Making a claim

If you find yourself having to claim on your home insurance policy, start by reading your policy booklet and making sure that you are covered for the loss or damage you have suffered. You should also check whether the claim comes under your buildings or contents insurance. If you are not sure, contact your insurer for advice.

The next step is to request a claim form from your insurance company. This form will need to be completed with estimates for repairs or replacements and returned as quickly as possible. Your insurer may ask to see the damaged items that you are claiming for so remember to keep hold of them.

If you have a 'new for old' insurance policy, you will be able to claim for the full cost of damaged or stolen items, but if you opted for a basic indemnity policy, an amount for ‘wear and tear’ will be deducted from any payout. In other words, older items won't be covered at their full replacement cost.

If emergency repairs need to be carried out to prevent further damage to your home, inform your insurer, arrange for the repair work to start and remember to keep hold of the bills as evidence of the repair costs.

Once your insurance company receives your claim with all the sufficient information, they will either:

• pay out compensation,
• arrange for a claims inspector to visit your home, or
• send a loss adjuster to assess the claim and advise the insurance company on how to settle the case

More information and advice on how to make a claim will be detailed in your insurance policy documentation.