and make sure you know what your policy includes and excludes.
Speaking to your broker will ensure you get the cover you need. They will be able to answer any questions or concerns you might have. Process your information and let you know what your monthly insurance premium would be.
Read the Fine Print
You are now confident of the specific coverage you need. Now it’s time to make sure there are no hidden clauses or excluded items. Reading through your insurance contract will inform you of your total cover.
Your contract will also state the exact security requirements needed for a claim to be approved. For instance, if you do not have a locked gate by your front door, your claim can be denied. All the details will be in the fine print of your contract.
Take your time to understand each part of the contract. If you have any questions or need some additional information, ask your broker. That’s what they are there for, to help you stay informed.
Correct Maintenance
Correct maintenance is similar to security requirements. If you do not take proper maintenance procedures for your content. Your insurer could deny your claim. Insurers are not going to replace items because of your negligence.
This instance also includes a lack of responsibility. For example, if you leave your house and leave the front door wide open. Unfortunately, if someone breaks in, you will not be covered.
Proper care also rules out poor day-to-day maintenance. Therefore, a claim for water damage because you didn’t seal your window after two months. Your claim is likely to be denied because the damage could have been prevented.
Follow Procedures
When an incident occurs, and you need to put in a claim to your insurance broker. Following procedures is the best way to get your claim approved. The steps required to follow are in your policy document.
Before you phone the Rodel 4U emergency number or click on the assist button on the app, have your policy number handy. Together with your crime reference number that you received from the police earlier. These are essential to getting your claim processed.
Listening to your policy instructions are vital. If it is not an emergency, you shouldn’t do anything without consulting your insurer first. They will authorise the disposal or repair of anything as it will need to be assessed beforehand.
Complete Honesty
Tell the truth and nothing but the truth. The entire claim can be denied if your Insurer finds out that your story is untrue. This goes for the amount you are claiming as well. Don’t overvalue your household contents to get better items in return.
Telling the truth begins in the application phase. Insuring your valuables for the correct amount during the application phase is essential. The same goes for having the necessary security features. You would receive a definite denial on an insurance claim if you stated you had security features, which were not present during the incident.
Building an honest relationship with your insurance broker will make the claims process more manageable.
The Rodel 4U team can help with more than just household content insurance. Everything from your vehicle cover, personal insurance, and building insurance. Allowing you to insure all the vital aspects of within your life.
